{
  "id": 8611191,
  "title": "All the direct flight routes from Europe to Central and South America",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/all-the-direct-flight-routes-from-europe-to-central-and-south-america",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-20T05:00:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/09/20/all-the-direct-flight-routes-from-europe-to-central-and-south-america"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Direct flight routes from Europe to Central and South America saw a surge in 2025, as reported by the UN Tourism. Brazil led the pack, with 9.3 million international tourists, followed by Colombia with 6.2 million and Chile with 6 million visitors. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain was the most connected hub for these destinations, with airlines like Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM, and others operating direct flights from various European cities.\n\nIn Brazil, São Paulo's main airport was the primary entry point for European travelers, with LATAM, TAP Portugal, Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Air France, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines serving the route. Rio de Janeiro could be reached via São Paulo or directly, with TAP Portugal, Iberia, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, ITA Airways, and British Airways offering non-stop services.\n\nColombia's capital, Bogotá, was the main gateway, with Avianca, Air France, Lufthansa, Edelweiss Air, KLM, and Turkish Airlines operating direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Istanbul. Cartagena, a UNESCO-listed city, was served by Plus Ultra, World2Fly, KLM, and Edelweiss Air from Madrid, and Neos from Rome and Milan.\n\nChile, known for its Patagonian landscapes and stargazing spots, had Santiago as its primary entry point, with Iberia, Air France, British Airways, and LATAM flying directly from Madrid and Barcelona. Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, was popular among tourists seeking diverse landscapes and a jumping-off point for Antarctica visits, with Aerolineas, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and ITA Airways offering direct flights from Madrid, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome.\n\nPeru's Machu Picchu drew around 3.4 million tourists, with Lima being the main entry point, served by Iberia, Air France, KLM, Air Europa, LATAM, and Plus Ultra from Madrid. El Salvador's archaeological sites, beaches, and volcanoes saw 3.4 million visitors, with San Salvador being the main airport hub, with Iberojet and Iberia serving the route.\n\nCosta Rica's national parks and biodiversity attracted 2.9 million tourists, with San José being the primary entry point, with Iberia, Iberojet, Edelweiss Air, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways flying directly from various European cities. Guatemala's Mayan archaeological sites, Lake Atitlán, and colonial architecture were visited by 2.5 million people, with direct flights available from Madrid to Guatemala City via Iberia.\n\nUruguay, known for its beaches and quieter pace of life, welcomed 2.5 million tourists, with San José being the main entry point via Iberia, Iberojet, and Plus Ultra from Madrid and Barcelona. Panama, with its Panama Canal and stunning waterfalls, attracted 2.3 million visitors, with direct flights from Madrid to Panama City via Air Europa and Iberia, as well as direct flights from Paris via Air France and Amsterdam via KLM.",
  "summary": "With tourism numbers up 37% in Brazil and 24% in Guyana, more and more travellers are heading to Central and South America.",
  "key_points": [
    "Brazil led with 9.3 million international tourists to Central and South America in 2025.",
    "Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain was the most connected hub for European flights."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in direct flights from Europe to Central and South America solidifies the region's growing appeal to European tourists, with Brazil, Colombia, and Chile emerging as top destinations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}