[Mexico City, September 2026] — Regional aviation trends are shifting toward domestic reliance as Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) reports a total of 8,656,117 passengers across its network for September 2026. While the overall figure represents a marginal decline of 3,039 passengers compared to the 8,659,156 recorded in September 2025, the data reveals a stark divide between internal connectivity and cross-border travel.

Domestic passenger volumes rose by 1.8%, totaling 6,431,646 travelers, effectively acting as a buffer against a 4.9% contraction in international movements, which fell to 2,224,471. This divergence suggests that while global travel demand is facing headwinds, regional mobility within the Americas remains resilient. The growth was primarily propelled by strong performances in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Ecuador, which counteracted losses seen in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Curaçao.

Colombia Emerges as Primary Growth Engine

Colombia has established itself as the fastest-growing market within the ASUR portfolio, posting a 5.7% increase in total passenger traffic to reach 1,474,663 in September 2026. Unlike other regions in the network, Colombia saw synchronized growth across both sectors, with domestic traffic climbing 5.9% and international movements expanding by 4.9%.

The José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro continues to be the cornerstone of the Colombian network, processing ,1177,591 passengers—a 4.8% year-on-year increase. However, the most aggressive growth occurred at the regional level; Montería Airport saw a surge of 23.0%, handling 137,368 passengers. This indicates a broadening of air travel access beyond primary gateways into secondary Colombian cities.

San Juan Airport Bolsters Puerto Rico Connectivity

Puerto Rico’s aviation sector showed signs of recovery in September 2026, centered on the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan. The facility handled 810,085 passengers, marking a 3.1% rise over September 2025. This growth was distributed between a 3.4% increase in domestic traffic (692,597 passengers) and a modest 1.1% rise in international arrivals (117,488 passengers).

Despite this monthly uptick, the long-term trajectory remains challenging. Cumulative traffic from January to September 2026 stands at 10,232,656 passengers, which is 2.9% lower than the figures recorded during the same period in 2025. This suggests that while September was a strong month, the island is still working to regain its previous annual passenger baselines.

Brazil Relies on Domestic Surges to Offset International Slumps

Brazil’s ASUR-operated facilities processed 2,892,969 passengers in September 2026, a 2.6% increase. However, the internal composition of this growth is highly skewed. While domestic traffic rose by 2.9% to 2,835,506 passengers, international movements plummeted by 11.5%, falling to just 57,463.

The growth in Brazil is characterized by explosive gains at specific regional hubs. Petrolina Airport led the way with a 38.9% increase, processing 50,805 passengers. Foz do Iguaçu Airport, a critical link for tourism to the Iguaçu Falls, grew by 29.0% to reach 234,668 passengers, while Londrina Airport saw a 22.6% rise with 66,764 passengers. These figures highlight a robust appetite for internal Brazilian travel despite a significant cooling of international interest.

Quito Airport Maintains International Edge in Ecuador

In contrast to the Brazilian model, Ecuador’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito saw international travel drive its modest growth. Total passenger traffic reached 443,670 in September 2026, a 1.7% increase over the previous year.

International movements grew by 3.2% to 228,668 passengers, while domestic traffic remained nearly flat, increasing by only 0.1% to 215,002. In Quito, international travelers now account for slightly more than half of the total airport throughput, positioning the facility as a vital international conduit rather than a domestic hub.

ASUR Network Performance Data September 2026

ASUR Passenger Traffic Category September 2026 Annual Change
Total Passengers 8,656,117 −0.04%
Domestic Passengers 6,431,646 +1.8%
International Passengers 2,224,471 −4.9%
January–September Passengers 57,151,121 −0.7%

Colombia Aviation Metrics

Colombia Indicator September 2026 Annual Change
Total Passenger Traffic 1,474,663 +5.7%
Domestic Passengers 1,150,643 +5.9%
International Passengers 324,020 +4.9%
Rionegro Airport 1,177,591 +4.8%
Montería Airport 137,368 +23.0%

Puerto Rico Aviation Metrics

Puerto Rico Indicator September 2026 Annual Change
Total Passenger Traffic 810,085 +3.1%
Domestic Passengers 692,597 +3.4%
International Passengers 117,488 +1.1%
January–September Passengers 10,232,656 −2.9%

Brazil Aviation Metrics

Brazil Indicator September 2026 Annual Change
Total Passenger Traffic 2,892,969 +2.6%
Domestic Passengers 2,835,506 +2.9%
International Passengers 57,463 −11.5%
Foz do Iguaçu Airport 234,668 +29.0%
Petrolina Airport 50,805 +38.9%
Londrina Airport 66,764 +22.6%

Why This Matters (Information Gain & Experience)

For the traveler, these statistics reveal a critical shift in how the Americas are being navigated in 2026. The surge in domestic traffic in Brazil and Colombia suggests that airlines are likely pivoting their capacity toward internal routes to compensate for the volatility of international markets. This often results in better connectivity and potentially more competitive pricing for regional flights, but may lead to reduced frequencies or higher costs for transborder travel.

From a logistical standpoint, the extreme growth in secondary airports like Montería and Petrolina indicates a "decentralization" of air travel. Passengers are increasingly bypassing major hubs in favor of direct regional access. For tourism operators, the data suggests that while "big-city" international tourism may be flagging, "hidden gem" regional destinations are seeing a renaissance. The stark contrast between Quito’s international-led growth and Brazil’s domestic-led growth proves that there is no single "Latin American trend," but rather a fragmented landscape where local economic conditions and airport infrastructure dictate success.

Recommended Read: