Brazilian business aviation records strongest growth since the pandemic

Brazilian business aviation is experiencing its strongest period of expansion since the pandemic. At a press conference held during LABACE 2026, Flávio Pires, CEO of the Brazilian General Aviation Association (Abag), the event organiser, presented figures confirming the sector’s rapid growth in the country.

Business aviation movements rise in 2026

In the first half of 2026, business aviation aircraft movements - the combined number of landings and take-offs - rose by 33%. This was the largest increase recorded since the pandemic period, when reduced commercial airline operations drove greater use of general aviation.

The segment is expected to finish the year with around 1.2 million landings and take-offs, exceeding the 1.1 million movements recorded in 2025.

A further sign of expansion is the ongoing growth of the national fleet. According to Flávio Pires, Brazil has added an average of 650 aircraft to business aviation each year for the past three and a half years. The country’s fleet currently stands at 11,362 aircraft.

For Abag’s CEO, these results indicate that the Brazilian market has entered a new stage of development.

“The growth in movements and the fleet shows that business aviation in Brazil is maturing. Today, we are not only talking about aircraft sales. The entire supply chain is growing alongside it. The sector’s expansion drives investment in maintenance, parts, hangars, private airports, aviation developments, training, specialist services and several other segments that support operations. It is a virtuous cycle that strengthens the entire business aviation ecosystem,” says Flávio Pires.

Executive jets lead fleet segment growth

Among the segments that recorded the strongest growth in the first half of 2026, executive jets led the way with an increase of 12.5%. They were followed by turbine helicopters, which grew by 7.6%, and turboprops, up 7.1%.

These indicators underline the sector’s positive momentum and help explain the business environment at LABACE 2026, Latin America’s largest business aviation exhibition, which runs until today, 6 August, at Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo.

LABACE 2026 brings together the business aviation supply chain

In its 21st edition, the exhibition brings together aircraft manufacturers, air operators, maintenance workshops, airport infrastructure companies, service providers, technology suppliers and representatives from across the business aviation supply chain. Over three days, the event features a static aircraft display, product presentations, business meetings and networking opportunities for companies and operators from Brazil and abroad.

Information from Abag