First direct flight from Latin America in 25 years lands at Brussels Airport
Direct flights are operating between Brussels and Latin America for first time in more than 25 years, with the launch of Latam Airlines’ service to São Paulo, Brazil.
The last direct service to Latin America ended in 2000, and Brussels Airport has been trying to relaunch a passenger service for several years. Links with Latam have developed in recent years as the airline has been active in the cargo sector at Zaventem since 2023 and has established its European hub there.
The first flight, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, landed at Zaventem at around 10:30 on Tuesday and was scheduled to return shortly after 13:00. The journey takes just under 12 hours.
The launch was celebrated with a band and dancers in the airport’s departures hall.
From Wednesday, Brussels Airlines will launch a direct route to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, before Air Canada begins flying to Halifax from 19 June. The airport also hopes to fill other gaps in its intercontinental network, for example to San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, New Delhi and Seoul.
Latam Airlines' first flight from Brussels Airport, 2 June 2026 © BELGA PHOTO FREDERIK UREEL
Related news
