Routes Americas, the premier event connecting decision-makers from airlines, airports, and destinations to shape the region’s air route networks, will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 3-5, 2026.

As the 2025 edition concluded, the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, in partnership with Nassau Airport Development Company and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, officially handed over hosting responsibilities to RIOgaleão Airport, Rio de Janeiro City Hall, Invest Rio, and Visit Rio.

Brazil’s travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute $194.6 billion to the country’s GDP by 2034, according to a World Travel and Tourism Council study. To support this growth, Rio de Janeiro has enhanced its transport and tourism infrastructure. RIOgaleão – Rio de Janeiro International Airport – connects the city to over 50 domestic and international destinations. As Brazil’s second-largest city and a major Latin American hub, Rio boasts a diversified economy across industries like energy, telecommunications, tourism, and entertainment.

Routes Americas has a proven track record of influencing air route development, with over half of the world’s new air services linked to meetings at its events. In 2026, the event will host VPs and Heads of Network Planning from over 90 airlines, continuing its impact on connectivity across the Americas.

At the handover ceremony, Steven Small, Director of Routes, highlighted the success of the 2025 edition: “This year’s event saw our largest-ever airline attendance and exhibition for Routes Americas, underscoring the vital role Routes Americas plays in shaping air connectivity across the region.”

Small added: “Rio has a proven track record of hosting globally significant events, including the Olympics in 2016 and most recently the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Routes Americas will support the city’s objective to attract even more international events, promote tourism and secure investment through the role it will play in driving air connectivity.”

“RIOgaleão has attended Routes events for the past 10 years and we are delighted to finally host Routes Americas 2026 ourselves. It is a unique opportunity to showcase the destination Rio de Janeiro to airline delegates from all over the world. RIOgaleão is the main gateway for tourism to Brazil and offers plenty of growth opportunities for our airline partners”, said Alexandre Monteiro, CEO of RIOgaleão.

“The aviation sector plays a vital role in promoting the destination and strengthening the local economy. Securing Routes Americas reflects our commitment to expanding Rio de Janeiro’s air connectivity and enhancing the business environment for the Visit Rio Convention Bureau. With a more robust air network, we’ll have even greater capacity to attract investments and position Rio on the map for the world’s most important events,” celebrated Carlos Werneck, CEO of Visit Rio.

“We know rebuilding has not been easy, but by working together with the Federal Government and Galeão Airport, we’ve seen remarkable results. Rio is once again successfully hosting the world’s most important events. And this is something we do well. We have robust infrastructure and unmatched hospitality. The Routes event will undoubtedly thrive here, bringing new routes and airlines to the city,” said Mayor Eduardo Paes.

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