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Direct flight to New York reinforces RIOgaleão's return as an international gateway.
Published on 08/07/2026 - 22:58 | Updated
New connection consolidates growth in passenger and flight traffic at the International Airport. Photo: Marco Antonio Lima Rio de Janeiro has taken another step to strengthen its position as Brazil's main international gateway. This Wednesday (July 8th), GOL operated its inaugural non-stop flight between Tom Jobim International Airport (Galeão) and John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York. The new route, with three weekly frequencies, expands the city's connection with one of the world's most important economic and tourist centers and reinforces the strategic role of RIOgaleão as the airline's new international hub and the evolution of the travel experience offered to customers, with the inauguration of the new Business INSIGNIA by GOL class.
The ceremony celebrating the inaugural flight was attended by the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Cavaliere, Celso Ferrer, CEO of GOL, the president of RIOgaleão, Alexandre Monteiro, and the president of Invest Rio, Sidney Levy.
"We announced the partnership between the city hall and Rio Galeão, and it was GOL, along with American Airlines, that decided to operate this route. Besides offering more accessible flights, because you have more flight options, it also ensures this route will be available year-round. That's why the city hall decided to create this fund back then to encourage new destinations, and today we're arriving at a strategic and very important destination with the first Rio-New York flight, operated by a Brazilian airline on a plane capable of covering these great distances, proudly carrying the Brazilian flag and the spirit of Rio," stated Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere.
GOL also announced that Lisbon will be the next long-haul international destination from Galeão Airport, with flights scheduled to begin in September.
“We believe in the great growth potential of tourism in our country, and Rio de Janeiro plays a fundamental role as an important gateway to Brazil and Latin America. A stunning and revered destination, it will now be even closer to the world with the inauguration of our long-haul flights to New York, which also boost new intelligent services offered to our customers, both in terms of travel experience and loyalty,” said Celso Ferrer, CEO of Gol.
The resumption of RIOgaleão's international expansion is the result of joint work between the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, the federal and state governments, and the airport sector to rebalance the city's air network, enhancing the airport's international vocation. The redistribution of domestic flights between Tom Jobim and Santos Dumont airports has allowed Rio to recover its connectivity with the outside world, boosting tourism, attracting investment, and generating jobs.
"We will continue working to expand our connectivity and improve operations, strengthening RIOgaleão as the main gateway to Rio and Brazil for the world," said Alexandre Monteiro, president of Riogaleão.
With the reopening of RIOgaleão airport, the number of passengers at Rio's airports has increased.
Between January and May 2026, Rio's airports handled 10,8 million passengers, a growth of 12,7% compared to the same period in 2025 and 35,3% compared to 2024.
Between January and May 2026, Rio's airports handled 10,8 million passengers, a growth of 12,7% compared to the same period in 2025 and 35,3% compared to 2024.
RIOgaleão was the main driver of this growth. In the first five months of this year, the airport received 8,1 million passengers, a 15,8% increase over 2025 and a significant 45,3% increase compared to 2024. In the international market, there were 2,9 million passengers, a 16,5% increase compared to last year and a 52,8% increase compared to 2024. In domestic flights, traffic reached 5,2 million passengers, a 15,4% increase compared to the previous year.
The recovery is also evident in the availability of flights. Between January and May of this year, Rio's airport system recorded 75,6 air operations, an increase of 8,2% over 2025. Galeão Airport alone accounted for 52 flights during this period, a growth of 12,6% compared to last year and 36,7% compared to 2024, consolidating its recovery as the city's main international airport.
Meanwhile, Santos Dumont Airport began operating within its regional vocation. The terminal recorded stability in the number of flights, reflecting the process of redistributing the air network, which allowed for the expansion of the operational and international capacity of RIOgaleão.
Timetable for the new Rio-New York flight
GOL's new route between Rio and New York will have three weekly flights, departing from Galeão Airport on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 9:55 PM, and arriving at John F. Kennedy Airport at 6:55 AM the following day. Return flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing from New York at 11:00 PM and landing in Rio at 9:55 AM.
"New York is the financial capital of the world, so this direct connection with them is important. We are extremely happy that Gol accepted this challenge and will be operating this route starting today," said Sidney Levy, president of Invest Rio.
In addition to facilitating the flow of tourists and business travelers between the two cities, the new operation expands the possibilities for international connections, strengthens the business environment in Rio de Janeiro, and helps consolidate the city as one of the main tourist and economic destinations in the Americas.
