The Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro recorded an unprecedented 17.5 million passengers in 2025, according to data from the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac). This figure represents a significant growth of 23.5% compared to 2024, when the airport saw 14.2 million travelers. This new record surpasses the previous high of 16.9 million passengers noted in 2014, and encompasses both domestic and international routes associated with the airport.

The growth in passenger volume comes in the wake of imposed restrictions on operations at the city's other major airport, Santos Dumont, which has led to increased traffic at Galeão. The record figures were released ahead of a crucial auction for Galeão, set to take place on March 30 in São Paulo. Analysts believe this upcoming auction will attract competition, especially from entities beyond the current private operators managing the airport.

Furthermore, the auction's conditions state that Infraero, the state-owned enterprise, must exit its role in the operation, a move perceived as potentially increasing market interest in the concession. The exclusion of Infraero is expected to draw more bidders and create a more competitive environment, benefiting the airport's development and the broader aviation sector in Brazil.