Some of the main boarding and disembarking points for tourists in the country and the world, the airports of Maceió (AL), Recife (PE), and Juazeiro do Norte (CE) have surpassed passenger traffic from the pre-pandemic period. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Tourism and released this Wednesday (04.05), the terminals in the Alagoas and Pernambuco capitals recorded, respectively, in the first three months of this year, figures 12.9% and 3.15% higher than the same period in 2020. The Ceará airport recorded an increase of 10.6%.
According to the research, other airports in the Northeast region, such as Natal (RN), Salvador (BA), and Fortaleza (CE), are close to surpassing the figures recorded in the first quarter of 2020. The Potiguar terminal, for example, was only 1.4% below the passenger traffic recorded two years ago. Meanwhile, the airports in the Bahia and Ceará capitals are about 8% and 9%, respectively, lower than the pre-pandemic period.
The Minister of Tourism, Carlos Brito, highlighted the importance of the region for national tourism and what these numbers represent for the sector. “These are data that show the strength and dedication of our sector in resuming travel across the country, which generates jobs and development for various regions. In addition, of course, to demonstrating the interest and demand of Brazilians for travel, discovering or rediscovering the natural beauties of our region,” he said.
A study conducted by the Opinion Box Institute indicated that among the 10 most sought-after destinations for the summer, five were from the Northeast. Among the top ones are Recife (PE), Salvador (BA), and Fortaleza (CE). The list also included Maceió (AL), ranking 8th, and Natal (RN), shortly after. The northeastern capitals were also the main choices during the last holidays in the country, according to Booking.com – one of the largest travel booking platforms in the country.
DOUBLE THE PASSENGERS – Passenger traffic has also been increasing at other airports across the country. Data from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) indicated that more than 6.4 million people traveled via domestic flights in March. This number represents double the travelers recorded in the same period last year and is 16% higher than the previous month, in February, when 5.5 million people passed through the country’s airports.
Among the busiest, the terminals in Guarulhos and Viracopos stood out, together accounting for more than half of the total: 2.66 million and 962.1 thousand, respectively.
Source: www.gov.br, by Victor Maciel