Uruguay set for 17.9% more international flights in winter 2026-27

Uruguay is launching a public-private fund worth up to US$2.5 million a year to reward airlines that bring measurable growth in international visitor numbers. The scheme, financed by the country's Tourism Ministry and airport operator Aeropuertos Uruguay, comes as the country prepares for a significant expansion in international flight capacity.

Key facts

• Up to US$2.5 million annually committed to a new air connectivity fund
• Payments are based on additional foreign tourists carried to Uruguay, assessed every six months against the same period a year earlier
• Eligible domestic and international airlines must be authorised by Uruguay's National Civil Aviation and Aviation Infrastructure Directorate
• The scheme starts as a one-year programme but renews automatically, potentially running for up to four years
• Airlines must submit passenger figures, route details and travellers' countries of origin

How does the fund work?

Rather than paying carriers simply for adding flights, the fund rewards eligible domestic and international airlines for demonstrable increases in inbound tourism. Payments will be calculated on the number of additional foreign tourists transported to Uruguay, with results checked every six months against the corresponding period a year earlier.

To take part, airlines must supply passenger figures, route information and the countries of origin of their travellers. They must also hold the required authorisation from Uruguay's National Civil Aviation and Aviation Infrastructure Directorate.

Tourism Minister Pablo Menoni said the programme was designed to reward growth by tying financial support directly to increases in international visitor numbers.

How much capacity is coming?

OAG Schedules Analyser data indicates airlines are planning approximately 774,500 international departure seats from Uruguay for the winter 2026-27 season, up 17.9% from around 656,900 a year earlier.

Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport accounts for roughly 689,000 of those seats, an increase of 15.3%. Punta del Este International Airport is growing faster, with scheduled international departure capacity up 43.8% to about 85,500 seats.

Brazil remains the largest market by scheduled capacity, with more than 302,000 departure seats, up 26.2% year over year. Argentina follows with about 106,600 seats, ahead of Spain with 91,900, Panama with 79,700 and Chile with 79,200.

Which new routes are planned?

JetSmart is adding Montevideo services to Santiago and Recife, while LATAM Airlines is introducing a Montevideo–Asunción route. Iberia plans limited Montevideo–Barcelona flights alongside its Madrid operation, and Arajet is scheduled to serve Punta del Este from Punta Cana.

Other additions include a Montevideo–Porto Alegre link and services connecting Punta del Este with Belo Horizonte and São Paulo Viracopos.

What this means for travellers

The fund and the wider capacity growth point to more scheduled options for reaching Uruguay in the coming season, particularly from Brazil, Argentina and Spain. Travellers can compare the new Montevideo and Punta del Este services as schedules for winter 2026-27 are published.

Uruguay recorded 3,604,488 international visitors in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourism.

The fund also supports Uruguay's ambition to strengthen regional aviation connectivity. Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay signed a memorandum of understanding in July setting out a roadmap towards progressively opening their aviation markets, and Uruguay is expected to join once it completes its domestic administrative procedures.