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Floripa Airport to be named the best airport in South America in 2026.
The best airport in South America in 2026 is located here in Florianópolis. Floripa Airport has won, for the first time, the title of South America's Leading Airport at the World Travel Awards, one of the main international tourism awards. The recognition was announced on October 11th, during a ceremony held in Jamaica. A new milestone for the airport infrastructure of the capital of Santa Catarina.
Operated by Zurich Airport Brasil, the Florianópolis International Airport outperformed major South American terminals and consolidated a trajectory of recognition that had already earned awards in Brazil. In March of this year, the airport also won, for the sixth consecutive time, the title of best in the country according to passenger ratings.
Now, Florianópolis is moving toward an even more significant contest: Floripa Airport is competing for the title of best airport in the world in 2026, with public voting open until October 30.
Floripa Airport named the best airport in South America
The achievement took place at the 33rd edition of the World Travel Awards, an international award created in 1993 and recognized for highlighting excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
The result was announced during the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2026, held on October 11 at the Princess Grand Jamaica.
In the South America’s Leading Airport 2026 category, Floripa Airport competed for recognition with major airports in the region, including Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília, RIOgaleão in Rio de Janeiro, El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, and Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima.
Also among the nominees were airport terminals from Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, and Uruguay. The award considers votes from tourism industry professionals and the public, bringing together different perspectives on the experience offered by the participants.
This victory marks Floripa Airport's first win in this category. It also strengthens Florianópolis's presence at an awards event that brings together some of the most internationally recognized tourist destinations and establishments.
For the capital of Santa Catarina, the result reinforces the importance of an infrastructure that keeps pace with the expansion of air connections and the experiences offered to those who visit the city.
From Brazil's Best Airport to International Recognition
This South American award follows a series of outstanding results in the ratings given by Brazilian passengers.
In March 2026, Floripa Airport received the title of Best Airport in Brazil for the sixth consecutive time at the 11th edition of the Aviação + Brasil awards, promoted by the National Civil Aviation Secretariat (SAC), linked to the Ministry of Ports and Airports.
The recognition considered passenger satisfaction throughout 2025, in a survey that evaluated the 20 largest airports in Brazil.
Florianópolis achieved an average score of 4.75 on a scale of 1 to 5, posting the best overall result among the terminals analyzed. It was also the only airport in the group to exceed the average of 4.7 during the period.
Another notable highlight was its leadership in 12 of the 20 indicators evaluated, which cover different stages of the airport journey, including infrastructure, customer service, and services.
Six Consecutive Wins Reflect Passenger Evaluations
The sequence of national recognitions began in 2020 and continued in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026, according to the history published at the March 2026 awards.
Among the standout indicators were the overall cleanliness of the terminal, as well as security procedures, the immigration process, and the experience in the commercial establishments.
Overall cleanliness scored 4.79, while the immigration process reached 4.74. Security screening procedures, in turn, received a rating of 4.67.
These results help explain the consistency of the experience offered by the airport. After all, passenger perception involves different moments of the journey, from arrival at the terminal to boarding.
The international recognition received in October builds on this trajectory and places the Santa Catarina airport in a new position of prominence within the South American landscape.
International Connections Expand Florianópolis's Reach
The evolution of Floripa Airport can also be seen in the expansion of its international connectivity.
In recent years, new routes and frequencies have been added to Florianópolis's network of destinations. As a result, they help make travel for tourism, business, and international trips easier.
Direct Flights Between Florianópolis and Lisbon
One of the milestones of this expansion was the arrival of TAP Air Portugal, which established a direct connection between Florianópolis and Lisbon.
The route, announced in 2024 with three weekly frequencies, opened a new option for travel between Santa Catarina and Europe.
Later, in February 2026, the airline announced a fourth weekly frequency, scheduled to begin in July of that same year.
We covered this expansion in the article about the increase in flight frequency between Florianópolis and Lisbon.
For passengers who travel abroad regularly, the availability of direct connections is an important convenience. At the same time, the link with Portugal broadens access to the capital of Santa Catarina for international visitors.
Connections to Central America
Connectivity with Central America is also part of this evolution.
The air link via Panama, discussed previously, expanded travel options between Florianópolis and international destinations connected to the region.
These routes help position the airport as an infrastructure of real relevance for tourism and business. In this context, the ease of international travel also becomes part of the experience for anyone who chooses Florianópolis as a frequent travel destination or as a place to live.
Infrastructure and Services Enhance the Experience of the Best Airport at Floripa Airport
The airport experience involves several aspects, such as circulation, service, comfort, and the availability of services.
Currently at Floripa Airport, this concept also takes shape in spaces that expand the possibilities of using the complex for passengers and visitors.
Boulevard 14/32 Brings Together Dining, Shopping, and Social Spaces
Located in front of the terminal, Boulevard 14/32 houses shops, restaurants, services, entertainment, and a calendar of events.
The space covers approximately 11,000 square meters and welcomes both passengers and visitors who wish to enjoy its facilities regardless of whether they are traveling.
In addition, the airport features a Panoramic Terrace, which offers views of the aircraft apron and adds leisure options to the complex.
This integration between the airport terminal and social spaces reflects a broader vision of hospitality, in which the travel environment also offers leisure experiences and convenience.
AMAE Lounge Expands Premium Service Options
Another 2026 highlight was the arrival of the AMAE Lounge at Florianópolis International Airport.
With operations starting in August, the space became part of the terminal's premium service offering, including private areas and solutions designed for passenger comfort.
The venue also offers service alternatives that meet different travel needs, especially for those who value privacy and convenience.
The debut was presented by the in the article about the AMAE Lounge at Florianópolis Airport.
The expansion of these services reflects the diversification of the airport experience, offering new options for passengers seeking comfort during their journeys.
Hilton Garden Inn expected for 2028
The airport complex also hosts new hospitality projects.
Among them is the Hilton Garden Inn Florianópolis, a development announced with a planned investment of BRL 94 million, a project of 288 guest rooms, and an expected opening in 2028.
This proposal adds a hotel structure to the airport surroundings, expanding lodging options for visitors and business travelers in transit.
The project is detailed in the content about the new Hilton Garden Inn planned for Floripa Airport.
Although still under development, the venture signals the continuation of investments linked to the airport complex and the demand for hospitality services.
Floripa Airport now competes for the title of best airport in the world
After earning South American recognition, Floripa Airport is taking part in a new stage of the World Travel Awards 2026.
The Florianópolis airport is among the nominees in the World’s Leading Airport 2026 category, which brings together terminals from different continents.
Among the competitors are internationally renowned airports, such as Dubai International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Istanbul Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
The nomination increases the visibility of the Santa Catarina terminal and represents an opportunity to compete for global recognition.
How to vote for Floripa Airport as best airport
Voting for the best airport in the world category remains open until October 30, 2026, as announced by Floripa Airport.
To participate, the public must access the official website of the World Travel Awards, follow the registration instructions and locate the World’s Leading Airport 2026 category.
Floripa Airport appears on the list of nominees as the Brazilian representative.
The global competition is still ongoing. Therefore, the recognition already confirmed is the title of best airport in South America, while the global result depends on the conclusion of the voting and the official announcement of the winners.
What does the best airport recognition mean for Florianópolis?
Floripa Airport's international achievement goes beyond the aviation sector and helps increase the visibility of Florianópolis as a tourism and business destination.
The quality of access infrastructure plays an important role in the experience of visitors, especially in cities that welcome tourists, professionals, and people interested in building long-term ties with the region.
In this context, an airport with international connections, diversified services, and recognition for the passenger experience adds a relevant attribute to the capital of Santa Catarina.
For those considering Florianópolis as a place to live, maintain a second home, or invest, air connectivity can also influence the perception of convenience.
The ability to travel to other urban centers, access international destinations, and rely on a qualified airport structure is part of the set of factors that make a location attractive.
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International infrastructure and the high-end real estate market
In the high-end real estate market, the decision to buy a property often involves characteristics that go beyond the residence itself.
Location, privacy, services, mobility, and quality of life make up this assessment. Likewise, ease of access to the city can be especially relevant for buyers who divide their time between different regions or countries.
The recognition of Floripa Airport contributes to this context by highlighting the quality of one of the main gateways to Florianópolis.
Although the award does not, by itself, prove real estate appreciation, it adds a positive element to the perception of the capital's urban and tourism infrastructure.
For a city that brings together different lifestyles, beaches, residential neighborhoods, and economic activities, international connectivity offers possibilities that appeal to an increasingly connected audience with ties to different destinations.
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Florianópolis expands its presence on the international stage
Winning the title of best airport in South America in 2026 represents a new chapter in the trajectory of Floripa Airport.
After six consecutive national recognitions, the terminal reaches an international award and now competes for the global title alongside airports of major renown.
This journey also reflects important transformations in the infrastructure of the capital of Santa Catarina, from the expansion of international connections to the arrival of new services and hospitality projects. For Florianópolis, the result reinforces the importance of investments that enhance the arrival experience in the city and expand its connection possibilities with the outside world.
The capital of Santa Catarina has attributes that attract visitors, residents, and investors. Within this combination, airport infrastructure holds a strategic place, especially for those who value mobility, convenience, and quality of life.
We follow these transformations and their impact on the experience of living and investing in Florianópolis, a city whose international profile is also growing through its infrastructure and its connections with the world.
The Development of Florianópolis and a New Horizon for Southern Brazil
The international recognition of Floripa Airport comes at a time of transformation for Florianópolis and stronger regional integration across Southern Brazil. The capital of Santa Catarina has been building an identity defined by urban organization, entrepreneurship, and a culture of coexistence that values respect for shared spaces.
This sense of civility also shows in everyday relationships, in community participation, and in the commitment to preserving quality of life. Although the city faces challenges inherent to its growth, Florianópolis has qualities that help explain its strong appeal.
On the regional stage, the coordination among Santa Catarina, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul through the Consórcio de Integração Sul e Sudeste (Cosud) opens the door to joint initiatives in infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. Cooperation among state governments can advance projects that go beyond administrative boundaries and strengthen the region's competitiveness.
For Florianópolis, this outlook is especially significant
After all, the city's future also depends on the quality of its connections with other economic centers, its capacity for planning, and the continuity of investment in infrastructure.
The outlook is promising, especially when economic development, safety, and quality of life move forward as complementary priorities. The achievement of Floripa Airport adds another recognition to this landscape of possibilities.
Quality of life and safety help explain the value of living in Florianópolis
There is a dimension of Florianópolis's real estate market that price-per-square-meter figures alone cannot capture. It lies in the everyday experience of living in a city where safety, tranquility, and neighborly relationships remain especially valued attributes.
In certain residential neighborhoods, this quality of life shows up in simple scenes: children riding bicycles, families walking the streets, neighbors who know each other by name, and a sense of belonging that transforms one's relationship with the place. These experiences recall the lifestyle of residential communities in developed countries and, in Florianópolis, still form part of everyday life in various areas.
Safety provides a concrete foundation for this perception. According to the Atlas da Violência 2026, Florianópolis recorded the lowest homicide rate among Brazilian capitals, with 9.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, based on 2024 data.
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After all, the freedom to enjoy one's own neighborhood, build lasting bonds, and savor a more peaceful routine represents a quality of life that is hard to find in large urban centers.
This combination helps explain why certain addresses in Florianópolis attract such strong interest and command high values per square meter. Safety, community living, and infrastructure quality are among the attributes considered when choosing a property, although prices also depend on location, supply, and the specific features of each property.
For those coming from other regions of Brazil or from abroad, Florianópolis can offer something especially desirable: the opportunity to build a life with comfort, privacy, and genuine ties to the community.
In this context, the international recognition of Floripa Airport adds a significant advantage. The city that offers this way of life also expands its connections with the world, bringing the tranquility of a residential community closer to the opportunities of an internationally connected capital.
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Count on our brokers and our specialized real estate advisors to find the perfect property and guarantee your peaceful living in [location]. Florianópolis. Our team operates with the concept of a Boutique of Service, offering a highly personalized and bilingual experience.
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We select properties that perfectly fit your current life stage, considering aspects such as your routine with children, suggestions for schools, sports, businesses, special activities, and the dynamics of each neighborhood — always with a sensitive eye to your needs and preferences. In other words, from the search to the negotiation, we are by your side every step of the way.
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I am a specialist in luxury real estate, high-end properties, and real estate investments in Southern Brazil. Recognized for my premium and bilingual service, I accompany each client from the initial search to the delivery of the keys, connecting buyers and investors to the most exclusive developments on the island, from Jurerê Internacional to Campeche, passing through Cacupé, João Paulo, and Praia Brava. Founder of Luxury Home Floripa, I have accumulated over R$320 million in sales over five years of experience in the high-end real estate market. Here I share analyses of the luxury market in Florianópolis, high-end launches, appreciation trends, and everything a discerning buyer needs to know before making a significant asset decision. I also share insights and news about the lifestyle surrounding this universe: the nautical world, gastronomy, events, sports, and everything that connects Florianópolis to the world of high-end real estate.
