Azul Airlines is taking flight and boosting Curaçao’s tourism industry to new heights. The Brazilian airline recently announced a significant expansion of its services to the stunning Caribbean island, introducing a highly anticipated new route connecting Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in South Florida to Curaçao International Airport (CUR). This new service, operating four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from FLL and Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from CUR, is set to dramatically increase accessibility for travelers from the US.
This exciting development follows an equally impressive expansion of Azul’s Brazilian routes. The airline has doubled its flights from Belo Horizonte Airport (CNF) to Curaçao, now offering four flights per week. This represents a dramatic increase since its initial launch in June 2023, starting with just one weekly flight and reaching two per week by the end of the year. This aggressive expansion clearly demonstrates Azul’s confidence in Curaçao’s growing tourism appeal and its commitment to connecting Brazil with this idyllic island destination.
Curaçao’s tourism sector is experiencing phenomenal growth. The island saw a remarkable 20% year-on-year increase in stayover arrivals in October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This impressive surge is part of a broader trend, with overall visitor numbers from January to October 2024 exceeding 1.2 million—a staggering 23% increase over 2023 figures, as reported by the Curaçao Tourist Board. This influx of tourists is not just a numbers game; it’s driving significant expansion in the island’s hospitality sector, with new hotels opening and existing properties enhancing their offerings to meet the growing demand.
The increased airlift provided by Azul is not the only factor contributing to Curaçao’s tourism success. Major airlines including Delta, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet, and Air Canada have all expanded their seasonal services to the island, further solidifying its position as a prime Caribbean destination. The combined effect of these increased flight options, coupled with Curaçao’s inherent beauty and appeal, is creating a perfect storm for sustained tourism growth.
The partnership between Azul Airlines and Curaçao represents a strategic win-win, with the airline capitalizing on a booming market while simultaneously playing a crucial role in propelling Curaçao’s economic growth through tourism. As the island continues to attract more visitors, its hospitality industry is poised for further expansion, creating a positive ripple effect across the local economy. The success story of Azul Airlines in Curaçao serves as a model for airlines seeking to tap into the burgeoning tourism markets of the Caribbean and Latin America.
