Air cargo growth in Latin America is becoming more selective and more demanding, as the real competition is shifting towards high-value segments such as pharmaceuticals and technology. There are infrastructure, compliance and visibility which matter as much as capacity. For airports, the question is no longer how much cargo they can handle, but whether they are equipped to handle the right kind. That shift is most visible in Brazil, where Viracopos International Airport is repositioning itself around pharmaceuticals, technology cargo and express flows.
“Viracopos International Airport stands out as Brazil’s largest air cargo hub, and one of the largest in South America, handling approximately one-third of all cargo arriving in Brazil by air,” Maria Fan, the airport’s chief commercial officer, said. “Among its key differentiators are its strategic location, less than an hour from the capital of São Paulo, in the country’s most important technology hub, where more than 500 global and domestic companies are based; its modern, efficient infrastructure, built to support the operation of cargo aircraft of all categories and to receive and store high-value cargo; and specialized 24/7 services for various industry segments, provided by a highly skilled team.”
The airport recorded 12.2 percent year-on-year cargo growth in the first quarter of 2026, with increases across imports, exports, express and domestic flows. Yet this expansion is being drivenmore by specific commodities, particularly pharmaceuticals and high-tech goods.
“Viracopos’ international flight network features approximately 600 monthly cargo flights, connecting all continents via direct flights and connections,” Fan added.
The main strategic priority for the coming months is the construction of a new centre dedicated exclusively to the storage of pharmaceutical cargo. This new terminal, called VCP Pharma, will aim to double the current cold chain capacity to meet the growing global demand for temperature-sensitive products.
“The strategy focuses on consolidating Viracopos as the international and national hub for healthcare and technology logistics, transforming the airport site into a complete distribution ecosystem for Brazil and Latin America, facilitating international trade with agility and maximum security,“ she continued.
Pharma demand
Healthcare logistics has emerged as a defining growth driver, as the segment demands strict temperature control, regulatory compliance and real-time visibility. At Viracopos, pharmaceutical imports have expanded rapidly, reflecting both domestic demand and Brazil’s reliance on international supply chains.
“There has been a notable increase in demand for this segment, which has been one of the main drivers of imports through Viracopos. The domestic market is booming, driving the need for healthcare logistics capable of safely and efficiently moving high-value-added cargo,” Fan said.
Europe, the United States, and Asia are the main export markets for Brazil, supplying high-cost medications, biologics, immunological products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are among the types with the highest recent growth in demand, as well as hospital and scientific research equipment.
The response has been targeted investment rather than general expansion. A new dedicated facility, VCP Pharma, is due to come online in late 2026, designed to double cold chain capacity and consolidate handling into a single, controlled environment.
Digital visibility
As cargo becomes more specialised, operational visibility is moving from a differentiator to a baseline requirement. For pharmaceuticals in particular, data integrity and traceability are as critical as physical handling conditions. Viracopos has invested heavily in this area.
“Digitalisation is fundamental to the modernisation and agility of operations,” Fan stated.
The airport’s CORE Cargo platform integrates operational data into a single interface, allowing stakeholders to monitor shipments across the handling process. The next phase, including thermal telemetry for pharmaceutical storage, points to a deeper integration of data and compliance.
“Continuous investment in operational systems ensures data integration and differentiated handling of goods. This transparency reduces operational bottlenecks and boosts the confidence of importers and exporters, providing a smart logistics experience where information tracks the cargo at every stage of the airport flow,“ she explained.
At the same time, the growth of e-commerce is adding a parallel layer of complexity. Express shipments require speed and volume handling, often in tension with the controlled processes needed for pharmaceuticals. Viracopos has responded by segregating flows, launching a dedicated express terminal operating around the clock, with further expansion planned.
“The airport faces the constant challenge of expanding its physical and operational capacity to support the rapid growth in demand, while also needing to comply with strict regulations. However, Viracopos is always attentive to market trends and proactive in expanding its storage capacity and infrastructure, as well as diversifying services and modernising systems,” Fan expressed.
The construction of four new warehouses dedicated to cross border express shipments in 2024-2025 and the new VCP Pharma terminal in 2026 are examples of this strategic vision.
In the regulatory arena, the challenge is to maintain seamless coordination with the various regulatory agencies (Federal Revenue Service, Anvisa, Vigiagro), ensuring the cargo terminal’s logistical efficiency. As an example, the implementation of solutions such as Transhipment, which allows for the direct transfer of cargo between two other countries using Viracopos as a hub, whether by air or multimodal transport, reducing logistics costs for the market.
“As for competition, Viracopos stands out for its specialisation and continues to raise the level of service to retain and attract new customers seeking security for high-value cargo, supported by its specialised infrastructure, which is unmatched in the region,” Fan outlined.
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Author: Edward Hardy
