LABACE 2026: Record Attendance, Major Deals and Bombardier’s Return to Campo de Marte
The 21st edition of Latin America’s largest business aviation show welcomed 17,200 visitors and showcased a growing Brazilian market, with new business jets, technologies, deals, and investments in support and infrastructure
by Herbert Monfre | MORE THAN FLY (MAIS QUE VOAR)
LABACE 2026 came to an end in São Paulo with a clear message: Brazilian business aviation is entering a new phase of growth.
Held from August 4 to 6, 2026, at Campo de Marte Airport in Ṣo Paulo, the 21st edition of LABACE РLatin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition welcomed 17,200 visitors, a 23% increase compared with the 14,000 recorded in 2025.
In addition to the record attendance, organizers estimate that the 2026 edition generated approximately US$200 million in business, although the figure was still being finalized when the results were released.
For three days, Campo de Marte once again became a meeting point for aircraft manufacturers, operators, business owners, pilots, maintenance companies, technology providers, service companies, sales representatives and professionals from across the business aviation industry.
But LABACE 2026 went beyond the numbers.
The show marked Bombardier's return to the static display, brought the Challenger 3500 to the Brazilian audience, placed the Cessna Citation Latitude among the highlights of TAM Aviação Executiva's static display, introduced the new-generation Daher TBM 980 to the Brazilian market, marked the arrival of the HondaJet Elite II in the country, and showcased a business aviation sector increasingly driven by automation, connectivity, safety and operational efficiency.
For MORE THAN FLY, the 2026 edition also represented another chapter in a story that has now spanned 16 years.
MORE THAN FLY: 16 Years Covering LABACE
MORE THAN FLY relationship with LABACE began in 2010.
Since then, the portal has covered Latin America's leading business aviation show in person, documenting aircraft, manufacturers, new products and the transformations that have shaped the Brazilian market.
MORE THAN FLY was founded in April 2008 and has surpassed 2 million visits, building over the years an extensive content archive dedicated to Brazilian and international aviation.
LABACE itself dates back even further. Its first edition was held in 2003 in São Paulo, bringing together ABAG and NBAA for an event dedicated to business aviation in Latin America.
In 2006, the show was not held because of expansion and improvement works at Congonhas Airport. The event returned the following year and subsequently went through different configurations before reaching its current format at Campo de Marte.
When MORE THAN FLY began covering LABACE in person in 2010, the show was still being held at Congonhas.
Sixteen years later, the difference is evident.
Sixteen years later, the difference is evident.
Technology has changed, aircraft have evolved, new manufacturers have gained ground, and the Brazilian market has become increasingly strategic for the global industry.
In this sense, LABACE 2026 was a snapshot of that transformation.
17.200 Visitors Highlight the Strength of the Brazilian Market
The figures presented at the end of LABACE help explain the environment found at Campo de Marte.
The show welcomed 17,200 visitors, compared with 14,000 in 2025.
The 23% increase comes at a time of strong expansion in Brazilian business aviation.
During the show, the Brazilian Association of General Aviation (ABAG) presented data showing that business aviation aircraft movements increased by 33% in the first half of 2026, considering takeoffs and landings.
The association expects Brazil to surpass 1.2 million takeoffs and landings throughout 2026.
In 2025, approximately 1.1 million movements were recorded.
Another important indicator is the fleet.
Brazil reached 11,362 aircraft, according to figures presented by ABAG during the event. Over the past three and a half years, the country has added an average of approximately 650 aircraft per year.
This growth does not occur in isolation.
As more aircraft enter service, demand also increases for maintenance, parts, hangars, training, insurance, airport infrastructure, aircraft management, connectivity and specialized services.
That is precisely the ecosystem brought together by LABACE.
Bombardier Returns to the Static Display
One of the most significant moments of LABACE 2026 was Bombardier's return to the show's static display after several years away.
The Canadian manufacturer brought the Challenger 3500 to Campo de Marte, one of the leading aircraft in the super-midsize business jet segment.
The presence was particularly significant for those who have followed LABACE for many years.
After a period without a Bombardier aircraft in the static display, the manufacturer's return in 2026 once again placed one of the world's leading business jet manufacturers on the show's ramp.
The participation was part of a Latin American tour featuring the Challenger 3500 and visiting several strategic markets across the region.
The aircraft displayed in São Paulo combines a premium cabin with performance designed for medium- and long-range operations.
The Challenger 3500 has a range of approximately 3,400 nautical miles, or about 6,300 kilometers, and a maximum speed of Mach 0.83.
With these capabilities, Bombardier positions the aircraft for nonstop connections between major business centers, including routes such as São Paulo–Bogotá and São Paulo–Panama City.
The manufacturer also highlights the aircraft's operating efficiency as well as its cabin comfort and technology.
Customer Support Is Also Part of the Strategy
Bombardier's presence at LABACE 2026 was not limited to the aircraft on display.
The manufacturer also highlighted its support infrastructure for Latin American operators.
In Brazil, the network includes MAGA Aviation at Catarina International Airport in São Roque, São Paulo, as an Authorized Service Center.
The facility provides line maintenance, parts and tooling for the Global, Challenger and Learjet families.
For the region, Bombardier also operates its Miami Opa-Locka service center in the United States.
The strategy reflects an increasingly important characteristic of the Brazilian market: selling an aircraft is only the beginning of the customer relationship.
TAM Aviação Executiva: LABACE's Largest Exhibitor
If one company visually dominated the static display at LABACE 2026, it was TAM Aviação Executiva.
For the ninth consecutive year, the company was the largest exhibitor at the show, bringing eight aircraft to Campo de Marte.
The lineup represented virtually the entire spectrum of its portfolio: business jets, turboprops, a piston aircraft and helicopters.
The aircraft on display included:
- Cessna Citation Latitude
- Cessna Citation CJ3+
- Cessna Citation M2
- Beechcraft King Air 360
- Cessna Grand Caravan EX
- Cessna Turbo Skylane
- Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
- Bell 429
The strategy reinforces TAM Aviação Executiva's positioning as a one-stop-shop operation, bringing together aircraft sales, maintenance, training, airport services, hangaring, charter, aircraft management and administration.
The Citation Latitude Was One of the Highlights
During MORE THAN FLY coverage of LABACE 2026, we visited the TAM Aviação Executiva booth and were warmly received by Luana Magalhães, who presented the company's space and aircraft.
Among the models that attracted the most attention was the Cessna Citation Latitude.
The Latitude displayed at the event, registration N475CL, is a Cessna demonstration aircraft used for presentations to potential customers and is currently part of a tour through Brazil.
The aircraft features updated avionics and a cabin configuration prepared according to Cessna's demonstration standards, including its design, finishes and upholstery.
The Citation Latitude is one of the leading products in the Citation family for the midsize business jet segment.
The aircraft accommodates two pilots and up to nine passengers, and features Garmin G5000 avionics and a flat-floor cabin.
N475CL: The Demonstration Aircraft Touring Brazil
The aircraft is being used by Cessna as part of a demonstration and sales presentation strategy in the Brazilian market.
During LABACE, the aircraft attracted attention precisely because it allowed potential buyers to experience the current configuration of the aircraft firsthand.
According to the commercial information presented for the aircraft, its price reaches approximately US$23.8 million, with delivery scheduled for the third quarter of 2028, under the commercial conditions corresponding to the configuration offered.
The figure is particularly relevant because it demonstrates how the Brazilian market continues to receive manufacturer demonstration aircraft, allowing prospective customers to experience the models before making purchasing decisions.
TAM Closes LABACE with 12 Aircraft Sold
Another figure that attracted attention during the closing of the show was the commercial result announced by TAM Aviação Executiva.
On the final day of LABACE 2026, the company announced on its large external display that it had reached a total of 12 aircraft sold during the event.
More than an aircraft exhibition, the show functions as a major meeting point for manufacturers, representatives, operators and potential buyers.
The completion of 12 aircraft sales by TAM during the three-day event demonstrates how negotiations initiated before the show can reach completion during the exhibition.
TAM Celebrates International Safety Certifications
The 2026 edition also marked an important achievement for TAM Aviação Executiva in operational safety.
The company announced that it had simultaneously obtained IS-BAH and IS-BAO Stage 3 certifications, awarded by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).
According to the company, TAM became the only company in Latin America to simultaneously hold the third level of both certifications.
IS-BAH focuses on ground handling operations, while IS-BAO covers flight operations and safety management.
The certifications represent an important step forward because they demonstrate that safety concepts are incorporated not only into operational procedures but also into the company's management structure.
TAM Expands Its Maintenance Services
The company's growth strategy also extends to maintenance.
In 2026, TAM expanded its Mobile Service Center structure, with new units in Brazil's Southeast, South and Central-West regions.
The objective is to allow certain inspections, repairs and maintenance activities to be performed away from the aircraft's main base, reducing positioning flights and downtime.
The company also expanded its activities in high-speed connectivity for business aircraft, including satellite-based internet systems.
For certain aircraft models, installation requires Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) approved by ANAC, Brazil's civil aviation authority.
Daher Introduces the New-Generation TBM 980
Another major highlight of LABACE 2026 came from Daher Aircraft.
The manufacturer introduced the TBM 980 to the Brazilian market, the latest generation of its high-performance single-engine turboprop family.
The first TBM 980 destined for a Brazilian customer was delivered during the event.
The aircraft represents a significant evolution of the TBM family and incorporates the new Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics system, featuring three 14-inch touchscreen displays.
The TBM 980 can reach a maximum cruise speed of 610 km/h, or 330 knots, with a published maximum range of 3,204 kilometers.
The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine paired with a five-blade Hartzell propeller and FADEC.
A Second TBM 980 Was Also Announced
Daher's presence in Brazil gained even greater relevance when businessman Cesar Augusto Olsen, founder of Olsen Indústria e Comércio S/A, announced the acquisition of another TBM 980.
The businessman previously operated a TBM 850 and decided to move to the new generation.
According to Olsen, the TBM has become an important tool for business travel involving different regions of Brazil.
The case illustrates an important characteristic of the Brazilian market: for business owners who need to cover long distances, a business aircraft is not necessarily just a means of transportation.
It can function as a productivity tool.
Daher Expands Its Support Network in Brazil
The expansion of the TBM fleet is also driving changes in the support infrastructure.
During LABACE, Daher announced that UP Aviation, at Pampulha Airport in Belo Horizonte, and Aeromecânica, with facilities in Curitiba and Ponta Grossa, had joined its authorized service center network.
The new facilities join América do Sul in Sorocaba and Voar Aviation in Uberlândia.
The strategy creates a support network distributed primarily across Brazil's Southeast, South and Central regions.
Daher also announced that its own facility in Pompano Beach, Florida, had begun the certification process with ANAC to support Brazilian-registered TBM and Kodiak aircraft.
Today, approximately 60 TBM aircraft of different variants are operating in Brazil.
HondaJet Elite II Certified in Brazil
Another important moment at LABACE 2026 was the arrival of the HondaJet Elite II in the Brazilian market.
Honda Aircraft Company announced the first delivery of the model in Brazil following its type certification by ANAC.
The certification allows the Elite II to be registered and officially operated in the country.
The model has a published NBAA IFR maximum range of 1,547 nautical miles and incorporates improvements in performance, comfort and automation.
Among its features is autothrottle, which assists with automatic engine power management.
The aircraft continues to be marketed in Brazil by Lider Aviação, HondaJet's authorized representative.
According to the company, including the latest sale, Lider has supported nine HondaJet deliveries in Brazil since 2017.
Cirrus Brings Vision Jet G3 and New-Generation SR22
Cirrus Aircraft also used LABACE 2026 to showcase the evolution of its product lineup.
The manufacturer presented the Vision Jet Generation 3, as well as the SR22T G7+ and SR22T G7.
The Vision Jet G3 received a redesigned cabin and new features aimed at improving comfort, connectivity and safety.
The SR family, meanwhile, highlighted the Safe Return Emergency Autoland system, which can automatically land the aircraft in an emergency under certain conditions.
The presence of these systems in general aviation demonstrates how advanced automation is moving beyond the most sophisticated business aviation segments.
Flight Safety Took Center Stage Before the Show Opened
One of the most relevant events in the parallel program took place before LABACE officially opened.
On August 3, the day before the exhibition, ABAG held its 2nd Flight Safety Meeting at Campo de Marte.
The event focused on human factors, mental health and operational safety, particularly in single-pilot operations.
Among the initiatives presented was ABAG Valorizando a Vida (AVV), a program designed to support pilots during the planning and execution of operations.
The initiative is based on an important observation: in single-pilot operations, the professional may be responsible for multiple tasks involving planning, weather, logistics, fueling and aircraft preparation.
Reducing workload and improving operational organization is also a way of increasing safety.
FlightSafety Celebrates 75 Years
LABACE 2026 also served as the stage for a historic celebration by FlightSafety International.
The company celebrated 75 years as one of the world's leading references in pilot and crew training.
TAM Aviação Executiva, FlightSafety's representative in Brazil since 2003, held a tribute during the event.
The ceremony brought together executives from both companies and reinforced the importance of continuous training in an industry where aircraft and systems are becoming increasingly complex.
Not All Major Manufacturers Were Present in the Static Display
The configuration of LABACE 2026 also drew attention because of who was not on the ramp.
Embraer, Dassault and Gulfstream did not bring aircraft to the 2026 static display while participating in another important event on Brazil's aviation calendar, the Catarina Aviation Show.
Their absence did not diminish LABACE's scale, but it changed the composition of the static display.
At the same time that some manufacturers chose to concentrate their presence at other events, the 2026 edition welcomed Bombardier back to the static display with the Challenger 3500.
This movement demonstrates how Brazil's business aviation event calendar is becoming increasingly competitive and how manufacturers can adopt different strategies to present their products to customers.
What Did LABACE 2026 Reveal About Business Aviation?
More than simply counting the number of aircraft parked at Campo de Marte, LABACE 2026 provided an opportunity to observe where Brazilian business aviation is heading.
The first trend is clear: the market is growing.
The fleet reached 11,362 aircraft, and movements are expected to surpass 1.2 million takeoffs and landings in 2026.
The second is the expansion of support infrastructure.
Daher and TAM, for example, announced or presented new maintenance and support facilities.
The third is automation.
HondaJet, Cirrus, Cessna and Daher demonstrated different applications of systems designed to reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness.
The fourth is connectivity.
Business aviation is no longer selling only speed and comfort. High-speed connectivity, digital systems and data integration have become part of the travel experience.
The fifth is Brazil's consolidation as a strategic market.
The presence of international manufacturers and the number of aircraft sold during the show demonstrate real demand for products across different categories.
From Aircraft Displays to an Aviation Ecosystem
Perhaps this is the most significant transformation perceived by those who have followed LABACE for many years.
The show is no longer simply a large parking area for business aircraft.
Today, an aircraft on display represents only one part of a much larger chain.
Behind a business jet are maintenance, training, parts, fuel, hangaring, insurance, aircraft management, connectivity, pilots, airport infrastructure and a wide range of specialized services.
The growth of Brazil's fleet creates demand across all these sectors.
And LABACE 2026 made this clear.
A View From Someone Who Has Covered LABACE Since 2010
For MORE THAN FLY, there is also a historical dimension to this coverage.
Since 2010, the portal has covered LABACE in person.
That perspective makes it possible to observe changes that do not appear in a press release or a single photograph.
In 2010, the show was still being held at Congonhas.
In 2026, Campo de Marte welcomed 17,200 visitors and an industry that is far more technological and diversified.
The evolution can also be seen in the aircraft.
Over the years, entire generations of business jets, turboprops and helicopters have passed through the static display.
Models that were once considered major new products were later replaced by aircraft that are more efficient, connected and automated.
Today, features such as autothrottle, Emergency Autoland, large-format touchscreen avionics, satellite connectivity and pilot-assistance systems are part of the new reality of business aviation.
This is precisely the transformation that MORE THAN FLY has been documenting since 2010.
LABACE 2027 Already Has a Date
The success of the 2026 edition has already paved the way for the next one.
LABACE 2027 will be held from August 3 to 5, 2027, once again at Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo.
According to the organizers, companies had already begun reserving space for the next edition during the 2026 show.
The movement indicates confidence in continued growth.
The Future Is Already on the Ramp
LABACE 2026 may be over, but what remained at Campo de Marte goes far beyond the aircraft that departed after the show closed.
There were the numbers of a growing market.
There were new aircraft arriving in Brazil.
There was Bombardier's return to the static display.
There were the deals closed by TAM Aviação Executiva.
There was the new-generation TBM 980.
There was the Brazilian type certification of the HondaJet Elite II.
There were new solutions in automation, connectivity and safety.
There were new solutions in automation, connectivity and safety.
And there was the clear sense that Brazilian business aviation is entering a different phase from the one observed when MORE THAN FLY began covering LABACE in 2010.
The show grew because the market grew.
And in 2026, that evolution was visible in every detail at Campo de Marte.
For MORE THAN FLY, covering LABACE is also about preserving the memory of this transformation.
Since 2008, the portal has documented stories, aircraft, people and events that help tell the story of aviation's evolution.
LABACE 2026 was another chapter in that story.
And the next chapter already has a date: August 3–5, 2027.
LABACE 2026 — Key Figures
Event: LABACE – Latin American Business Aviation Conference & ExhibitionEdition: 21stDate: August 4–6, 2026Location: Campo de Marte Airport, São Paulo, BrazilAttendance: 17,200 visitorsGrowth: 23% compared with 2025Estimated business volume: approximately US$200 millionBrazilian fleet: 11,362 aircraftProjected 2026 movements: more than 1.2 million takeoffs and landingsNext edition: August 3–5, 2027
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