Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG), also known as Galeão International Airport, is one of Brazil’s busiest aviation hubs, serving millions of passengers each year. It connects travellers to major domestic cities and key international destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The airport operates commercial flights primarily from Terminal 2, which handles both domestic and international services, while Terminal 1 is used for administrative purposes. Moreover, passengers can explore a wide range of services at Terminal 2 of GIG International Airport, including numerous restaurants and cafés, duty-free shopping, retail stores, ATMs, currency exchange counters, baggage storage, and more. To learn more about the airlines operating from Terminal 2 of GIG Airport, continue reading the guide till the end.
List of Airlines operating at Galeão International Airport (GIG) by Terminal
Here is the detailed information about the airlines operating at each terminal of Rio de Janeiro International Airport:
GIG Terminal 1
There are no commercial flights operating from this terminal. It is used for the Rio Aeroporto Hotel, Federal Police (passport issuance), and administrative offices.
GIG Terminal 2
Terminal 2 handles almost all commercial operations for domestic and international flights. It has 27 gates, where domestic flights use gates 1–10 and international flights use gates 11-27. The terminal offers a wide range of amenities, including 30-plus food and drink outlets, duty-free stores, ATMs, baggage storage, children’s play area, information desk, accessible restrooms, rental wheelchairs, elevators, currency exchange, and more. Moreover, LATAM Airlines Brazil offers direct flights from Galeão Airport to São Paulo, Salvador, and Recife. International carriers such as Aerolíneas Argentinas, British Airways, and Delta provide non-stop flights to Buenos Aires, London, and Miami.
The table below highlights the major airlines operating at GIG, including their airline codes and corresponding gates in the Terminal:
| Airline | Airline Code | Corresponding Gates (Terminal 2) |
| KLM | KL | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Lufthansa | LH | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Aerolíneas Argentinas | AR | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Iberia | IB | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| British Airways | BA | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Emirates | EK | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Copa Airlines | CM | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| TAP Air Portugal | TP | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Azul Brazilian Airlines | AD | Gates 1–10 (Domestic) |
| LATAM Airlines Brazil | LA | Gates 1–10 (Domestic) |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | Gates 11–27 (International) |
| Gol Linhas Aéreas | G3 | Gates 1–10 (Domestic) |
Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG), also known as Galeão International Airport, operates primarily from Terminal 2, which handles both domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 is currently not used for commercial passenger flights. Whether you’re searching for non-stop flights from Galeão Airport or looking for affordable fares with airlines operating at Galeão, GIG International Airport serves as a major hub connecting Brazil with international destinations across Europe and the Middle East.
Frequently Asked Questions
Terminal 2 handles all commercial, domestic, and international flights.
Terminal 2 has 27 gates in total — 10 for domestic flights and 17 for international flights.
Galeão’s top-rated airlines include Emirates for Middle Eastern trips and Lufthansa and Air France for European destinations.
Passengers can enjoy restaurants, cafés, duty-free shops, ATMs, currency exchange, baggage storage, children’s play areas, accessible restrooms, elevators, and information desks.
Galeão Airport’s domestic services are operated by LATAM, GOL Linhas Aéreas, and Azul. These airlines serve major Brazilian cities like São Paulo, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, and Salvador.
