The last time it took place in South America was in 2022, in Buenos Aires. The closing of this event saw ALTA present a regional roadmap for Latin America and the Caribbean, focused on how aviation in the region can achieve a sustainable transition. The importance of civil aviation in developing economies was taken into consideration.
It was proposed to detail the main pathways, favorable conditions, policy options, and necessary frameworks to achieve a sustainable aviation sector at the regional level. Options for regional cooperation and integration of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon markets were discussed. This could reduce the impact of decarbonization measures on the growth of aviation in the region.
José Ricardo Botelho, Executive Director and CEO of ALTA, mentioned: "Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face as a sector, especially in the developing regions of the world, due to the costs involved." Likewise, Roberto Alvo, newly elected President of the ALTA Executive Committee, highlighted the importance of working towards a sustainable transition without compromising connectivity.
According to IPCC data, aviation contributed approximately 2% to 3% of the global carbon footprint between 2013 and 2023. Flights in Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 4.8% of aviation emissions. It was assessed that specific strategies are needed to address sustainability in the region while maintaining accessibility to air transport and its competitiveness.
The ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum held in Nassau, Bahamas, had over 400 representatives from the commercial aviation industry. The ALTA General Assembly, representing 27 major airlines in the region, agreed to fund the development of a regional roadmap with support from an academic institution and IATA.
The event addressed topics such as sustainability, technological innovation, competitiveness, and connectivity, highlighting the crucial role of air cargo in strengthening regional economies. The next edition of the ALTA AGM and Airline Leaders Forum will be held in Lima, Peru, in 2025, after meetings in Cancún and Nassau in recent years.
