The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) announces the appointment of its future Executive Director & CEO: José Ricardo Botelho, who assumes the position effective June 1st, 2020.

José Ricardo Botelho is Brazilian, with 8 years of experience in the aeronautical sector and more than 20 years of public service in Brazil. Botelho served as Brazil’s Alternate Diplomatic Delegate to ICAO for about 2 and a half years and as Director President of the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) for 4 years. Under his leadership, ANAC reached important milestones that resulted in an updated, efficient regulatory environment capable of bringing greater competitiveness to the Brazilian aviation market.

“I am delighted to join ALTA, an organization with 40 years of trajectory that has managed to consolidate itself in Latin America and the Caribbean as an articulated team serving the entire aviation value chain and providing timely and valuable support to industry companies and governments in the region. Governments recognize ALTA’s work and the importance of aviation. The travel and tourism sector is a powerful engine for the economy of this region and will be key for the recovery of our countries”, says José Ricardo Botelho, future Executive Director & CEO of ALTA.

“José Ricardo Botelho has a deep knowledge of the civil aviation in Latin America, having developed important projects with civil aviation authorities of the region and having implemented key measures for the development of air transport in Brazil during his path through ANAC. I am pleased to welcome José Ricardo and I wish him success in this extremely challenging time in our history”, comments Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines and President of the ALTA Executive Committee.

“My arrival to the association occurs within a complex situation for the industry and for our countries. We have important challenges ahead of us to recover the economy, but the industry is resilient, and I am sure we will get ahead together. In these first months, my mission will be to understand the needs of our members and users, and further strengthen ALTA’s position as an interlocutor with governments in the region to ensure the implementation of the most beneficial measures for all and also for the socio-economic development of the region”, remarks Botelho.

Graduated in Law from the Catholic University of Salvador, José Ricardo Botelho holds a Postgraduate Degree in Criminal Sciences from Jorge Amado University and a Postgraduate Degree in Public Security Management from the National Police Academy. He served with honors as Adviser to the Minister of Institutional Security of the Presidency of Brazil, as Chief of Staff and General Coordinator of the International Criminal Police of Brazil, and as National Secretary of Security for Major Events as part of the Brazilian Ministry of Justice. During his tenure at ICAO, Botelho actively participated in the modifications of the text of the Tokyo Act, especially in matters related to flight security, also in the corresponding works for the entry of Brazil in the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) and the systematization of API (Advanced Passenger Information), in addition to having worked on the rules against acts of unlawful interference (AVSEC) for civil aviation.