Source: ALTA Linkedin feed
Jose Ricardo Botelho, CEO and Executive Director of the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), joined the panel “Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Future: From eVTOLs to Green Airports” moderated by Pilar W., Americas Air Transport Editor at Flight Global with the participation of James Dorris, CEO of ODIS Aviation; Luiz Castanha, Sales Director of SITA and Dr. Rafael Echevarne, Director General of Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC), as speakers. The panel discussed the challenges on regulations, certifications, infrastructure, safety and air traffic management when it comes to the technological progress and its many applications that will help us reduce emissions, noise and costs
According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Latin America is one of the most urbanized regions on the planet, with 82% of its population living in cities and 17% of its urban population concentrated in 6 megacities with more than 10 million inhabitants. eVTOLs seem a potential solution to traffic congestion and its derived emissions. With a market size of 17.7 billion USD by 2040, regular commercial air transport must coexist with a new ecosystem, and the regulation must be updated with the new reality, seeking to take continue guaranteeing safety, the industry’s top priority.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) was also discussed as it represents 65% of the 4 pillars that will contribute to achieving net zero carbon in 2050. Public policies that generate incentives and competitiveness in the region are again key to developing a production industry in Latin America on the scale and costs that are needed.