Aviation as a Growth Driver in Focus at ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum

With the potential to boost economies and connect cultures, aviation has become a driving force for growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. The ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum 2024, held from October 28 to 30, will take place in Nassau, Bahamas. At this event, organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), leaders from the aviation sector and global authorities will discuss sustainability, technological innovation, competitiveness, and connectivity, as well as highlight the essential role of air cargo in strengthening regional economies.

In its 20th edition, the forum stands out as a strategic platform to align partnerships and shape the future of regional connectivity, reinforcing aviation’s role as a catalyst for progress and integration.

“The integration of passenger and cargo services has proven to be an effective strategy to optimize air transport. Recent data shows that, during the first nine months of 2024, airlines based in Latin America increased cargo transport by 10%. Additionally, demand for air cargo in key markets such as Brazil and Colombia grew by 9% and 8%, respectively. So far, 59% of the cargo in the region has been transported on cargo planes, while 41% traveled in the belly holds of passenger planes,” explains José Ricardo Botelho, ALTA’s CEO.

The conference seeks to foster dialogue between governments, regulators, and airlines with the aim of increasing operational efficiency and connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean, thereby driving economic and social growth in the region.

“The year 2024 will be historic for Latin America and the Caribbean, with 479 million passengers, the highest volume recorded to date. Of this total, 54% is domestic traffic, 35% corresponds to extra-LAC international flights, and 11% is intra-LAC, highlighting opportunities to improve regional connectivity. The Caribbean, in particular, will see a 5.75% increase in passenger numbers. For the entire region, a 5.5% increase in passengers, 6.6% in ASK, and 10% in FTK are projected, driven by e-commerce,” Botelho emphasizes.

The event will feature prominent figures from the aviation and tourism sectors. Among the panelists will be CEOs from Bahamasair, Copa Airlines, LATAM Airlines, LATAM Cargo, Azul, Flybondi of Abra Group, Sky Airline, Avion Express, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Total Linhas Aéreas, Tropic Air, and Avianca. Representatives from IATA, the FAA, Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism, and ANAC Brazil will also participate. The forum promises strategic discussions with experts and executives from companies such as SITA, Cirium, AA2000, Hitit, Wingo, FedEx, Iberia, HEICO, and IBS.

To celebrate the 20th edition of the event, a time capsule will be created and preserved in Nassau to be opened in two decades. If you had the opportunity to leave a message for future generations in the industry, what would you write?