Source: ALTA
On the second day of the “ALTA Fuel & Sustainability Conference,” aviation sector experts emphasized the urgency of establishing clear government polices to enable the energy transition and ensure the sustainability of this essential service in the region.
The event, organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), brought together airline representatives, suppliers, manufacturers, and authorities to discuss the main challenges and opportunities related to the decarbonization of the sector.
Marco Larson, Head of Sustainability at SKY, warned that the lack of defined regulation in Latin America hinders long-term sustainable initiative planning. “Although SKY operates a very efficient fleet in the region, avoiding more than 1 million tons of CO₂, the absence of clear rules creates uncertainties for investments in solutions that reduce carbon emissions,” he explained.
The President of Boeing in Latin America and the Caribbean, Landon Loomis, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting customers and governments around the world in their ambitions for the future of aerospace. “The expansion of the use of technologies that support our customers, such as SAF, electric and hydrogen depends on public policies that promote production and reduce costs. Boeing has already conducted more than 800 test flights with SAF and leads research in electric propulsion and hydrogen, positioning itself to validate new solutions.”
The circular economy was also highlighted as one of the strategies for emission reduction. Johanna Cabrera, Sustainability Manager at Latam, emphasized initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics, replacing them with eco-friendly materials, and collaborating with suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices. “Latam reduced 129 tons of food waste on board with better predictions of passenger behavior and requires recycling and traceability of waste from its partners, reinforcing its leadership in sustainability in the aviation sector,” Cabrera noted.
Biofuels: Challenges and Opportunities
Pedro De La Fuente, IATA’s Sustainability, Policy, and Standards Manager, highlighted the importance of collaboration and the implementation of new technologies to meet the growing demand for SAF. Judit De León, Development Director at IDAC, emphasized Latin America’s potential for biofuel production from local waste but warned that the certification process could take up to five years, delaying sector expansion.
Manuel García-Pérez, Professor and Chair of the Biological Systems Engineering Department at Washington State University (WSU), stressed the need to reduce capital costs for building and operating biofuel plants, noting that the choice of raw materials, such as used cooking oil or ethanol, directly impacts the final cost. “It is essential to create government incentive packages to enable production and expand SAF supply in the region,” he emphasized.
According to Debnil Chowdhury, Vice President of Fuel and Refining Research for the Western Hemisphere at S&P Global, aviation fuel demand in Latin America and the Caribbean will grow in the coming years, but the region will continue to depend on imports from the United States, which account for about 50% of total consumption. “The growth of the aviation fuel market is seen as an opportunity, but refining capacity in Latin America remains insufficient to meet demand.”
Future of the Sustainable Supply Chain
Experts reinforced the importance of responsible supply chain management to drive sustainability in aviation. Liliana Tovar, Vice President of Aviation and Marine at Terpel, advocated for regulatory harmonization in Latin America to facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices. “It is necessary to train suppliers on the use of renewable energies and monitor the origin of inputs, along with regulatory harmonization in the region to facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices, highlighting the region’s potential in biomass generation.”
Mariano Gutierrez, Aviation Manager at Repsol Peru, stressed the importance of innovation in Latin America, citing used oil collection programs for biofuel production. “We must consider not only regulatory issues but also technological advances, ensuring traceability throughout the supply chain.”
Efficient Fuel Policies: A Key Step for Competitiveness
The flexibilization of fuel quality policies was also a topic of discussion. Experts emphasized the need to adopt more efficient standards to expand the availability of aviation fuels and reduce operational costs while ensuring the safety and competitiveness of the sector in the region.
One point raised was the possibility of allowing the use of both Jet A and Jet A-1. While both are aviation fuels derived from kerosene, there are differences in their specifications and prices. Alexandra Calvo, IATA’s Commercial Fuel Manager, advocated for advancing regulations that allow the use of both fuel options in the region. “Allowing the use of both Jet A and Jet A-1 expands supply possibilities and reduces vulnerabilities in supply shortages, making operations more efficient,” she stated.
Luis Osegueda, Aviation Sales Manager for the West Coast of the U.S. and Latin America at Chevron, warned that reliance on a single fuel type increases airlines’ vulnerability to supply crises, which could directly affect the continuity of air operations. Meanwhile, Stephano Gachet Carrillo, LATAM’s Fuel Director, highlighted the challenges airlines face due to regulatory rigidity in some markets, which increases costs and reduces competitiveness.
Discussions indicated that the transition to greener aviation depends on clear regulatory frameworks, investments in innovation, and collaboration across all stages of the production chain. The integration of regional and international efforts will be key to ensuring a more sustainable future for aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean.