Source: ALTA

The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) announces the creation of a working group dedicated to the development of the air cargo sector in Latin America and Caribbean through the discussion of strategic aspects of the operation, as well as local and regional projects that improve competitiveness and efficiency of processes.

The first ALTA’s Cargo Committee meeting, held on March 31, was attended by leading executives from Aeroméxico, Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Avianca, Azul, Copa Airlines, Gol, Equair, interCaribbean, Latam Airlines, Lufthansa, TAP and Bahamasair, who elected Claudio Torres, Regional Director LATAM CARGO, as President of ALTA’s Cargo Committee and Leonel Ortiz, Operations Director of Avianca Cargo, as Vice-President.

This is a key segment for the industry. Air cargo, although often unnoticed by air transport users, is an everyday service. Passenger aircraft carry over 40% of cargo. However, it is important to notice that the proportion of capacity offered in cargo-only services increased from 12% in 2016 to 16% in 2021 and the proportion of cargo capacity offered in domestic services between 2011 and 2021 grew from 24% to 35%, according to data from the study “Air cargo transport in Latin America and Caribbean: comprehensive analysis of the sector and public policy recommendations” developed by the IDB, where ALTA collaborated.

This study shows that Brazil and Mexico represent together 70% of domestic cargo in LAC, while 4 countries represent 60% of international cargo: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile. By 2022, the cargo of these countries recovered their pre-pandemic levels and grew: Brazil (+11%), Chile (+8.3%), Colombia (+8%) and Mexico (+4%). The sub-region that has grown the most over these past 10 years was Central America with a compound annual rate of over 17% between 2011 and 2021.

“One of our tasks is to contribute with a discussion forum to identify the main challenges in the region and build bridges of collaborative work with governments and airports to work with clear, efficient, smart and standardized rules to expand the potential of cargo transport in the region. This work will result in greater transparency, predictability and reduction of costs and time in the processes related to customs and the control of goods, in the improvement of infrastructure and in greater possibilities for countries to export and import goods that contribute to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the population,” says Claudio Terry, ALTA’s Head of Cargo & Security.

The committee will hold regular victuals meetings, that will be announced soon. To join, please contact Claudio Terry, ALTA’s Head of Cargo & Security.