By Jose Ricardo Botelho, Outgoing Executive Director and CEO of ALTA Over these years together, we have seen ALTA expand by 88%, reaching 184 members who represent the strength and dynamism of aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean After nearly five years, today I address you with deep gratitude and emotion, as the time has come for me to bid farewell to my role as CEO of ALTA. It has been an immense privilege to serve this great community, whose commitment and vision have made possible the unprecedented growth of our organization. Over these years together, we have seen ALTA expand by 88%, reaching 184 members who represent the strength and dynamism of aviation in Latin America and the [...]

Source: Panasonic Avionics Airlines are under increasing pressure to provide passengers with a digital experience that goes beyond traditional in-flight entertainment.For instance, during flights passengers expect the same level of on-demand streaming they’re used to at home—not to mention access to live sports and other entertainment options. They also want an integrated experience that starts when they book their flight and continues after they land. Meeting and exceeding these kinds of expectations demands a seamless digital ecosystem—and in-flight entertainment plays a large role in that. This has historically presented a challenge to budget-conscious airlines that want to maximize the value of their existing hardware investment, while still delivering new passenger-business value. To that end, Panasonic Avionics is developing a solution [...]

By José Ricardo Botelho In the current scenario, the Brazilian aviation industry is sending clear signals that it needs oxygen to ensure its viability. In this huge country, the sector faces significant adversities that transcend a single company, covering fundamental issues that affect not only established airlines, but also those wishing to enter the market and the population itself. From 2010 to 2022, Brazilian carriers accumulated a significant loss of R billion, with just three years of net profit (2010, 2017 and 2019). According to the National Civil Aviation Agency - ANAC - figures from January to September 2023 show a loss of R.5 billion. We are facing a reality that demands immediate action to avoid an outcome that has [...]

By José Ricardo Botelho* 2023 is coming to an end and, as I look at the results of the work done by all the sectors that make up the civil aviation ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean, I feel a deep sense of pride for being part of a sector that - even without support and, in many cases, with headwinds - has managed to recover in a spectacular and exemplary manner to offer users the safest and most efficient means of transportation. In this same exercise of introspection, I also feel a deep concern. Despite the remarkable efforts of the industry in the region, we see how in many cases aviation is still perceived as a luxury service, [...]

By Arpad Szakal* The aviation industry is increasingly recognizing the value of diversity and inclusion in driving success. Private equity firms involved in the sector have a unique opportunity to lead the way by implementing actionable strategies that attract and retain diverse talent. Below are some practical steps for PE firms in the aviation industry to foster a culture of diversity & inclusion.  Connect with the Broader Talent Pool: Break free from traditional networks and actively seek diverse candidates. Explore similar companies, industry publications, and influential speakers to identify talent from various backgrounds. Consider partnering with diversity-focused search firms or organizations to expand your candidate pool effectively. Tap into Adjacent Industries: Think beyond the confines of the aviation industry. Look [...]

By Marianela Cartagena* Albert Einstein wrote: “In crisis times the imagination is above knowledge”1. As creativity requires dedication, skills, methodology and self-confidence2. In the case of resourcefulness, we have to add other behavior´s skills like frustration tolerance, perseverance, flexibility, being proactive, assertiveness, persuasion, credibility, compromise, enthusiasm, and a plus of some omnipresent virtues like wisdom and knowledge, courage and temperance. The resourceful leader receives nourishment of creative teams that brings to a kind of investigation/action, to combine ideas in an instant manner, in a chaos moment and to make precise decisions, to get successful of that moment or other situations in the future. Creativity and resourcefulness have in common that both breaks the pattern that: rules the brain activity of [...]

By Arpad Szakal* The days of a lifetime career with a single company are long gone in most parts of the world. Although more frequent job changes have become the norm in certain areas, they are still challenging times for those individuals making a career pivot, whether a result of their own choice or especially in the case of a job loss. Career transitions are complex and they are not just about doing something different professionally. A career transition is a lifestyle redesign that often entails rethinking how you want to feel at the end of the work day, how you want to spend your time, and how this relates to your longer term objectives. If you're a mid-career aviation [...]

By Keith Dugas* As technology becomes increasingly integral to the way we work, it also becomes important that the various technologies in a business communicate with each other and work with the same information. This article is about Air Canada’s evolution from paper to digital as part of our overall strategy to ensure that all devices are well managed and synchronized. Overview Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada by fleet size and passengers carried. Keeping aircraft in optimal condition is a critical part of everyday operations. For that, the Maintenance team must optimize aircraft maintenance procedures to ensure security and meet regulatory requirements while minimizing turnaround time between flights to limit the costs of having an aircraft grounded. [...]

By Exequiel Sanhueza Yáñez* Although a lot has been written in recent years about climate change, I can point out that this concept refers to the variation of the climate on earth due, mainly, to the action of human beings who, since the revolution in agriculture, have destroyed their own habitat by burning of forests and other phenomena of an industrial, agricultural and land, air and maritime transport nature. All of this has implied the use of non-renewable resources, annually the release of millions of tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere. The consequence of this is the heat that is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere, producing a greenhouse effect that leads to global warming. It is good to [...]

By Jose Ricardo Botelho, CEO of ALTA We begin a new year reaffirming ALTA's strong mission to represent the voice of the aviation industry in Latin America and the Caribbean and to build bridges of collaboration within the industry and between the public and private sectors. We need to continue advancing on critical measures to make the region more competitive for the development of air transport, generate greater opportunities for the population and greater benefits for the countries. Building these bridges involves consistent teamwork, contributing technical knowledge, listening and making proposals. Since its inception, aviation has been an industry that challenges the status quo through innovation, that generates opportunities that were not thought of before, that generates development. And this has been and [...]