By Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security How regulators can make fair, consistent decisions when war and fuel shortages disrupt normal flight operations An airport slot is critical. And at many airports there are not enough slots to fulfill the demand for travel at all times of the day. That’s why airlines, airports, and regulators worked together to create the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG). WASG provides the rules by which slots are allocated. And, because nobody wants such a precious resource as airport capacity to go under-utilized, the WASG also provides the rules by which a slot can be reallocated. This is the famous 80-20 rule. Basically, a slot must be used 80% of the [...]

By Rafael Echevarne, ACI-LAC Director General  At ACI-LAC we will soon publish a study on liberalization in the Caribbean. Air connectivity is vital for the region's economic and social development, yet faces stark inequality: while international routes grow and sustain tourism, intra-Caribbean links have drastically declined, limiting regional mobility. High travel costs, institutional fragmentation, and ineffective regulatory frameworks have created a "liberalization on paper" that fails to deliver real benefits. The study will propose advancing toward effective liberalization with convergent rules, bilateral incentives, and reduced fiscal burdens, so aviation can truly drive integration, competitiveness, and sustainable progress in the region. Brazil has taken a historic step by establishing the Connect Agenda as a state policy for civil aviation—an initiative that [...]

By Marianela Cartagena* The additional experience that flight crews (command and cabin) have is due to the fact that this is a job that entails very different experiences than those of people who work on the ground. We carry out the work at 33,000 feet above sea level. Experience is essential for all living beings. Experience is that interaction with "reality" that leaves a trace, which can be activated at some point through memory. In human beings (complex systems), the perception of the environment is coloured by previous experiences, stored in a brain mass of multiple neural networks, and what is memorized is influenced by this way of perceiving. Experiences and the memory of these experiences become increasingly complex, reaching [...]

By Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Chief Economist Global aviation leaders have convened for the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It’s a critical meeting that happens only once every three years and it is where states come together to discuss and agree on actions related to aviation’s most pressing issues. As you can imagine, with a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the issue of sustainability is high on the Assembly’s agenda. In particular, CORSIA—the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation—is in the spotlight. As aviation was coming to grips with the enormous challenge of decarbonization it was realized early that technical solutions for emissions reductions in [...]

By Exequiel Sanhueza* Have you ever wondered what the relationship is between current aviation and space debris? Although for many people these topics may seem distant, they are actually more connected than we can imagine. Space debris or junk, made up of artificial objects that orbit the Earth and that have ceased to be utilized, represents a growing challenge today. In this article, I will address how both concepts are intertwined and why their relationship is increasingly relevant for the safety of those who inhabit the planet and for air operations. The symbolism of the sky and the threat from space Since ancient times, heaven has been seen as a space of power and mystery. In Greek mythology, Zeus, the [...]

By Blake Scholl, Founder/CEO at Boom Supersonic (from LinkedIn) Here's the business case for Boom Supersonic —and a never-before-seen piece of Overture's design. And why I think there will be over 1,000 Overtures, while there were only 14 Concordes. Concorde failed because it was simply too expensive to reach a large market. 100 uncomfortable seats, $20k tickets. Even on the most popular route—NY-London—it flew on average half empty. Particularly with 80s/90s travel volumes, it was too big and too expensive. Shouldn't a supersonic renaissance start with a small private jet—for the people whose time is most valuable? It almost makes sense—except 80%+ of PJ miles are overland. Until overland supersonic is legalized, there's scant advantage. This is why every SSBJ [...]

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, [...]