ALTA to develop “Regional Roadmap for Latin America and the Caribbean” to reduce emissions in a sustainable way

Nassau, Bahamas, 29 October 2024. ALTA announced that it will develop a “regional roadmap for Latin America and the Caribbean” to support a sustainable transition for its aviation industry, taking into account the opportunities and realities of the region.

Why a roadmap?

ALTA’s objective is for the roadmap to detail how Latin American aviation may achieve a sustainable transition based on the region’s potential while taking into account the importance of civil aviation in its developing economies. The roadmap will comprise of two key components:

1. From a regional perspective, detail the principal pathways, enabling conditions, policy options and milestones to reach a sustainable aviation industry.
2. Explore options for regional cooperation and the integration of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon markets, which could potentially reduce the impact of decarbonization measures on the growth of aviation in the region.

ALTA’s General Assembly, which represents 27 of the principal airlines in Latin America and the Caribbean and close to 90% of the region’s passenger traffic, agreed to finance the development of an evidence-based regional roadmap with the support of a leading academic institution and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Recognizing the importance of public-private collaboration, ALTA also invited the Latin American Commission for Civil Aviation (CLAC) to support the initiative in coordination with the region’s civil aviation authorities.

“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face as an industry, particularly in developing parts of the world, given the costs involved. Latin America needs to take advantage of the opportunities it has available to move towards a sustainable transition without compromising access to air travel and connectivity. This can best be done by developing the region’s own pathway,” said José Ricardo Botelho, Executive Director and CEO of ALTA.

“An evidence-based roadmap not only reiterates our commitment as an industry to working towards a sustainable transition, it will also provide a guide for all actors in Latin America and the Caribbean based on its advantages and limitations. With the support of governments, this initiative has the potential to support the sustainable growth of an industry that plays an essential public service in connecting the region,” said Roberto Alvo, the newly elected President of ALTA’s Executive Committee.

According to data from the IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), aviation contributed approximately 2%-3% of the global carbon footprint between 2013 and 2023. Within this footprint, domestic flights across Latin America and the Caribbean, along with international departures from the region, represented 4.8% of aviation emissions. In comparison, the majority (83.4%) of global aviation emissions originated from flights operating within and departing from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Region-specific strategies are required to address sustainability while keeping air transport accessible and competitive to continue contributing to the growth of the region’s developing economies.