ALTA and Hidrógeno Colombia sign a MoU for the Promotion of Sustainable Technologies in air transport

Panama October 4th – The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) and the Hidrógeno Colombia Association are pleased to announce the signing of a Cooperation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage the development of studies on the promotion of sustainable technologies in air transport. The MoU was signed by ALTA's Executive Director & CEO, José Ricardo Botelho, and the Executive Director of Hidrógeno Colombia, Monica Gasca Rojas.

Aware of the strong commitment of its over 150 members, ALTA's mission is to support the entire commercial aviation ecosystem to achieve the decarbonization of aviation operations. Meanwhile, Hidrógeno Colombia is an entity committed to the promotion of hydrogen and its derivatives as an energy vector in the energy, transport and industry sectors. The Association works actively in the energy transformation in the country, seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable economic growth, as well as social development.

The MoU signed between ALTA and Hidrógeno Colombia has as general goals the exchange of know-how between both parties, the development of studies for the promotion of sustainable technologies in air transport and the technical contribution for the development of a regulatory framework towards the use of sustainable fuels in Colombia with no additional costs for an industry that has been recovering from the deep economic impact caused by the pandemic. Furthermore, both associations will focus on building bridges with technology and service providers to expand know-how on the implementation of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative in the region.

Among the activities to be developed are the research and creation of publications aimed at distributing awareness of hydrogen and its derivatives in the air transport industry. Also, they will collaborate closely with public sector entities in the development of studies and projects of common interest for the country and the entities involved.

According to Monica Gasca, Executive Director of the Hidrógeno Colombia Association, "Our intention, in contributing to the different industries in reducing their emissions, begins to be materialized in the aviation sector by signing this MoU.  We want to thank ALTA for its commitment to open development and innovation routes that will lead the industry to be carbon neutral through hydrogen development in the coming years, being environmentally responsible and boosting the aviation growth in Latin America."

One of the most relevant aspects of this partnership will be the promotion of awareness and understanding of the aviation industry's deep commitment in being carbon neutral and the role that hydrogen and its derivatives could play in achieving a sustainable economy. Both associations are committed to the implementation of clean and efficient technologies that contribute to the protection of the environment and the sustainable growth of the air transport industry in the region.

"By signing this agreement, ALTA and Hidrógeno Colombia strengthen their goal of working together towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the air transport sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region has a consistently growing demand and we need to accompany it with regulations and technologies that allow the industry to grow sustainably as well. It is a long-term commitment that must begin now. We cannot wait any longer. At this stage our most important role as organizations is to create awareness of the available technologies, socialize their potential and support the creation of smart regulatory frameworks for the implementation of the most appropriate technologies for the reality of each market with no additional costs that reduce competitiveness and increase the expense of flying", comments José Ricardo Botelho, ALTA's Executive Director & CEO.