With the aviation industry’s rapid growth and increasing market demands, it is crucial to foster a culture where humans and technology work in synergy. The ALTA Aviation Safety, Flight Ops and Training Summit 2025 will invite reflection, collaboration, and the implementation of solutions that ensure safe, sustainable, and forward-looking air transport, always keeping humans at the heart of safety and operational excellence.
The ALTA Aviation Safety, Flight Ops & Training Summit will be a unique meeting for all professionals who dedicate themselves daily to seeking the highest levels of aviation safety and operational standards in the region.
After a successful Pilot Training Connect in September 2023, which was the first event of its kind in the Latin America and Caribbean region, the pilot training discussion will be joined again by ALTA’s long time recognized Aviation Safety Summit, which incorporated Flight Operations aspects at its latest event in June 2024, thus integrating all airline operational aspects at a single event.
Safety, Flight Operations, and Aviation Training professionals from different sectors of the industry will come together to discuss current and relevant topics in these areas. Representatives of airlines, manufacturers, civil aviation authorities, airports, air traffic control organizations, aviation schools, associations, training facilities as well as other sectors of the industry will be present.
Join us in 2025!
The ALTA Aviation Safety, Flight Ops & Training Summit will be held in Mexico City, 10-12 of June 2025.
(Taken from the survey conducted after the 2024 event)
Japan Airlines
Archer Aviation
PROSIM
Human Factor expert
American Airlines
Aeromexico Connect
Salient
Aircraft Performance Specialist
Aviation Safety
Training Consultant
TRU Simulation
AviatDO Consulting
LATAM Airlines
LATAM Airlines
CANSO
A21
Mexico City, or Ciudad de México, is the capital of Mexico and the most populated city in North America. It’s a global cultural and financial hub, and one of the world’s largest cities. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements in the Western Hemisphere, and it is ranked as one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas. One of the few major cities not located along the banks of a river, it lies in an inland basin called the Valley of Mexico, or Mesa Central.
A graduate of the Panamericana School of Hospitality, Diana studied Tourism Business Administration and has over 25 years of experience in the industry.
In September 2018, she became the first woman to hold the position of General Director of LATAM in Mexico, a role she continues to fulfill to this day. In 2022, she was elected President of the National Chamber of Air Transportation (CANAERO), also becoming the first woman to assume this position in the institution’s more than 50-year history. After serving three years as President of CANAERO, she took on the role of Vice President this year, where she also leads the Sustainability Committee.
Diana has been recognized as one of Mexico’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes and Expansión magazines and was named General Manager of the Year by Mujer Ejecutiva magazine. Additionally, she has delivered keynote talks on women’s empowerment and gender equality at numerous platforms and institutions, including CEO Women Summit, the Pacific Chamber, the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, the Global Business Travel Association, among others.
In 2023, she delivered the Tourism Lecture for the “Miguel Alemán Valdés” Foundation, where she was recognized as one of the leading voices in the industry. In 2024, during the Tianguis Turístico, she was honored by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism for her outstanding contribution to the aviation sector within the tourism industry in Mexico.
Captain Juan Jofre is a seasoned aviation professional with over 21,000 flight hours, including more than 15,700 as Pilot-in-Command. Currently serving as Senior Flight Operations Manager at LATAM Airlines in Santiago, Chile, he brings a wealth of operational, training, and leadership experience accumulated over three decades in both military and commercial aviation.
His career at LATAM began in 1994 and has encompassed various key roles, including Captain of the B787, B777, B767, and B737 fleets, as well as First Officer on the B767 and B737. He has held several leadership positions such as Wide Body Fleet Manager, Flight Training Manager, and currently oversees LATAM’s flight operations at the senior level.
Juan is a certified Airline Transport Pilot under ICAO standards, holding type ratings for the B787, B777, B767, and B737 aircraft, both as Captain and First Officer. In addition to his flying credentials, he is an experienced Type Rating Instructor (TRI) and Type Rating Examiner (TRE) for the B787 and B767, and has been deeply involved with LATAM’s Advanced Qualification Program (AQP), where he has served as a program supervisor.
Before joining LATAM, Juan served in the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile – FACH) from 1988 to 1994, where he flew military aircraft such as the T-35 Pillan, T-37 Tweety Bird, A-36 Halcón, and A-37 Dragonfly.
With a strong commitment to safety and training, Juan has played a pivotal role in LATAM’s pilot development programs since 2005, contributing as an instructor, examiner, and operational leader. His in-depth knowledge of wide-body operations and training methodologies makes him a key asset in the continuous enhancement of flight standards and safety culture across the airline.
Ana Blanco-Persiani is an Industrial Engineer with a Master degree in Finance and a Diploma in Advanced Software Technology.
She has more than twenty years of experience in the aviation and aerospace sectors. She worked at TACA Airlines, now Avianca, as Strategic Operations Management Director and Aeronautical Training Director, among other positions. Ana has a vast experience in complex aerospace sales and business development, working with flight simulator manufacturers Mechtronix Inc. and TRU Simulation and Training, as Sales Director for the Americas, and for Aireon, space-based ADS-B provider, as Regional Director, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ana is currently the Chief Executive Officer at AviatDO Consulting Group, a firm offering expertise in safety, operations and management, training solutions, and language services.
Under this role, Ana collaborated with ALTA as Head of Aviation Training, where she created the talent development field within the Association, developing the Training Committee, with focus on regional competency-based training implementation, regulations harmonization and international cooperation, with organizations as ICAO, EASA, FAA, and others. She developed the first “Pilot Training Connect”, a Latin America and Caribbean regional forum to discuss pilot training-related matters and its correlation to safety, merging this forum in 2024 with ALTA’s known Safety Summit. In addition, she was a founding member of ALTA’s “Girls with Goals” scholarship program for maintenance technicians and she enhanced the partner relationship, scope and exposure of ALTA’s Training Hub, a regional educational platform with high-quality academic programs for ALTA members.
Ana is also a strong advocate for women’s professional growth in the aviation and aerospace industries, being an Advisory Board Member for the International Aerospace Womens Association (IAWA).
Responsible for CANSO’s initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Vanegas represents the interests of CANSO and its Members to promote and facilitate the development of ATM in the region. He also represents CANSO and the ATM industry across the region with governmental and industry bodies. Mr. Vanegas is the Regional Aviation Safety Group – Pan America Industry Co-Chair.
Before joining CANSO, Mr. Vanegas spent five years at Enaire’s Air Navigation International Development Department, responsible for managing the financial/economic environment of projects such as SESAR, EGNOS and other projects participated by Enaire at an international level.
Mr Vanegas also worked in EADS-CASA (currently Airbus Military) in Madrid, Spain; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFK Int. Airport operations units, the Port Authority of NY and NJ HQs at the Customer Services and Standards Aviation Department; the Lee County Port Authority, Southwest Florida International Airport at the Customer Service and Standards unit.
Mr. Vanegas holds a bachelor’s degree of Science in Aviation Administration from the State University of New York Farmingdale, New York, USA and a Master’s Degree in Airport Systems from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Aeronautical Engineering School.
María del Rosario Avilés Sánchez holds a PhD in the History of Thought from the Faculty of Philosophy at the Universidad Panamericana, a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Miami, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the “Carlos Septién García” School. She is currently pursuing an Executive Master’s in Digital Transformation and Business Excellence at EOBS, Madrid, and is an alumna of the Senior Management Program (AD) at IPADE Business School (Class of 2004–2005).
She has extensive experience in the aviation industry, having served as the Technical Coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Group that developed the proposal for a new airport in the Tizayuca Valley (1999–2005). Over the years, she has provided consulting services on aviation-related matters for companies, professional associations, industry organizations, and the Mexican Congress.
María has had a distinguished career in journalism as an editor, columnist, and contributor to numerous media outlets, including El Economista, Reforma, El Financiero, Milenio, Grupo Imagen, Radio 13, La Crónica de Hoy, and A21. For the past 30 years, she has written the weekly column Despegues y Aterrizajes, covering aviation and aerospace topics for El Economista and Crónica.
She is a partner and contributor at A21, an aviation and aerospace industry portal, and regularly shares insights on air transport in Turismo W (Radiópolis) and the news program Entorno al Dinero. She is also the Secretary of the Citizen Council for the National Journalism Award (2006–2008), and remains involved through Aulabierta, currently serving on the Citizen Council of the Award.
María is a founding member and current Chair of the Advisory and Advocacy Council of the Center for Women in Senior Management (CIMAD) at IPADE Business School. She is also an active member of Chapter I of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), a founding member of the Women in Aviation Network, and an honorary member of the Mexican Pilots’ Union (ASPA de México).
Edgar Nogueira has been working at Fraport Brasil since the company started operations in 2017, initially acting as Security Director and since 2023 as COO (Chief Operations Officer). He has more than 20 years’ experience in the Safety and Security area, in the last 13 years acting in civil aviation. As COO of Fraport Brasil Airports of Porto Alegre and Fortaleza, he is responsible for Safety, Security, Emergency Response, Occupational Health and Safety, Commercial Aviation and Human Resources areas in both airports.
Mr. Nogueira is an R2 Officer in the Brazilian Army, has a lawyer degree registered at OAB/SP, and obtained three post-graduate degrees: in Public Law, in Strategic Management (from the Escola Superior de Guerra,) and in Crisis Management.
He headed the operational team through the major flood in May 2024 of the Salgado Filho International Airport and implemented a civil aviation operation at the Canoas Military Air Base during the reconstruction time of the damaged infrastructure of the Fraport Brasil Airport in Porto Alegre.
With over 20 years of experience in business continuity and crisis management, Heloisa Diniz is certified by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) as a CBCP, and by IATA in Airline Emergency Planning and Response.
She began her career in the 1990s as a cabin crew member and later specialized in Operational Safety and Emergency Response. She played a key role in managing the response to the GOL Flight 1907 accident in 2006.
Heloisa has worked with national and international airlines, executive aviation, the hospital industry, financial institutions, and consulting. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the ALTA Emergency Response Group and is a member of the IATA Emergency Response Planning Task Force. Recognized as a leading expert in the field, she is also a frequent speaker at ICAO, IATA, insurers, airport operators, and international agency events—bringing best practices to the Latin American region and contributing to the continuous improvement of emergency response in the aviation community.
In addition to her corporate role, Heloisa is a postgraduate professor in Crisis Management, sharing her expertise gained from real-world experience in aviation accidents, victim and family assistance, as well as critical events that threaten operational continuity and impact the reputation and public perception of organizations
Vance is an aviation professional with 20+ years of experience in the field. He is an FAA ATP licensed pilot with 5,000 hours of total flight time across a wide range of aircraft. He was employed by Republic Airways (formerly Chautauqua Airlines) from 2004-2008 as a captain on the Embraer 145 before transitioning to the pilot training industry.
Vance worked for FlightSafety International beginning in 2008 as a simulator instructor on the Cessna Citation XLS series of aircraft before overseeing the Courseware Development department for all Cessna products.
Vance came to TRU simulation in 2014 to manage the Courseware Development team. He received Textron’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Award for Innovation, in 2016 for the development of the world’s first online training course certified by the FAA to allow ground school type-rating currency training to be completed entirely online.
In 2016, Vance stood up TRU’s first international training center in collaboration with Bell Helicopter in Valencia, Spain and oversaw its operations until 2019. He returned to the US in 2019 where he currently serves as the Director of Sales and Customer Service overseeing all simulator sales for the business.
Vance holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Captain Michael Varney is a globally recognised leader in aviation training and the originator of the Evidence-Based Training (EBT) concept. With a distinguished career spanning military, commercial, regulatory, and industry roles, Captain Varney brings a wealth of experience to the field of pilot training and safety. He began his aviation career flying the Buccaneer aircraft in the Royal Air Force before transitioning to commercial aviation as a Boeing 757/767 commander. He later joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority, where he contributed to operations oversight, training regulation, and international rulemaking with the Joint Aviation Authorities. He has also flown multiple Airbus types, including the A319, A320, A321, and A330. Captain Varney held senior management roles at both Boeing (Alteon) and Airbus in Toulouse. As Airbus’s Senior Director of Training Development, he was pivotal in shaping the concept that became EBT. From 2007 to 2013, he chaired the IATA/ICAO/IFALPA EBT Working Group, which led to the publication of ICAO Doc 9995, the foundational framework for EBT. Currently, Captain Varney is the CEO of Salient, where he leads innovation in EBT and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), supported by data from Salient’s Line Operations Safety Audit programs. Salient’s work continues to shape modern pilot training systems around the world.
I began my aviation career in 2004 when I joined Aerolitoral (now Aeromexico Connect) as a First Officer on the Saab 340. Over the years, I’ve flown various aircraft, including the Embraer 145 and E-Jets. In 2015, I was promoted to Captain on the E-Jets, a position I continue to hold alongside increasing responsibilities in leadership and training.
In 2016, I became an instructor and was later designated a Type Rating Evaluator (TRE), allowing me to mentor other instructors. Around this time, I also completed a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, which enabled me to lead initiatives such as optimizing instructor rosters, developing new-hire programs, and designing innovative training tools.
During the COVID-19 crisis, I was called upon by ASPA de México to lead the Laboral Analysis Commission. I used my technical skills to analyze labor contracts and model cost impacts, playing a key role in negotiations that helped the airline remain operational. I later led a task force to manage the compensation of over 1,800 pilots—balancing data complexity with my ongoing flying duties.
In 2023, I completed a Master’s in Big Data from Universidad de La Rioja and was promoted to Fleet Chief at Aeromexico Connect. I oversaw fleet operations, authored the Instructor Guide, and was later appointed Deputy of Training. There, I focused on pilot development, simulator scheduling, and a full rewrite of our Pilot Training Manual, which was approved by authorities in late 2024.
In June 2024, I was promoted to Flight Standards Manager. I now oversee all technical and operational manuals, lead safety audits, and drive innovation in training. I’ve championed the integration of Evidence-Based Training (EBT) best practices and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles on our training methodology.
Outside the airline, I co-founded AVG Aviation Consulting in 2022. We’ve supported airlines and unions like Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect, and ASPA de México with strategic guidance.
Currently, I’m pursuing a Ph.D. in Project Management at UIIX, with a focus on innovation and human factors in aviation training. I expect to graduate in 2028 and aim to contribute meaningful research to the field.
Capt. Carlos Moran is an accomplished head trainer at ProSim Training Solutions, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from the aviation industry and specializing in flight simulation. Carlos combines a strong background in aviation training with a passion for innovative educational technologies to deliver exceptional training programs for pilots in training.
Carlos’s journey in the aviation industry is a testament to his passion and dedication. He started as a young Air Force pilot, flying high-performance jets like the F-16 Viper. His love for aviation led him to the world of commercial aviation, where he became a simulator instructor and apart from flying was involved in various areas of aviation, including multiple roles in Flight Operations and Training within the major airlines in Latin America.
Today, Carlos has extensive experience in simulation systems and flight operations management. He takes a lead role in aviation training, regulations, licensing, and certification processes within the Latin American Spanish-speaking countries.
Carlos also works closely with the design and development of innovative training tools and devices that aim to enrich the learning experience and advance safety standards within the industry.
– Airline captain currently flying the Boeing 737 NG/MAX;
– Aircraft performance specialist;
– Author of the book Aircraft Performance Weight and Balance, now on its 4th edition;
– Producer of the YouTube channel named Aircraft Performance;
– Graduated in Aeronautical Sciences with PUCRS and post graduated in Teaching for Higher Degree Education with the same institution;
– College professor and aviation training consultant.
Is currently the Managing Director Safety and Efficiency for American Airlines (AA). He leads a team of over 60+ team members who participate in the AA Safety Assurance programs such as Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA), Fatigue Risk Management, and the Learning and Improvement Team (LIT) as integral elements within the AA Safety Management System. He is also responsible for Air Safety Investigations and Emergency Planning and Response.
He plans and manages the AA Corporate Safety Department’s efforts to support American Airlines’ commitment to be the world leader in airline safety. While working most closely with the Flight department, he interfaces with all AA departments to proactively identify and develop strategies and practices to prevent accidents and incidents.
John has amassed a total of over 19,500+ accident and incident free flight hours in his flying career. He is a current and qualified Captain on the 787 Dreamliner.
Expert in Human and Organizational Factors.
Postgraduate degree in Human and Organizational Factors from the University of San Andrés.
Diploma in Safety and Human Factors from ITAérea Aeronautical Business School.
Airline Pilot.
Military Aviator.
CRM and Human Factors Instructor/Facilitator since 1997.
Aircraft Accident Investigator.
Worked as a Human Factors instructor at Aerolíneas Argentinas, Western Air Bahamas, and Serendib Express Sri Lanka.
Founding member of the Argentine Association of Aeronautical Psychology (ACAPA).
Professor of Human Factors
at the University of Ezeiza.
Professor of Human Factors at the Center for Research, Improvement, and Experimentation of the Argentine National Civil Aviation Authority (CIPE).
He began his career in aviation as an Aeronautical Technician and Flight Dispatcher
Education & Specializations
– Graduated from the Brazilian Air Force Academy (1984)
– Specialization in Flight Safety through courses at CENIPA, FAA, NTSB, USAF, ERAU, and USC
Professional Experience
– 23 years as an Aviator Officer in the Brazilian Air Force
– 19 years as a Test Pilot & Flight Safety Officer at Embraer
– Currently providing Flight Safety Training to pilots and aviation managers in Brazil
Operational Expertise – Aircraft Flown:
– Military & Rotorcraft: Embraer EMB 326, Eurocopter AS 350, Bell 205/212/412
– Commercial & Regional aircraft: EMB 110, EMB 120, EMB 145, EMB 170/190 (E1/E2)
– Executive Jets: Learjet 35, Phenom 100, Phenom 300, Praetor 500/600, Legacy 650
– Military Transport: Embraer KC-390
Billy Nolen is the Chief Regulatory Officer at Archer Aviation. In this position, he plays a leadership role to help Archer more effectively collaborate with industry stakeholders and help ensure eVTOL’s safe entry into service as it prepares for planned commercialization in 2025.
Before joining Archer, Nolen served as the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration where he led certification reform and new safety management systems for airports. Prior to that, he was the associate administrator of aviation safety for the FAA, which covers more than one million registered aircraft, more than one million active pilots, thousands of approved manufacturers, and over 50,000 flights every day.
During his time with the FAA, Nolen led the agency’s efforts to enable the safe entry of eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace and has been a strong advocate for the eVTOL aircraft industry and its role in changing the way the world moves.
Billy Nolen is an experienced aviation safety professional with more than 40 years of experience in corporate safety, regulatory affairs, and flight operations. He began his career in 1989 as a pilot for American Airlines, flying Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft as well as the then-McDonnell Douglas MD-80. He was later promoted to manage the carrier’s Aviation Safety Action Program.
His passion for operation and safety led him to continue rising through the management ranks to become the airline’s managing director for corporate safety and regulatory affairs. Nolen was a senior executive at Airlines for America and worked in safety leadership positions at numerous other airlines, including Qantas Airways, where he played a key role in the Qantas Group Safety Governance Framework, and WestJet in Calgary, Alberta where he was the Vice President of Safety, Security and Quality.
In addition to his professional aviation experience, Nolen served tours of duty in the U.S. Army as an airplane and helicopter pilot and safety officer.
Nolen graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management and has certificates in aviation safety from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Army Safety Center, and the University of Southern California. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and has traveled extensively across the globe.
Kazu Tachibana is currently the Executive Vice President for JAL Aviofuture Lab.
The Laboratory covers a wide range of areas related to aviation, such as new technologies, business solutions, safety enhancement projects, and so forth.
Previously, Kazu was the Senior Vice President for Corporate Safety and Security, Family Assistance and Support at Japan Airlines.
In 1988, he graduated from Keio University with a Master’s degree in Economics.
In the same year, he started his career as a cadet pilot.
He had flown various types of aircraft, until he restarted his career as Senior VP for Flight Operations in 2020.
Throughout his pilot career, he was an instructor, Assistant Director for various projects such as training, Pilot Human Resources, and Pilot Group Management.
He also led the Entry into Service project of A350, and also worked for the introduction of the Mixed Fleet Flying rule making process in Japan.
In 2020, he took his role as the head of the Flight Operations.
In 2024, he took his role as the head of Safety.
He is currently the Executive Vice President of the new lab in JAL, and specializes in areas such as Flight Operations, Training, Aviation Technology, and Safety.
