The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments in Latin America and the Caribbean region (Latin America) to take full advantage of the connectivity provided by aviation in order to chart a more successful future for the region.
"Latin America is ripe with possibilities. It has a dynamic airline industry that has embraced cross-border consolidation to boost efficiency and competitiveness and deliver more value to customers. And it has a geography that is particularly reliant on air transport," said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO in the opening address of the Wings of Change conference in Santiago, Chile.
The economic and social benefits of a successful aviation sector are clear—some 4.6 million jobs and $107 billion in GDP in Latin America. But many governments in the region are pursuing policies which treat the industry as a luxury—or worse as a pariah to be constrained—rather than as a catalyst for economic growth. "While some countries in the region—such as Chile and Panama—recognize the value of aviation, others are erecting physical and financial barriers to success, ignoring the lessons of places like South Korea, the Gulf or Singapore, which have placed aviation connectivity at the core of their development plans," Tyler said.
"Alignment with global standards and practices at the policy and practical level is a key prerequisite for aviation success. It creates the best environment for a healthy, vibrant airline system that can serve as a catalyst for economic development. Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for aviation success. But there are firmly established principles—such as those enshrined in the Chicago Convention—that have stood the test of time. Scheduled commercial aviation is 100 years old this year. The Chicago Convention has guided the industry through the important work of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for 70 of those years," said Tyler.