Atlas joins ALTA as IATA urges Latin America to maximise potential
30 / 10 / 2018
US-based freighter lessor Atlas Air Worldwide has become the fourth airline this year to join the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).
The news coincides with comments from IATA director general, Alexandre de Juniac, at ALTA’s Airline Leaders Forum, where he encouraged governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to improve competitiveness, infrastructure and regulatory harmonisation across the region in order to make the most of the benefits of aviation.
Some of the challenges to the region’s competitiveness include high taxes, fees and government policies that “stifle” aviation, he said, while a lack of consistent investment in airports is hampering potential growth.
The fact that many regulations remain nationally based, meanwhile, makes it difficult for airlines to respond flexibly to changing patterns of demand. ALTA is pushing to overcome these challenges.
According to ALTA executive director Luis Felipe de Oliveira: “Our main objective is to promote the development of the airline industry to achieve its great potential as an economic and social engine of the region and the arrival of Atlas Air Worldwide is a fundamental step in this mission.
"In Latin America alone, approximately 4,500 tons, 7% of imports and 5% of exports, are transported daily, by air contributing directly to the dynamism of the region, to the growth of local producers, to tourism and other economic sectors.”
Bill Flynn, Atlas Air Worldwide president and chief executive, said: “The South American region is an important and growing part of the global economy and an integral part of Atlas Air’s operations. We are dedicated to continuing to expand our footprint and services in the region.” .
Atlas Air Worldwide, which owns Boeing 747 freighters, transports more than 20,000 tonnes of freight in and out of Miami International Airport on a monthly basis, and serves all high-volume trade lanes in South America through the Florida gateway.
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