Latin American air cargo liberalisation agreement made permanent
04 / 03 / 2024
Source: Shane Hoggatt/Shutterstock
A multilateral agreement to liberalise air cargo services in Latin America has been made permanent in a move that could boost airfreight in the region.
The seventh freedom traffic rights agreement was established on a temporary basis in 2021 but in December was made permanent.
The agreement allows airlines from one Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC) member state that has signed up to provide all-cargo services between two other signatory states without restrictions on routes and capacity.
On the occasion, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela all proceeded to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MoU was left open for signature for the other States, whenever they deem so.
“In the geographical area made up of the States that sign the MoU, a regime of seventh reciprocal freedoms is established for exclusive air cargo services,” ICAO said.
“The MoU included the positive experience of a similar, but temporary, instrument that LACAC used during the pandemic period.”
One contact said that making the regional agreement permanent is a big step toward boosting cargo connectivity across the region
In 2021, the agreement was established to help increase the efficiency of Covid vaccine distribution, but there were hopes at the time it could evolve into a more permanent agreement to enable air cargo and, in particular, e-commerce to play even more important parts in regional economic recovery and development.
