ACI-LAC Conference concludes calling on governments to liberalize air transport

During the conference, the Miami Declaration was launched, which, among other points, suggests a liberalized regulatory framework (up to the seventh freedom for passenger and cargo services), flexible and transparent for international air services, with the aim of promoting competitiveness. global in LAC”.

In the panel “Liberalization of Air Transport in Latin America and the Caribbean”, participants highlighted the need to reduce bureaucracy and tax burdens on air transport, in addition to allowing cabotage aviation, that is, when planes from a foreign company Those flying to a country are authorized to extend the plane's stay in that country and make a national leg. According to Peter Cerda, IATA vice president for the Americas, governments must facilitate the expansion of air transport through liberalization.

“We, as an industry, must take this regulatory agenda to the politicians at the top. “They must have the courage to make decisions that increase connectivity and encourage people to fly more.”

In the year with the theme “The future is now,” ACI-LAC held the largest conference in its history, with a record attendance of around 500 participants present, including leading industry executives, government and airport authorities, and aviation experts. , technology, environment, management, finance and accessibility.

Accessibility

Accessibility at airports, in order to make them suitable environments for all passengers, was one of the highlighted topics at the 2023 ACI-LAC conference.

Jessica Marín-Urrea, innovation leader at Miami Airport, highlighted that building a culture of accessibility requires a correct understanding of the deficiencies and the incorporation of the needs of these passengers as part of efforts to improve the experience of all passengers. “The passenger who benefits from accessibility is a passenger like any other and needs to be served with the same quality. But since this requires incorporating minorities, it is crucial that leaders are involved.”

Miami International Airport is one of three ACI-LAC member airports to be certified at Level 1 by the ACI Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program, which aims to encourage airports around the world to become inclusive and accessible environments for All the passengers. The other two are El Dorado International Airport, Colombia, and Carrasco International Airport, Uruguay, operated by Aeropuertos Uruguay.

“The accreditation program guided us step by step to implement the transformations that are helping us meet the needs of our passengers,” said Camila Nicolich, passenger experience leader at Aeropuertos Uruguay.

The AEA program is based on existing international best practices and recommendations, including the ACI Airports and Persons with Disabilities Manual, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and universal design, and has three levels of certification. Currently, there are 11 ACI member airports certified by the ACI Accessibility Improvement Accreditation program.

Airport industry in the Caribbean

Air traffic in the Caribbean region showed 2% growth in 2023 compared to 2019 levels, with 14.4 million additional passengers. This growth was mainly driven by external routes and airlines from outside the region. The information was released during the summit on the airport industry in the Caribbean, at the end of the last day of the ACI-LAC Annual Assembly Conference & Exhibition 2023.

Experts and industry leaders presented studies with opportunities and challenges for the development of air traffic in the region, safety regulation, cargo transportation and mitigation of climate change impacts.

Among the speakers at the summit were representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the World Bank, airports, consultancies specialized in cargo transportation and the environment.

"There are countless institutions that can contribute to supporting the development of our industry in the Caribbean, we just have to provide the figures and experiences for the studies to move forward. This type of information and analysis is essential for our growth and credibility," stated Rafael Echevarne, general director of ACI-LAC. Echevarne also summarized the two-day conference.

"This has been the largest conference that ACI-LAC has held in its history, with a record number of participants. This year we have firmly addressed our position on the total liberalization of air transport. It has been another opportunity for fundamental exchanges, to share experiences and good practices, so that we can continue developing the airport industry for the benefit of passengers and the communities where the airports are located. ACI-LAC thanks everyone who supported us and we hope to see you again in Guadalajara, Mexico, next year," he added.

Agradecemos a los patrocinadores de este evento: Exolum, Mera Corporation, SSP America, SITA, Arconas, Avolta, TAV Technologies, Morpho Travel Experience, Copenhagen Optimisation, IT Aérea, Amadeus, Eagle Eye Networks, Airport Dimensions, Transoft Solutions y EC Solutions.  

Expositores: Amadeus, Arconas, Alstef Group, ADB Safegate, Allen & Co, Cobus, Collins Aerospace, Avolta, CIMC Tianda, Global Exchange, Guadalajara Guadalajara, Inmaquip, Incomelec, JBT, Kraftone, Matec, Morpho Travel Experience, Sectus, SITA, Smith Detection, Synaption Aviation, Thales, Ulma, and Wanzl.