Latin America and the Caribbean: stability, growth, and confidence for international tourism
Driven by the recovery of air traffic, improvements in connectivity and advances in sustainability, the region is positioned as a key player for global tourism development and investment in air transport
Over the past week, more than 900 flights from airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air France, United, and Saudia were canceled or delayed at key airports in Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Bahrain, and other major hubs. These disruptions, attributable to rising regional tensions, have had significant operational and logistical impacts, as well as impacts on passenger safety perceptions globally.
In contrast, Latin America and the Caribbean are set to see a marked recovery and expansion of air traffic in 2025. According to ALTA, the region transported 42.3 million passengers in January, a 2.4% increase compared to 2024. This increase was driven by the reactivation of routes, open skies policies, and growing tourism demand, with domestic markets such as Brazil accounting for almost half of the regional increase, and intraregional routes such as Lima–Santiago establishing themselves as the most active.
Likewise, the latest IATA data reflects a 10.9% year-over-year passenger traffic growth in April for Latin America, outperforming the global increase of 8%. These figures place the region in a prominent position in terms of post-pandemic recovery, even outperforming many mature markets.
IATA projects global demand will grow by 5.8% in 2025, with total airline revenue reaching USD 979 billion, with record passenger revenue of USD 693 billion. While supply chain and cost challenges persist, the results show a favorable operating environment, with factors such as lower fuel prices and high flight occupancy levels (an average load factor of 84% according to IATA).
In Latin America, ALTA notes that fleet modernization and sustainability have also advanced rapidly: the average aircraft age has decreased by 18%, making them 37% younger than North American fleets and 22% more modern than European ones. Sustainable fuel (SAF) initiatives, along with improvements in operational efficiency, have led to a 28% reduction in fuel consumption per passenger kilometer since 2011, and have enabled the region to account for only 4.8% of global CO₂ emissions accumulated between 2013 and 2023.
These advances are part of regulatory and infrastructure efforts supported by organizations such as ICAO, which highlight the importance of investments in airports, airport tax policies, and institutional coordination to boost regional competitiveness. Furthermore, more than 100 airports in Latin America and the Caribbean have been certified by the Airport Carbon Accreditation program to manage their emissions and move toward more sustainable practices.
Against this backdrop, Latin America and the Caribbean are consolidating their position as one of the most attractive destinations for tourism and aviation. Its stable political and operational environment, combined with a dynamic airline market and a clear commitment to modernization and sustainability, offers a safe, long-term alternative. At a time when other regions—such as the Middle Eastern hubs—face increasing disruptions, our region stands out for its resilience and its ability to attract international investment and travelers.
Sources: ICAO / IATA / ALTA.