ALTA Advocates for Transparent Policies in Aviation
Santo Domingo,March 27,2025 – During the second day of the “ALTA fuel & Sustainability Conference,” industry leaders highlighted how essential it is indeed to have well-defined government regulations that can support energy transitions and ensure enduring practices within aviation.
This event, hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Air transport Association (ALTA), gathered airline executives, suppliers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies to tackle key challenges and opportunities surrounding decarbonization in aviation.
Marco larson from SKY pointed out that unclear regulations in Latin America are a major roadblock for long-term sustainability initiatives. He noted that while SKY has an efficient fleet that avoids over a million tons of CO₂ emissions annually, uncertainty around regulations makes it tough to invest in carbon-reducing solutions.
Landon Loomis from Boeing emphasized their commitment to aiding customers globally with future aerospace ambitions. He stated that advancements like Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), electric propulsion systems, and hydrogen technologies hinge on supportive public policies. Boeing has already conducted over 800 test flights using SAF while leading research into electric power sources—showing their readiness for new innovations.
The concept of a circular economy emerged as a significant strategy for cutting emissions. Johanna Cabrera from Latam shared insights on initiatives such as phasing out single-use plastics in favor of eco-friendly alternatives and working closely with suppliers on sustainable practices. She mentioned how Latam successfully reduced food waste onboard by 129 tons through better passenger behavior predictions while ensuring recycling protocols are followed by partners—reinforcing their leadership role in aviation sustainability.
The Biofuels Landscape: Hurdles and Prospects
IATA’s Pedro De La Fuente underscored collaboration’s importance alongside new tech adoption to meet rising SAF demand. Judit De León from IDAC pointed out Latin America’s potential for biofuel production using local waste but cautioned about lengthy certification processes which could stall growth for up to