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 five years.

Agricultural expert Manuel García-Pérez from Washington State University highlighted reducing capital costs associated with biofuel plants as crucial; he noted how raw material choices like used cooking oil or ethanol significantly affect overall expenses. “Government incentives are vital,” he said emphatically regarding boosting SAF production capabilities across the region.

S&P Global’s Debnil Chowdhury projected increasing demand for aviation fuel throughout Latin america but warned about ongoing reliance on U.S imports—which currently make up around half of total consumption—indicating insufficient refining capacity locally despite market growth opportunities.

Navigating Sustainable Supply Chains p >

the conversation also turned towards responsible supply chain management as pivotal for advancing sustainability within aviation operations. Liliana Tovar at Terpel called attention to harmonizing regulations across Latin america so sustainable practices can be more easily adopted by suppliers: “Training them on renewable energy use is essential,” she remarked while emphasizing biomass generation potential within the region.” p >

Aviation Manager Mariano Gutierrez at Repsol Peru echoed this sentiment by highlighting innovative programs focused on collecting used oils specifically aimed at biofuel production: “We must not only address regulatory aspects but also embrace technological advancements ensuring traceability throughout our supply chains.” p >

Paving Pathways with Efficient Fuel Policies strong > p >

the discussion also touched upon revising fuel quality standards—a necessary step toward enhancing competitiveness within regional air travel markets was emphasized repeatedly during talks about adopting more flexible policies regarding available fuels without compromising safety measures or operational efficiency levels needed today.” p >

An captivating point raised involved allowing both Jet A and Jet A-1 fuels; although derived similarly from kerosene they differ slightly concerning specifications/pricing structures which could impact availability significantly if one type were favored exclusively according Alexandra Calvo IATA’s Commercial Fuel Manager who advocated pushing forward legislation permitting both options together thus broadening supply avenues reducing risks associated shortages during peak times.” p >

Citing concerns over dependency Luis Osegueda Chevron’s Aviation Sales Manager warned against relying solely upon one fuel type since doing so heightens vulnerability crises affecting airlines’ operational continuity directly meanwhile LATAM’s Stephano Gachet carrillo shed light onto challenges posed due rigidities found certain markets driving costs higher ultimately undermining competitive edge overall .” p >

This dialog reinforced an understanding—the shift towards greener skies hinges heavily upon establishing obvious regulatory frameworks fostering innovation partnerships spanning entire production chains integrating efforts regionally internationally will be crucial securing brighter more sustainable future ahead not just locally but globally too! p > div >