Off to a fl ying start N
early 400 registered delegates were at Routes Americas in a sunny Santo Domingo in February for two days of
meetings and discussions. As is traditional at the event, the Routes Americas Strategy Forum on Sunday February 13 featured lively discussions on the future of route development in Latin America, with a keynote presentation from Alex de Gunten, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association’s (ALTA) executive director, who appropriately fl ew in just in time to take to the podium.
De Gunten focused on the
continuing growth potential throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region and the impact that low-cost carriers have had on the markets, particularly Brazil and Mexico. “This is an exciting time to be in the industry in this region and this is clear from the fact that fi ve years ago there wasn’t a Routes event dedicated to the region. The growth potential in the region remains. The airline market is still underdeveloped with the average trips per capita being three to four times less than that of the US or Europe,” he said.
>>> The route development calendar got off to a busy start with Routes Americas and Routes Tourism Mediterranean taking place on the same weekend in February.
Dr Craig Jenks, president of Airline/ Aircraft Projects Inc New York, added: “GDP growth is a major factor in Latin America. In less mature markets, airline growth can more than double GDP growth.”
As expected, consolidation was also a hot topic, with Francisco Cuellar, ASM’s vice president, business development, Latin America, remarking that the LAN and TAM deal could result in even more regional mergers and acquisitions. De Gunten added that 75.1% of regional capacity is now handled by fi ve groups.
Alex de Gunten, ALTA’s executive director, made the keynote presentation from his iPad.
Jenks noted that consolidation will not mean the end of innovation in the region. “There is a long history of entrepreneurship in Latin American aviation. This is very healthy and it is simply not on the agenda in Africa and Asia.” Jose Montero, Copa’s director of planning, added that new investors from other parts of the world could also be looking to invest in the region. “There will always be three, four or fi ve players in the region, but don’t ignore the possibility of a European airline investing in Latin America. This is certainly going to happen as regional barriers fall.” These remarks set the scene for the next two days and ensured that delegates had plenty to discuss over pina coladas at the Welcome Reception around the pool.
Francisco Cuellar, ASM’s vice president, business development, Latin America (left) chaired the panel, which included Dr Craig Jenks, president of Airline/Aircraft Projects Inc New York (right).
Jose Montero, Copa’s director of planning.
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