SANTO DOMINGO. – “Latin America and the Caribbean continue to have a low share of global air traffic, despite the growth in passenger demand,” warns Héctor Porcella, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), after arguing that this situation demonstrates the region’s lag in connectivity.
The proposal was presented during the fifth Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS 2026), organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Marrakech, Morocco, according to the JAC .
“Despite the sustained growth in passenger demand, Latin America and the Caribbean still represent only a small proportion of global air traffic,” said Porcella, who also chairs the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (CLAC).
Obstacles to growth
Despite the growth in air traffic, the region continues to have a small share of the global volume, which, in his view, reflects both structural challenges and pending expansion opportunities.
In his speech, he noted that the advancement of air connectivity in the region faces obstacles linked to "restrictive regulatory frameworks, high costs associated with taxes and fees, as well as limitations in airport infrastructure," with a greater impact on secondary markets.
The official also suggested that air transport should occupy a more prominent place within public policies, highlighting its impact on tourism, the economy, and regional integration.
A forum for regional solutions
The forum was held under the theme "Regional Solutions, Global Benefits," in a context where the airline industry faces the challenge of expanding more efficiently, while regions such as Latin America seek to increase their share of international traffic.
According to JAC, the Dominican presence in this scenario is part of the discussions on the future of air transport, at a time when connectivity continues to be a determining factor for economic development and the articulation between countries.
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