RIO DE JANEIRO – Key challenges and opportunities facing the aviation industry across the Americas were discussed during a regional briefing held as part of the IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The session featured a presentation by Peter Cerdá, IATA Regional Vice President for the Americas, while Markus Ruediger, Assistant Director Corporate Communications, moderated the discussion.
Topics covered during the briefing included air connectivity, airport slot coordination, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, regulatory developments, airport charges, and the region’s long-term growth potential.
IATA highlighted that passenger demand across the Americas continues to grow, with significant opportunities remaining in several markets where air travel penetration is still below that of more mature aviation regions. The organization also emphasized the importance of coordinated public policies, industry consultation, and internationally aligned standards to support sustainable growth.
The session further addressed proposed aviation regulations in several countries, the impact of airport and connectivity charges on airlines and passengers, and projections for SAF production capacity as the industry works toward its decarbonization goals.
