Costa Rica

Latin America, a bright spot for aviation, with continued growth and robust aircraft requirements

IATA, Boeing and Airbus have again noted the potential of the Latin American market, with IATA describing the region as a “bright spot in the aviation world” and Airbus commenting that Latin America’s aviation sector “has never been stronger”, following a boom in the sector over the past five years. Boeing has similarly noted the large potential in the Latin America market in its market forecast.

Latin America is “the only region generating aggregate profits for three consecutive years," IATA CEO and director general Tony Tyler noted at ALTA this month. On the outlook for the region, he commented: “Taking a long-term view of Latin American aviation, one can only be optimistic. The economic potential of this vast and varied geography can only be realised with a successful aviation industry”.

UPDATE: oneworld favoured with more at stake than Star in LAN-TAM alliance decision

(this article, which was initially published on 24-Sep-2011, has been updated to include initial LAN response, further discussion of TDLC measures and implications for Gol and SkyTeam)

The stage is set for the biggest global alliance selection of the decade as new airline group LATAM is being forced by Chile's anti-trust court to choose a single grouping. The decision by LATAM, the new parent company for oneworld’s LAN and Star’s TAM, will have huge ramifications as the winning alliance will be guaranteed a leading position in the fast-growing and increasingly important Latin American market. The more likely outcome is a oneworld victory, which would result in its share of capacity in the region increasing to 30% compared to approximately 15% for Star and 11% for SkyTeam.

Paris 2011: Avianca-TACA accelerates expansion with neo, plans fleet of more than 160 A320s

Avianca-TACA has decided to expand its acquisition of A320-family aircraft to drive further expansion in the second half of this decade at its various subsidiaries throughout Latin America. The airline group used the Paris Air Show to sign a memorandum of understanding on 22-Jun-2011 for 18 additional A320s and 33 A320neos.

Oversubscribed Avianca-TACA IPO provides another indicator of buoyant Latin American industry

Preliminary results from Avianca-TACA’s initial public offering (IPO) show a strong appetite for Latin American airline stocks. The offer period for Avianca-TACA shares expired on 15-Apr-2011 with a healthy five to one oversubscription ratio.

Avianca-TACA enjoys profitable first year as merged entity

Avianca-TACA is confident of a successful debut on the Colombian stock exchange after a profitable first year as Latin America’s fourth largest airline group. Colombia-based Avianca and El Salvador-based TACA completed their historic merger in early 2010, creating the fourth largest airline group in Latin America after LAN, TAM and Gol.

Why don't women run airlines?

IT WAS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY on the 8th of March, 2010, and the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation proudly “acknowledged” flag carrier Air India’s historic flight between Mumbai and New York JFK. It was unique that day in that flight AI-141 operated with an all-female flight crew on the B777-200LR. There was no Air India man in sight. It was different at head office.

(This report, the first in a series of four, is taken from the Oct-2010 edition of Airline Leader.)