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Within the framework of the beginning of Wings of Change 2026, THERE IT IS warned again about the increase in fuel prices, which will directly affect costs and demand at a global level.
The opening of the Wings of Change event 2026 on Santiago de Chile became the propitious scenario for Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President of THERE IT IS for the Americas, will present an exhaustive x-ray of the current situation and the challenges facing the airline industry on the continent.
IATA warns about increased costs
With a speech marked by the urgency of addressing economic volatility, Cerdá highlighted that the sector is at an inflection point where collaboration between governments and airlines is more critical than ever..
One of the central points of his intervention was the growing concern about the cost of fuel. As a result of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the price of a barrel has risen 90 dollars at ranges that oscillate between 160 and 220 Dollars. Since fuel accounts for approximately one-third of airline operating expenses, and considering the narrow profit margins of the sector, This increase is directly impacting competitiveness, forcing in some cases the increase in fares and the cancellation of less profitable routes.
Despite these external pressures, the region shows signs of remarkable resilience. Cerdá highlighted the milestones achieved by key markets such as Brazil, that for the first time overcame the barrier of 100 million domestic passengers, and Mexico, who received 45 millions of international tourists. This growth is not isolated, since countries like Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Argentina continue to strengthen their connectivity. Nevertheless, This dynamism is threatened by an excessive tax burden and regulatory frameworks that lack the predictability necessary to attract long-term investments..
The director of THERE IT IS was emphatic in criticizing policies that slow down development, specifically mentioning the case of connection fees at the Jorge Chávez Airport in Lima, qualifying them as a setback for Peru's competitiveness compared to other regional connection centers. According to Cerdá, These decisions make travel more expensive and divert the flow of passengers towards more efficient terminals., affecting the logistics network and tourism of the entire southern cone.
By contrast, The air cargo sector is positioned as one of the strongest growth engines for Latin America and the Caribbean. The speech highlighted the vital importance of aviation for foreign trade, allowing perishable products to reach global markets in a matter of hours. In this way, the leadership of Colombia and Ecuador in flower export, as well as the relevance of cherries and Chilean salmon, Mexican avocados and Peruvian asparagus on the tables of millions of international consumers.
Towards the future, the projections of THERE IT IS for the next 10 a 14 years estimate an annual growth of 3,7%. To achieve this potential, Cerdá called on governments to stop seeing aviation as a luxury and recognize it as a strategic engine of development. The goal is clear: align regulations with global standards, invest in infrastructure to mitigate the congestion that already affects the 54% of flights in the region and move firmly towards sustainability to ensure that each flight continues to carry the growth ambition of the entire region.
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