Airports Council International (ACI) urged governments to incorporate airport capacity growth into their national long-term infrastructure and economic development plans.
The global airport sector will require approximately US$ 4,6 billions in investments up to 2055 to respond to expected growth in demand. Nevertheless, ACI He stressed that the challenge is not only about building new infrastructure, but also to optimize existing capacity, strengthen coordination between airports, airlines and air navigation service providers, and have stable regulatory frameworks that allow attracting the necessary investments.
Long-term airport planning
In this context, The modernization of airport slot and market access policies acquires strategic importance. ACI World highlighted to regulators and governments that the allocation of slots goes beyond the operational coordination of schedules: Policies regulating access to airports with limited capacity can have direct implications on connectivity, competition and socioeconomic development.
“We are asking governments to plan ahead for aviation growth, enable capacity before reaching a critical point and modernize regulatory frameworks and slot policies. And we can't ask airports to expand their capacity while limiting their ability to finance it.. It just doesn't work.", said Justin Erbacci, general director of ACI World.
rafael echevarne, CEO of ACI-LAC, highlighted that the modernization of slot policies is particularly relevant for Latin America and the Caribe, where a more efficient use of airport capacity can contribute to strengthening connectivity, expand competition and support economic growth.
“Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Governments are working to expand tourism and attract investment. Modern slot policies can help support these priorities, making the best use of available airport capacity. Slots are more than an operational process. “They are a strategic tool that determines access to markets”, Echevarne pointed out..
Global traffic reaches record levels as Latin America and the Caribbean faces new challenges
During LIBRA 2026 – ACI-LAC / ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, organized jointly by ACI World and ACI-LAC and with Lima Airport Partners as host, The growth prospects for global and regional air traffic were also presented..
Global passenger traffic will double by 2047 regarding the levels of 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 3,5%. After reaching a record of 9.800 million passengers in 2025, Global growth moderated during the first half of 2026, When they registered 4.700 million passengers, an increase of 0,6% compared to the same period of the previous year.
On Latin America and the Caribe, Traffic is expected to reach 809 million passengers in 2026 and practically doubled to 2045, reaching close to 1.500 million passengers.
To respond to this growth and maintain adequate service levels, ACI-LAC estimates that approximately US$ will be needed 178.000 million in investments over the next 30 years to modernize and expand the airport infrastructure of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Echevarne also drew attention to the connectivity challenges that persist in the region. In comparison with 2019, 133 Airports record passenger traffic levels lower than pre-pandemic levels, while the region has lost close to 20% of its connections between pairs of cities.
To boost the development of air transport again, ACI-LAC promotes greater liberalization of the sector, moving beyond traditional bilateral agreements and reducing barriers to market access, with the aim of promoting competition and expanding regional connectivity.
“ACI-LAC is very clear: International experience shows that liberalization can boost the development of air transport. “What we need now is for governments to move from signing agreements to implementing them.”, Echevarne stated..
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