Latin America and the Caribbean support the aviation industry’s global objective of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Yet, according to a publication released by ALTA in partnership with ICF, the region faces a unique challenge: reducing aviation emissions without weakening the air connectivity that underpins economic development, tourism, and social integration.
For many countries across the region, aviation is more than a transport mode. ALTA describes it as critical infrastructure. The association estimates that aviation supports 3.6% of regional GDP, while 62% of international visitors arrive by air. In addition, one out of every eleven jobs depends on international tourism, highlighting the sector’s importance to local economies.
A different starting point from other regions
The study argues that Latin America and the Caribbean cannot simply replicate decarbonization strategies developed in larger and more mature aviation markets.
Air travel demand remains significantly lower than in developed economies. While the average U.S. resident takes approximately 2.5 flights per year, the average resident in Latin America and the Caribbean takes only 0.67 flights annually. According to ALTA, this reflects a market that remains highly price-sensitive and still has considerable room for growth.
The region also represents a relatively small share of global aviation activity. Although it accounts for around 8% of the world’s population, it generates only 5.4% of global air traffic. At the same time, many countries remain heavily dependent on air transport because of geography, long travel distances, island economies, and limited alternatives for regional mobility.
As a result, ALTA argues that the balance between emissions reduction and connectivity differs from that of other parts of the world.
The trade-offs behind the net-zero transition
The report identifies several trade-offs that policymakers and industry stakeholders will need to manage over the coming decades.
The first is the balance between sustainability and accessibility. Measures designed to reduce emissions may increase operating costs, potentially making air travel less affordable for passengers in markets where demand remains fragile.
The second concerns global objectives versus regional realities. While the net-zero target is shared internationally, ALTA argues that the pace and mix of solutions should reflect local economic conditions, infrastructure constraints, and access to financing.
According to the study, the industry’s primary objective should be to reduce emissions without disconnecting communities, economies, and tourism markets that rely on aviation.
Why connectivity remains essential
ALTA warns against viewing aviation as a luxury sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The report highlights several risks associated with reduced connectivity, including isolated communities, weakened economic activity, disrupted supply chains, and declining tourism performance. For many destinations, especially islands and remote territories, air transport remains the most effective link to global markets.
This reality explains why the association advocates a pragmatic transition strategy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Four pathways toward net zero
Rather than promoting a single solution, the study identifies four complementary pathways that can help the region move toward its emissions objectives.
These include operational efficiency improvements, fleet modernization, the gradual deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and the development of carbon markets.
ALTA emphasizes that no single measure will be sufficient on its own. Instead, future progress will depend on combining multiple tools while maintaining a balance between emissions reduction, connectivity, and economic development.
A regional pathway to a global goal
The study concludes that Latin America and the Caribbean share the same long-term destination as the rest of the aviation industry: net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the region faces different structural realities, including lower access to SAF, funding constraints, and a stronger dependence on aviation for development.
For ALTA, the challenge is therefore not whether the region should decarbonize, but how it can do so without undermining the connectivity that supports millions of jobs, businesses, and communities across Latin America and the Caribbean.
