Miami – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that this year's Wings of Change Americas (WOCA) Conference will be taking place on 8-9 April in Santiago de Chile, with LATAM as the host airline.
The 16th edition of the aviation industry's premier event in Latin America and the Caribbean is being held under the theme "Beyond Borders – Aviation as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation" and will focus on how strategic collaboration between the aviation sector and government authorities can:
- Expand regional connectivity
- Accelerate economic growth, and
- Strengthen global competitiveness
The various panel discussions will highlight the critical importance of collaboration between the aviation industry and governmental bodies, as the key enabler for economic development and transformation. Moreover, industry relevant topics such as the role of technology and AI, sustainability, and the significance of air cargo will also be featured.
More than 400 industry leaders and stakeholders are expected to attend the event.
Peter Cerdá, Regional Vice President for the Americas, IATA, will be speaking at the event together with many of the region's top airline CEOs including:
- Roberto Alvo – CEO, LATAM Airlines Group
- Daniel Belaunde – CEO, Sky Airline
- Adrian Neuhauser – CEO, Abra Group
- Gabriel Oliva – President of Avianca Group
- Estuardo Ortiz – CEO, JetSMART Airlines
Reflecting the conference's objective to create solutions across the aviation value chain, the various panel discussions will include:
- Sustainability & Innovation - Overcoming Barriers toward Net Zero Carbon Emissions in Latin America
- Airport Executive Roundtable - Powering the Next Generation of Infrastructure in the Americas
- Regulatory Roundtable - Balancing Consumer Protection & Industry Viability
- Air Cargo & Logistics - Unlocking Trade Potential in the Americas
- Code, Cloud, Cabin - AI's Triple Play in Aviation
WOCA will also be the first aviation industry event in Chile to welcome representatives of the country's newly elected administration.
Aviation is a key contributor to economic and social development across Latin America and the Caribbean. The sector supports more than 8.3 million jobs and generates an economic contribution of some USD 240 billion in GDP (2023). Estimates show that these figures are set to nearly double by 2043 to 15 million supported jobs and USD 500 billion in GDP contribution.
> View the full details and current program
Media wishing to be accredited for the event should do so via the registration page.
