Routes Americas Strategy Forum discusses region?s air transport industry

“A spirited enquiry” into the shape and direction of the aviation industry in North and South America was the description applied to the debate at the Routes Americas Strategy Forum, part of the 3rd Routes Americas in Lima, Peru.

Airline consolidation, airport privatisation and the impact of the US legacy carriers on the different markets were high on the many agenda items discussed.

Executive director of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), Alex de Gunten, declared that the Latin American and Caribbean markets are performing more strongly than others around the world. The region will carry on growing and weather the crisis better than other markets, he believes. The key challenges still needing to be addressed, he noted, are infrastructure constraints, unsuccessful airport privatisation models and the fragmentation of Latin American’s air transport industry.

On the infrasturucture front highlighted by de Gunten, Jaime Daly, CEO of Lima Airport Partners, host of this year’s Routes Americas, observed, “Airport privatisation is a reality and a necessity in Latin America. The question is not whether to privatise, but rather which model is best-suited to the region.”

John Kirby, director network planning at AirTran Airways, discussing whether US carriers are reshaping the Latin American and Caribbean airline industry, commented, “In the US the market is pretty mature. The fact that US carriers are looking at new markets is just the normal evolution of the industry. To me, it is a natural extension of existing business.”

Moderator Michael Bell, partner at Spencer Stuart, summed up the overall tone of the Strategy Forum, saying, “I sensed a high degree of engagement both on the part of the panellists and the audience.”

During Routes Americas, the first regional heat of this year’s Airport Marketing Awards took place and the winners for the Americas region were announced. Winners were chosen from three categories: North America, Central America/Caribbean and South America. Edmonton International Airport picked up the award for best airport in North America, Aruba – Queen Beatrix International Airport took the Central America/Caribbean category, while Quito International Airport was awarded best in South America.

The overall winner for the entire Americas region was Edmonton International Airport, which will now automatically be shortlisted for the World Awards, to be held at World Routes, which takes place in Vancouver from 19-21 September this year.

Routes has announced that the 4th Routes Americas will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Taking place in February 2011, the leading air service development event for the Americas will be hosted by Aerodom Siglo XXI.

Following on from the success of Routes Americas in Lima, the 2011 forum promises to attract even more delegates. “The strategic location of Santo Domingo makes it an important point of interconnection for passengers from all over the world and therefore a great location for the number one air service development event in the region. I am sure it will be a spectacular event,” proclaimed David Stroud, deputy CEO of RDG.