Dear readers, March was an important month for air transport in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) since, for the third time since the beginning of the pandemic, the region sured the enger levels of 2019. Before, this overcoming happened in September and December 2022.
This is good news amidst the forecasts facing the industry, especially on economic issues. The most recent estimates by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), published at the end of April 2023, show that the region's economy will grow by 1,6% this year, a value that represents a deceleration of 0,2 point in relation to its projections for January 2023. This low growth expectation will result in lower demand for the air transport service, especially in a region where 25% of family income goes to purchase food.
The IMF also estimates that inflation will be 13% at the end of 2023. In this sense, it is not surprising that the region is experiencing an increase in interest rates from the monetary policy that impacts the economy, a variable that also negatively affects the demand for health services. air Transport.
In comparison, the region's currencies had an appreciation trend until 2023, but are lower compared to 2019. Therefore, exchange rates negatively affect the sector, as 75% of its cost structure is dollarized.
The year 2023 outlines a very complex scenario economically. Most countries and productive sectors in the world are still recovering from the consequences of the pandemic and dealing with the global inflationary context.
This complex panorama invites us not only to maintain resilience as a mission, but to work more closely with the governments of the region on fiscal and legislative strategies that allow the attraction of capital, operational efficiency and the improvement of conditions for engers.
Aviation needs smart and healthy regulations to be able to keep flying and offer more and better conditions in providing an essential service.
This is not the time to allow adversity to overcome us. On the part of ALTA, we will continue working, building bridges, in addition to offering relevant information that will contribute to making correct decisions and boosting our economies.
This report is a sample of a t work, which is why in this edition we celebrate the fact of being able to increase the number of countries that offer their enger traffic data. THE HIGH thanks especially to civil aviation authorities and the Latin American Aviation Commission (CLAC), who kindly work with us to generate regional statistics and relevant studies.
That is the task: working together. Let's continue!
Thanks for your reading,
José Ricardo Botelho
