CAPA Airline Leader Summit Latin America & Caribbean

Join CAPA - Centre for Aviation, the world's most trusted source for aviation intelligence, for a comprehensive snapshot of the state of commercial aviation across the globe. Featuring exclusive insights generated from CAPA's extensive data and aviation knowledge tools, this session will not only examine key performance metrics for aviation, but will examine implications for major trends in regional aviation that are shaping the industry's outlook.

CAPA TV sits down with Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbron for an Airline Leader Interview on the opportunities and challenges shaping aviation across the Americas. Watch the conversation for his perspective on the airline's priorities and what lies ahead.

CAPA sits down with BermudAir CEO Adam Scott to discuss the airline's vision, its approach to the passenger experience and the opportunities ahead. Watch the Airline Leader Interview for his perspective on building an airline around Bermuda.

CAPA TV sits down with ABRA Group Chief Commercial Officer Angus Clarke to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping aviation across Latin America. Watch the Airline Leader Interview for his perspective on the group's commercial priorities and what lies ahead.

What turns an airline booking into a lasting customer relationship? In "From Transaction to Trust," Peter Smith of Cover Genius explores what travellers value today and how airlines can build confidence at every stage of the journey.

Latin America's air cargo sector is evolving rapidly, driven by the surge in e-commerce and the growing demand for specialised cargo services such as pharmaceuticals and perishables. Industry leaders are invited to discuss how upgrading infrastructure and adopting advanced technologies can enhance efficiency and meet rising market needs. This conversation will explore the transformative opportunities in air cargo, positioning Latin America as a key player in the global logistics landscape. Join the dialogue to shape the future of air cargo in the region and capitalise on emerging trends.

An engaging discussion with airline and alliance leaders exploring how strategic partnerships and consolidation can unlock new opportunities across Latin America. This session will focus on the collaborative potential of industry alignment-examining how alliances, joint ventures, and thoughtful consolidation strategies can expand regional and international connectivity, create win-win competitive dynamics, and accelerate growth in tourism, trade, and local employment.

• How can alliances and collaborative frameworks enhance network reach, operational efficiency, and customer experience while preserving market diversity?

• How can growth strategies help build partnerships that benefit multiple stakeholders - airlines, communities, employees, and passengers?

• What are the best practices for working with regulators to design consolidation and partnership structures that promote fair competition and consumer choice?

• How can strategic alignment accelerate environmental goals and resource optimisation across the region?

• What are the lessons from international markets where thoughtful consolidation and alliance strategies have strengthened aviation ecosystems?

The session will address key considerations for successful partnerships, including maintaining competitive choice, ensuring continued service to emerging markets, protecting employment through growth-oriented strategies and implementing governance frameworks that balance efficiency with regional connectivity needs.

The Caribbean aviation market faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities as it navigates a period of potential growth within the broader Latin American aviation sector. A key challenge lies in ensuring that air navigation services (ANS) and airport infrastructure are modernised and equipped with sufficient capacity to handle the rising demand for passenger and cargo services. However, this also presents an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate on developing efficient, state-of-the-art facilities that can drive regional connectivity and economic growth. By fostering public-private partnerships, aviation leaders can unlock critical funding, promote innovation, and prioritise sustainable development, creating a resilient aviation ecosystem that benefits the entire region. Addressing these challenges through strategic collaboration and investment will be essential to shaping the future of the Caribbean's aviation infrastructure and securing long-term success in this dynamic market.

Traditional airline categories no longer explain competitive success. As industry complexity continues to rise and business models increasingly converge, the challenge for airline leaders is shifting from optimizing individual strategic choices to ensuring that customer proposition, operations, and economics work together as a coherent system. This keynote explores why some airlines consistently outperform while others drift, and how strategic coherence can create resilience, meaningful differentiation, and lasting competitive advantage. Combining global airline insights with perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean, the session examines what it takes to build and sustain high-performing airlines in an increasingly dynamic industry.

As the global aviation industry intensifies its focus on sustainability, Latin America has a unique opportunity to lead the way in adopting greener practices. This discussion invites industry leaders to explore the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), carbon-neutral initiatives, and innovations in green technology that can reduce environmental impact. Key topics include navigating regulatory frameworks for environmental compliance and addressing the differing approaches of international airlines and regional operators. Join this critical dialogue to shape a sustainable future for aviation while balancing growth, innovation and environmental responsibility.

The aviation industry in Latin America is at a pivotal moment, where embracing digital transformation can redefine efficiency and customer experience. Industry leaders are invited to discuss how AI, IoT, and big data can drive personalisation, streamline ticketing, cargo, and logistics, and enhance cybersecurity for seamless operations. As customer expectations evolve in a competitive market, innovative strategies and data-driven insights can personalise passenger experiences, foster loyalty, and boost retention. Join this conversation to explore transformative solutions that position airlines as leaders in customer-centric innovation and digital excellence.

Latin America and the Caribbean are entering a new phase of international aviation growth. Strong leisure demand, expanding VFR markets, improving economic fundamentals in key countries and growing premium traffic are creating fresh opportunities for airlines to reshape long-haul networks. At the same time, changing geopolitics, evolving fleet capabilities and shifting alliance dynamics are opening the door to new route strategies that would have appeared unlikely only a few years ago.

Europe remains one of the regions' most strategically important long-haul markets, with airlines continuing to deepen their presence through Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam and London. Yet competition is intensifying as North American airlines strengthen their own southbound networks while Asia-Pacific carriers begin exploring new opportunities through intermediate hubs and ultra-long-haul aircraft capabilities.

This session brings together airline leaders from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to examine where the next decade of international growth will emerge. Which markets remain underserved? How should airlines balance tourism with premium business demand? Where can partnerships unlock new opportunities? And how will changing aircraft economics influence future network decisions?

As airlines continue searching for sustainable long-haul growth, Latin America and the Caribbean are increasingly becoming strategic markets rather than simply seasonal destinations. The question is no longer whether growth will continue-but which airlines will be best positioned to capture it.

Latin America's aviation sector is poised for significant growth, and it is essential to ensure modern ANS and airport infrastructure and sufficient capacity to fully enable this potential. This discussion invites airline and airport leaders to explore strategies for developing modern, efficient facilities that can meet rising passenger and cargo demand. By fostering public-private partnerships, aviation stakeholders can unlock funding, drive innovation, and ensure sustainable development that benefits the entire region. Join this critical conversation to shape the future of Latin America's aviation infrastructure and create a foundation for long-term success.

Workforce shortages are a pressing issue for Latin America's aviation industry, with pilot shortages and training gaps threatening operational growth. This discussion invites industry leaders to explore strategies for building a resilient and diverse workforce, promoting inclusion in aviation leadership, and addressing critical training needs. By fostering collaboration and innovation, leaders can ensure the region's aviation sector is equipped to meet future demands while driving sustainable growth. Join this vital conversation to shape the future of talent development in Latin American aviation.

This session will look at how Latin America's aviation industry is facing a complex regulatory environment that demands strategic navigation and collaboration. From harmonising aviation standards to improve efficiency and safety, to addressing emerging challenges through stronger partnerships between governments and industry stakeholders, the region presents both obstacles and opportunities.

Airline leaders must also contend with risks from political instability, currency fluctuations, fleet shortages and the economic ripple effects of global conflicts, including the Middle East war. Rising oil prices further complicate regulatory frameworks and operational costs, while cross-border trade agreements offer a path to mitigate geopolitical and economic pressures. This discussion invites airline leaders to explore solutions that drive resilience, innovation, and growth in the face of these multifaceted challenges.

Arajet, COO, Garret Malone spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Latin America & Caribbean 2026, hosted in Panama City, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

ABRA Group, Chief Commercial Officer, Angus Clarke spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Latin America & Caribbean 2026, hosted in Panama City, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

interCaribbean Airways, CEO, Trevor Sadler spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Latin America & Caribbean 2026, hosted in Panama City, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

Copa Airlines, CEO, Pedro Heilbron spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Latin America & Caribbean 2026, hosted in Panama City, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.

BermudAir, Founder & CEO, Adam Scott spoke to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Latin America & Caribbean 2026, hosted in Panama City, about latest industry trends and company developments.

CAPA Events are hosted in key markets around the world and attract the highest calibre of thought leaders and decision makers in the aviation and travel industry. Delegates are provided with unprecedented access to the latest data, insights and trends from our global team, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with executives across all sectors of the aviation and travel industry. Review CAPA's full events calendar here.