We were honoured to join aviation leaders, government officials, and innovators from across the Americas last week at the IATA Wings of Change Americas (WOCA) in Bogotá, Colombia. Held under the theme “The Connectivity Frontier: Exploring New Opportunities in the Region”, the event brought together over 400 delegates from across the aviation ecosystem, including representatives from more than 19 global airlines and 30 media outlets.
As Latin America continues to grow its role on the global aviation stage, this year’s WOCA offered a powerful platform to reflect on where the industry has come from and where it’s headed next.
A Region on the Rise
The event opened with a welcome from Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá, who spotlighted El Dorado International Airport as a strategic asset for the region. José Henry Pinto Rodríguez, Director General of Colombia’s Aerocivil, followed with a vision to modernise the country's civil aviation infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency.
In a CEO roundtable moderated by CNN’s Gabriela Frías, industry leaders Pedro Heilbron (Copa), Frederico Pedreira (Avianca), Estuardo Ortiz (JetSMART), and Erika Zarante Bahamón (LATAM Colombia) reflected on the evolution of air transport in the Americas. The conversation spanned fleet renewal, sustainability, cost efficiency, and a more integrated future for the region.
Latin America’s economic and aviation potential was a recurring theme. Aviation currently supports 8.3 million jobs in the region. Forecasts project nearly 15 million jobs and $500 billion in GDP by 2043, indicating the region is primed for significant growth. Still, average air trips per capita remain low, suggesting untapped demand, especially in domestic markets. Argentina was highlighted as a leading example of regional aviation progress.
A Spotlight on Seamless, Digital Travel
Among the most exciting themes at WOCA was the role of digital identity in shaping more seamless travel. A forward-looking session led by SITA and others explored how technology - from digital credentials to AI and personalised retailing - can reduce friction across the passenger journey.
It’s a topic close to our heart at Branchspace, as we were proud to have contributed to the industry’s progress in this area through our involvement in IATA’s 2024 Proof of Concept on Digital Identity. Collaborating with IATA and airline partners on that initiative reaffirmed our commitment to enabling more secure, efficient, and traveller-centric digital experience.
Driving Sustainability Forward
The goal of net-zero air transport by 2050 was front and centre throughout the event. The Green Horizons panel brought together leaders from Airbus, LATAM, Boeing, and Abra Group to discuss the path to decarbonisation, while companies like BioD S.A. showcased the progress being made in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) across Latin America. IATA’s Fly Net Zero initiative reaffirmed the industry's shared responsibility in making this transition possible.
Building on that momentum, the event also highlighted how digital tools can enable sustainability in a hands-on way. Branchspace, for example, embeds ESG strategy directly into its mission, helping airlines reward greener passenger choices, support staff engagement and more effectively embed climate-conscious practices into everyday operations.
Celebrating Women in Aviation
The Women in Aviation breakfast highlighted Erika Zarante Bahamón, LATAM Colombia’s CEO, becoming the first female head of a Colombian airline, inspiring discussions on gender equity in aviation leadership.
Looking Ahead
As Peter Cerdá, IATA’s Regional VP for the Americas, remarked:
“The Wings of Change Americas Conference in Bogotá has set a new benchmark for collaboration and innovation in our region.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Our team left Bogotá energised by the conversations, inspired by the progress, and ready to keep contributing to the digital transformation of air travel in Latin America and beyond.
