IATA's Wings of Change Americas Sets Milestones in Bogota
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) successfully held its 2025 Wings of Change Americas (WOCA) conference for the first time in Colombia, bringing together over 400 delegates, including top government officials and aeronautical leaders from across the region. Hosted by Avianca, the event marked a new chapter in regional aviation dialogue and cooperation.
Under the theme "The Connectivity Frontier: Exploring New Opportunities in the Region," the two-day conference (June 25–26) emphasized the need for strong collaboration between industry and governments to strengthen regional connectivity and boost economic competitiveness. Despite the sector's economic weight—$240 billion in GDP and 8.3 million jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean—the region still sees an average of just 0.65 air trips per citizen annually, well below North America and Europe.
Among the most compelling moments were insights from airline CEOs such as Adrian Neuhauser (Abra Group), Frederico Pedreira (Avianca), Erika Zarante Bahamón (LATAM Colombia), and Pedro Heilbron (Copa Airlines), who shared strategies for expanding access and sustainability. Zarante Bahamón also participated in the “Women in Aviation” breakfast, where she spoke about becoming the first woman to lead a Colombian airline.
Government support was equally visible. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán underscored the strategic role of El Dorado International Airport, while José Henry Pinto Rodríguez, Director General of Colombia’s Civil Aeronautics, reaffirmed his office’s commitment to operational efficiency and aviation sector growth.
Ahead of the conference, IATA and UN Tourism held a Ministerial Roundtable, uniting representatives from ten tourism ministries and airline leaders. More than 50 bilateral meetings took place, aiming to enhance regional connectivity through cross-sector collaboration.
IATA will continue its partnership with UN Tourism leading up to the Summit of the Americas in Punta Cana this December, working alongside Carlos Peguero, Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, to ensure aviation and tourism take center stage in regional policy discussions. The next WOCA edition will take place in Chile in April 2026.
