Central America has 30 international airports handling more than 31 million passengers per year, and has become a crucial hub for the transport of people and goods in the Western Hemisphere. In 2023, the region received 25.4 million visitors, a figure that underlines the importance of tourism for local economies. However, despite this progress, significant challenges remain that limit the full potential of air traffic in the region.

One of the main points of discussion at the forum will be the optimisation of airline charges, a factor that currently represents a barrier to competitiveness. Reducing these charges would not only make the region more accessible to travellers, but would also encourage greater economic and social integration between the countries of the isthmus. Improved air connectivity is seen as a way to boost trade, investment, and labour mobility, all key elements for sustainable and equitable development.

The forum will focus on identifying and promoting points of consensus among the different actors involved, in order to develop strategies to strengthen the infrastructure and services associated with air transport. The presence of regional and international organisations such as the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Central American Air Navigation Services Corporation (Cocesna), and the main airlines operating in the region, will be key to enrich the debate with diverse perspectives and innovative proposals.

One of the main objectives of this meeting is to consolidate a comprehensive approach that will enable Central America to position itself as a first class, accessible and safe tourist and commercial destination. To this end, issues such as the modernisation of airport infrastructure, the improvement of air safety, the simplification of migration and customs processes, and the creation of more efficient and direct air routes between the countries of the region will be discussed.

Another aspect to be addressed at the forum is the incorporation of advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of air transport in Central America. The digitisation of processes, the implementation of more sophisticated air traffic management systems, and the adoption of sustainable practices in aviation, will be topics of great relevance. These innovations will not only improve the user experience, but also contribute to the environmental and economic sustainability of the sector.

The First Regional Forum for the Improvement of Air Connectivity in Central America is not an isolated event, but the first step in a joint effort to establish the region as a reference in air connectivity. Cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as the active participation of international organisations, are essential to achieve this objective.

By hosting this forum, Guatemala is positioning itself as a leader in the promotion of regional integration, a process that will not only benefit aviation, but will also have a positive impact on tourism, the economy, and society as a whole. The expectation is that this event will mark the beginning of a series of initiatives that, in the long term, will transform air connectivity into an engine of sustainable development for all of Central America.

This forum promises to be the beginning of a new era in regional aviation, where cooperation and innovation will be the keys to a more integrated, prosperous and accessible future for all Central Americans.