IATA Wings of Change Americas Conference to Be Hosted in Santiago de Chile

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that this year’s Wings of Change Americas (WOCA) Conference will be taking place on 8-9 April in Santiago de Chile, with LATAM as the host airline.

Event Details
- Dates: April 8–9, 2026
- Location: Santiago de Chile
- Host Airline: LATAM Airlines Group
- Edition: 16th

Theme
“Beyond Borders – Aviation as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation”
The focus is on how aviation can drive regional connectivity, accelerate economic growth, and strengthen global competitiveness.

Strategic Collaboration:
Panels will emphasize partnerships between aviation and government authorities as a driver of economic transformation.

Topics Covered:
- Sustainability & Innovation – overcoming barriers to net zero in Latin America
- Airport Executive Roundtable – next-generation infrastructure
- Regulatory Roundtable – balancing consumer protection with industry viability
- Air Cargo & Logistics – unlocking trade potential
- Code, Cloud, Cabin – AI’s role in aviation

Speakers:
Over 400 leaders expected, including top airline CEOs:
- Roberto Alvo (LATAM Airlines Group)
- Daniel Belaunde (Sky Airline)
- Adrian Neuhauser (Abra Group)
- Gabriel Oliva (Avianca Group)
- Estuardo Ortiz (JetSMART Airlines)

Economic Context
- Aviation supports 8.3 million jobs and contributes USD 240 billion GDP in Latin America & the Caribbean (2023).
- By 2043, projections show nearly 15 million jobs and USD 500 billion GDP contribution.

This conference will also be the first major aviation event in Chile under the country’s newly elected administration, making it a pivotal moment for policy alignment and industry growth.