VIEW FROM THE TOP
OEM DOMINATES MEXICAN MARKET, TARGETS THE WORLD RAFAEL ALONSO President of Airbus Latin America and the Caribbean 54
Q: How is Airbus shaping aviation in Latin America?
140 to 240 seats), it allows the airline to choose the most
A: Airbus has been present in Latin America for 30 years
suitable option to complement its business model.
and has played a vital role in building the region’s dynamic aviation market. Airbus is proud to promote and support
Also, Interjet, Viva Aerobus and Volaris have all opted for the
local aviation professionals at its training and manufacturing
A320neo, the newest member of the A320 family, allowing
centers throughout Latin America. Airbus has made a long-
them to operate efficient, latest-generation aircraft while
term commitment to Mexico by employing highly trained
improving their environmental footprint. New-generation
local professionals via its Mexico Training Center and its
engines, Sharklet wing-tip devices and the numerous cabin
suppliers’ manufacturing facilities, leveraging the high-
innovations of the A320neo result in a 15 percent fuel-cost
quality local talent and ample selections of manufacturers
savings per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft.
that Mexico has to offer. Q: How is the demand for Airbus aircraft evolving in Latin Since 1990, Airbus has achieved more than 60 percent of
America and Mexico and how is Airbus adapting to these
net orders in the region and just in the last 10 years, we
market changes?
have tripled the size of our in-service fleet in Latin America
A: Latin America is one of the most exciting regions for
and the Caribbean. To date, we have sold more than 1,000
aviation. According to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast
aircraft in the region and have a backlog of more than 450
(GMF), over the next 20 years, Latin America will need over
orders. In Latin America and the Caribbean today, there are
2,500 new passenger and cargo aircraft to fulfill increasing
over 20 operators who fly our aircraft.
passenger demand. We estimate passenger traffic will grow at an annual rate of 4.5 percent (a rate on par with the
Q: Over 60 percent of all commercial aircraft flying in
global average) and the region’s middle class to reach 500
Mexico are Airbus. What made your aircraft so attractive
million people by 2035, more than twice as many as there
to the country?
were in 2006.
A: Mexico, Airbus’ top market in the region after Brazil, is a flourishing market with significant potential, a stable
In Mexico, aviation traffic has grown nearly 60 percent
government, long-term investment plans and a booming
since 2000, and in the next 20 years more than 600 aircraft
market for commercial air travel. The growth of Low-
will be needed to serve the Mexican market. One of the
Cost Carriers (LCC) in Mexico has been remarkable
main drivers of this growth is tourism, which is forecast
in the past 10 years, and has catalyzed the growth of
to contribute 5 percent of the country’s annual GDP
commercial aviation in the country. Interjet, Viva Aerobus
growth and account for 2.6 percent of added employment
and Volaris have revolutionized regional air transport and
between now and 2024. This economic growth presents a
has made air travel more accessible than ever. As these
key opportunity for Mexico’s carriers to expand their fleets
airlines grew, we have been able to adapt to their growth
and routes, especially in the international air traffic market.
models and fleet planning strategies at a critical time as
There is also a growing demand for training services for
they were absorbing much of the demand covered by
over 85,000 technicians and pilots in Latin America in the
Mexicana when it left the market.
next 20 years. In response, Airbus has opened training and maintenance centers in Mexico City, Campinas, Brazil, and
Globally, the demand for single-aisle aircraft is growing and
Buenos Aires, Argentina. This also allows us to directly
the A320 family has prevailed as Latin America’s aircraft
support our customers’ growth and productivity.
of choice. The A320 family has been successful for our customers in Mexico particularly because of its versatility.
Q: Which regions in Latin America do you expect to grow
Because it is available in three different sizes (ranging from
the most in aviation and in aircraft demand?
