Latin American aviation faces a paradox : it has all the ingredients for takeoff—vast geography, large populations, and expanding economies—but it is burdened by structural costs that limit its growth. This was the point made by Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , during the organization’s 82nd Annual General Meeting, held in Rio de Janeiro. His message was direct: if taxes and regulatory burdens remain high, much of that potential will remain unrealized.

The diagnosis is not an exaggeration. Last April, total air traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 39.2 million passengers , a year-on-year increase of 1% compared to the same month in 2015. This figure contrasts sharply with the start of the year: in January, 45.1 million passengers traveled, an increase of 6.2%, driven primarily by domestic and intraregional connectivity. The subsequent slowdown, according to the reports themselves, is due to less dynamism in the Brazilian and Mexican markets, the region’s two traditional engines of growth.

But the criticism turned to the Peruvian case: if Lima introduces a tax on connecting flights, Walsh warned, “it will simply take passengers to another destination,” which highlights something governments often underestimate: the elasticity of air travel demand in relation to costs. Walsh summarized this with a compelling statistic about Brazil, where a 26.5% tax on tickets discourages international tourism to a country that, on paper, has one of the strongest destination brands on the continent.

Added to this is a structural problem: the cost of fuel, exacerbated by currency risk . Latin American airlines are among the best managed in the world, but with some of the narrowest margins in the sector globally. As has been said many times, this is an industry that moves enormous volumes of people and generates huge economic benefits in tourism, foreign investment, connectivity, etc., while its direct profitability is minimal.

The Mexican case illustrates both points. On the one hand, Mexico has growth opportunities, albeit at a slower pace, partly because it is a more mature market and partly because of the problems stemming from the US FAA’s Category 2 regulations, which threaten to be repeated.

On the other hand, there is concern about the real and nominal state of Mexico City International Airport (AICM) : slot limitations have it hamstrung. In 2025, AICM handled 44.5 million passengers, and a 10% growth is projected for 2026, but the ground infrastructure doesn’t allow it to maintain its runway capacity , which is 61 operations per hour . Walsh was clear: the major investment plans for AICM are on hold, and that’s the real question about its future capacity.

IATA’s message to the region’s governments is simple, albeit politically uncomfortable: competitive operating environments attract more traffic , generate greater economic benefits, and are more resilient than high-tax environments, which, once they drive away passengers and airlines, are much harder to recover. Domestic connectivity would be especially valuable for economic and consumer growth in countries where it is still underdeveloped.

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El cargo The air environment in Latin America apareció primero en T21.

The conflict in the Middle East impacted air cargo demand during March 2026, registering a 4.8% year-on-year drop , the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported .

The agency detailed that capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), also showed a negative trend, decreasing 4.7% year-on-year.

“This was primarily due to severe disruptions at major Gulf (Persian) hubs because of the war in the Middle East. The usual timing of the post-Lunar New Year slowdown also contributed to the decline. Importantly, air cargo networks are providing the necessary flexibility to support global supply chains as they adapt to geopolitical, tariff, and operational tensions. All eyes are on fuel supply and pricing, which are expected to test the industry’s resilience in the coming months,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

IATA indicated that Middle Eastern airlines experienced a 54.3% year-over-year decrease in air cargo demand in March 2026, the weakest performance of all regions. Capacity decreased 52.4% year-over-year.

“The Middle East was the determining factor in the industry’s performance. Cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK) contracted by 54.3% year-on-year, reflecting the sharpest decline among all major markets, as the conflict disrupted hub connectivity and reduced aircraft utilization,” Walsh emphasized.

The agency pointed out that jet fuel prices rose sharply in March , up to 106.6% year-on-year, along with a 43.1% increase in crude oil costs and a 320% increase in refining margins during the period.

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Grupo Aeroméxico reported a 13.3% increase in its revenue during the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period last year, despite the increase in fuel prices as a result of geopolitical events recorded since the end of February.

In its report sent to the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV), it indicated that the cost of fuel per liter increased 13.1% compared to the aforementioned period, averaging 77 cents of a dollar per liter versus 68 cents of a dollar per liter internationally.

Therefore, total operating expenses – including fuel, labor, maintenance, passenger and aircraft services, aircraft leases, depreciation and amortization – reached $1.2 billion , reflecting a 15.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

However, total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 amounted to $1.341 billion, representing a 13.3% increase compared to the same period of the previous year, driven by premium revenue, the sustained recovery of demand that began in the second half of 2025, and the appreciation of the Mexican peso, which allowed for a solid revenue performance during the quarter.

“Aeromexico started the year on a solid footing, building on the momentum of the second half of 2025. Demand remained strong throughout the quarter, driving good revenue performance, even in a dynamic environment with temporary disruptions in some specific domestic markets. We maintained high levels of profitability, despite the pressure on margins generated by the increase in fuel prices,” said Andrés Conesa, CEO of the airline.

During the period, Aeromexico’s capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), decreased 1.2% year over year, adjusted EBITDA totaled $335.8 million, with a margin of 25%, representing an increase of 5% compared to the same period of the previous year.

Meanwhile, net income totaled $10.7 million, with a margin of 0.8 percent. As of March 31, Grupo Aeroméxico’s operating fleet consisted of 166 aircraft, with an average age of 8.8 years.

Similarly, he indicated that he expects an increase of between 12.5% ​​and 15.5% in his revenue for the second quarter of the year.

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JB Hunt Transport Services  reported a 5% increase in its operating revenue during the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26) compared to the same period in 2025, driven mainly by the intermodal segment.

According to its financial report, in 1Q26 the company earned three billion 060 million dollars (mdd) compared to the two billion 920 million dollars of the first quarter of 2025 (1Q25).

“We started the year with strong financial results, building on the momentum we achieved in 2025, and once again, we executed well on safety performance, setting a record in the first quarter. While the operating environment remains dynamic, we continue to leverage our investments in people, technology, and capacity, positioning the company to generate long-term value for our shareholders,” said Shelley Simpson, president and CEO of the firm.

The increase in revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, was primarily driven by increased cargo volumes in intermodal (JBI) , full truckload (JBT) and Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), higher revenue and increased productivity in Dedicated Contractual Services (DCS).

“The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher revenue, the execution of our initiative to eliminate structural costs and the improvement of productivity across the organization, partially offset by higher transportation expenses for purchases, especially in our ICS and JBT segments,” he said.

He detailed that intermodal revenue in the first quarter of the year was $1.5 billion , 2% more than in the same period of 2025; while volume increased 3% year-on-year.

Cargo volumes on the transcontinental network remained stable, while domestic volumes increased by 7 percent. “Overall demand for our domestic intermodal services remained strong during the quarter, delivering the highest volume in our company’s history and a record-breaking week in March,” Shelley Simpson noted.

Regarding revenue from dedicated services, the company stated that it earned $841 million, a 2% year-over-year increase, driven by increased productivity, excluding fuel surcharge revenue.

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Despite the conflict in the Middle East, global cargo movement grew 11.2% in February 2026  compared to the same month in 2025 , the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced . 

“Demand for air cargo grew by 11.2% in February. Even taking into account the boost in demand from the increased flow of goods ahead of the Lunar New Year, February saw strong growth. However, the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East at the end of the month makes it impossible for us to predict demand trends for 2026,” emphasized Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

He said that the sharp increase in fuel costs, its scarcity in some parts of the world and the chaos at major cargo airports in the Gulf (Persian) are causing considerable changes.

“Although air freight has repeatedly demonstrated its strength and flexibility in adverse situations, the best outcome for everyone is for the war to end soon and for fuel supplies and costs to return to normal,” he said.

According to IATA data, the price of jet fuel (the fuel used by airplanes) has risen, on average, 118.9% globally between February 20 and March 20, 2026, due to the conflict in the Middle East.

During the second month of 2026, Middle Eastern airlines recorded a 16.5% year-on-year increase in tonne-kilometers transported, while capacity grew 13.5% year-on-year.

 Meanwhile, Latin American and Caribbean airlines increased ton-kilometers transported by 0.7% compared to February 2025. They also reported a 4.5% annual growth in capacity.

North American airlines saw a 9.4% year-on-year increase and a 5.3% increase in capacity during the comparison period, according to IATA data.

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El cargo Global air cargo sees increase in February despite Middle East conflict: IATA apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) warned that the conflict in the Middle East will not only generate increases in oil prices and transportation costs, but will also have an impact on agro-industrial products .

“Many of the products, such as fertilizers and raw materials that we use for our industry, pass through there and are being suspended,” said Eva María Muñoz, president of Amacarga, at The Logistics World Summit & Expo .

The US-Israeli conflict against Iran has disrupted international logistics and transportation markets, causing disruptions and suspensions in maritime and air routes. As a result, shipping and air freight rates have increased substantially.

In an interview, Muñoz specified that the cost of fuel for air transport has risen by up to 73% , while maritime transport has experienced increases of up to one thousand percent.

He also noted that airlines such as Lufthansa , KLM , and Emirates have suspended flights in the Middle East, as has the shipping company Maersk , which has halted operations in the area.

“It’s a very sensitive area, and all of this is creating problems for us. Oil passes through there, and it won’t just be an increase in oil, gasoline, and transportation costs,” he emphasized.

Even though the conflict is focused on the Middle East region, the entire global passenger and freight transport system has been disrupted , Muñoz said.

In that regard, he considered that, although a rebound in cargo handling was expected, there is no good outlook for this segment due to the conflict, since a short-term solution is not foreseen.

“This war is going to give us more time, and I don’t think it will help us much, globally, to move forward,” he said.

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Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) announced that over the next five years it will allocate resources to improve its fuel distribution infrastructure, in addition to participating in other businesses such as Mexicana’s MRO and biofuels .

“Participate in a partnership for the acquisition and operation of Mexicana’s aircraft maintenance base (MRO), in order to contribute to the connectivity and development of the aeronautical sector in our country,” the organization indicated, without giving further details, in its 2025-2030 Institutional Program , released to the National Commission  for Regulatory Improvement ( Conamer) .

The above, he explained, is part of his new goals to enter strategic areas of air transportation by providing specialized services, advice, and technical consulting with the goal of strengthening the aviation sector.

Likewise, it announced that it will invest in priority infrastructure, such as new fuel stations and expanding the capacity of others . It will also renew its specialized equipment to provide highly qualified service through sustainable, efficient, and safe operations that comply with international standards.

“In this way, ASA will maintain its leadership in the aviation fuel market, helping to ensure that the benefits of progress are distributed more equitably throughout the country. It will also contribute to closing regional development gaps, guaranteeing quality services, and strengthening national energy security,” he stated.

To this end, it will increase the storage capacity of fuel stations in Oaxaca, Querétaro, Ciudad Juárez, and the Bajío region, in addition to building a tanker truck shuttle in polygon 2 of Mexico City International Airport (AICM) .

It will also complete the modernization of the infrastructure of the fuel station storage system in Cancún, the construction of new fuel stations in San José del Cabo, Tepic, and Puerto Escondido, the replacement of the turbo-sino pipeline at Terminal 1 of the AICM, and the renewal of the supply vehicle fleet.

Regarding sustainable aviation fuels , ASA will promote the development of infrastructure for storage and blending, with the construction of two bioturbosine centers in Mexico City and Cancun .

The agency noted that starting in 2027, eight Mexican airline operators must monitor, report, verify, and offset their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and net-zero emissions must be achieved by 2050 .

“Failure to comply with these agreements will continue to increase greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the ability to attract investment and tourism, and Mexico will lose competitiveness compared to countries with advanced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policies,” he stated.

He asserted that the lack of this type of fuel could limit the operations of international airlines in the country , in addition to putting Mexican airlines at a disadvantage compared to those that already use it.

In the case of specialized aeronautical personnel and in light of the deficiencies in training and certification, the Ministry will seek to create educational options by strengthening its International Training Center (CIIASA) and creating the Division of University and Postgraduate Studies.

“(It) contemplates the training of 150,000 professionals annually in strategic sectors, with the conviction that the country has the talent, capacity, and resources to consolidate itself as one of the most dynamic economies in the world,” he said.

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Edenred unveiled Ticket Car+ , a platform that incorporates more than 10 features to strengthen control, operational transparency, and decision-making in corporate mobility , according to Pablo Chiappetta, CEO of Mobility Edenred.

With this development, fleet fuel management is taking a step toward real-time traceability, the executive said.

The focus is on ensuring that what is paid for is exactly what was loaded : GPS-based load certification, automatic odometer validation, and integration with station volumetrics, so that each liter registered corresponds to the amount dispatched, brand representatives explained during the launch event.

Added to this is the planning of optimal routes to reduce time and optimize resources, commented Ulises Aquino, Product Director of Edenred Mexico.

With financial availability, funding is immediate through STP transfers, designed for 24/7 operations and off-hours peaks. Reports are dynamic and customizable , with configurable dashboards to turn data into action, added Pedro Kuri, Edenred’s commercial manager.

National coverage exceeds seven thousand affiliated stations , and more than 80% are diesel-powered, providing operating margin for mixed fleets, according to the company.

The solution also includes chip cards, TAG/DriveTAG (tolls integrated with TeleVía ), and virtual cards with QR payment, designed for rapid deployment and frictionless replacements.

It also includes an NFC option for presence control at the charging point. Switching from a physical card to NFC can generate fuel savings of between 6% and 8%, Kuri explained.

For connectivity contingencies at stations, offline operations allow transactions to continue and synchronize when the network is restored ; additionally, there is 24/7 support dedicated to resolving incidents, according to the company.

The platform is designed to work with various GPS and telemetry providers . Through integrations, it allows for certifying vehicle location and validating each charge, in addition to more accurately calculating mile-by-mile performance, without relying on a single technology provider, Aquino explained.

The offering includes a module with a national network of more than four thousand workshops and auto parts stores, as well as a technical unit that validates estimates and repairs based on scales and evidence, in order to reduce costs and downtime, according to Chiappetta.

The transition comes at no additional cost to customers and was designed with interoperability so that operations can continue with current devices while the new platform is configured, Chiappetta said.

By September 2025, 4,500 customers (more than six million liters) will already be using Ticket Car+ , with a 20-point increase in NPS compared to the previous platform. The plan is to reach 50% of migrated customers in the first quarter of 2026, 75% in the second quarter of 2026, and 100% by the end of next year, according to figures provided by the brand.

Pablo Chiappetta emphasized that the company has already launched pilot projects in Mexico and is looking to leverage its experience in Europe. The goal is for fleets to be able to manage their own charging stations at the base and, over time, integrate the public charging network to expand off-road operating possibilities.

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El cargo Edenred launches Ticket Car+ to strengthen fuel control in fleets. apareció primero en T21.

Grupo Express del Norte pivoted its fleet management by incorporating Samsara technology , which includes smart cameras, GPS tracking, and advanced monitoring systems.

With these tools, the company managed to reduce severe accidents by 89% and shorten response times to safety alerts from up to one hour to just five minutes, according to a press release.

The benefits were also reflected in insurance : the increase in policies was just 2%, compared to the industry average of 10% to 12%, in addition to discounts on deductibles due to lower claims.

This is in addition to the recovery of more than $169,000 in stolen merchandise and assets, as well as a 50% reduction in fuel consumption due to idling and a 16% reduction in speeding.

In terms of human resources , operator turnover decreased from 33% to an average of 7%, which the company attributes to improvements in safety and staff training.

Julia Monroy, Samsara’s Commercial Director of Strategic Corporate Accounts in Mexico, explained that the experience with Grupo Express del Norte demonstrates how strategically applied technology “can transform traditional operations into more secure, efficient, and profitable processes.”

For his part, Juan Peñalver Hernández, CEO of Grupo Express del Norte, stated that the adoption of these solutions reflects a vision of innovation to strengthen security, optimize routes, and reduce costs.

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Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) reported in a press release that it invested more than 655 million pesos (mdp) for the acquisition ofspecialized equipment for the supply of aviation fuels, with which it seeks to maintain high standards of quality and efficiency in its operations.

He specified that it will add 40 tankers for jet fuel and 15 dispensers , 10 suction units and 15 tankers for jet fuel, which will directly benefit 38 of its fuel stations, including Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta, San Jose del Cabo, Queretaro, Bajio, Reynosa, Tepic and Poza Rica.

“In order to continue offering quality and highly specialized services, ASA has made a significant investment in the acquisition of new equipment with cutting-edge technology. With this new fleet, it has a total of 447 supply units that will allow it to optimize operations and guarantee an uninterrupted fuel service to airlines,” he said.

He also explained that the inclusion of these new vehicles allows for more efficient supply services , increasing the safety of people and facilities, as they are state-of-the-art equipment and manufactured under the highest quality standards and in compliance with national and international regulations.

In addition to the reduction in times that will be achieved in each supply operation, airlines will also be able to ensure that their flights are carried out with maximum punctuality, as well as continuing to guarantee that their fuels meet the demands of the national and international market.

ASA announced that it will continue to acquire more vehicles in order to replace and modernize all its vehicles over the next six years, and plans to purchase at least 40 new vehicles per year.

Therefore, the acquisition of 40 new units is scheduled for 2025, with an investment of more than 400 million pesos.

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