Air freight has steadily been increasing in volume over the past few years, and the dynamism of the sector’s activity in the region is expected to continue over the next few years. Both the growth and modernization of the sector are key to the development of countries in the region, especially considering their multiplier effect, since the development of air transport leverages competitiveness and growth in other sectors, such as technology, tourism, and the financial and business sectors.

 

This mode of transport helps improve connectivity for isolated economies and regions, and is a citizens’ right. South America has a great opportunity for effective market growth by encouraging regional passenger and freight

aviation as well as border connectivity through regional airports.

 

However, for the region to fulfill its potential and meet growth forecasts competitively, safely, and sustainably, it is

necessary to implement public policies to tackle challenges relating to various different aspects of the industry, such as levels of service and regional coverage, connectivity, and regional integration and security.

 

As of October 2015, twenty-five projects included in the COSIPLAN Project Portfolio fall in the air subsector, amounting to an investment estimated at nearly US$7 billion.