Colombia will host the 'Wings of Change Americas 2025' aviation event.

Colombia consolidates its leadership in regional and global aviation. According to IATA (International Air Transport Association), the country's airline industry has shown steady growth in recent years, accounting for 9.7 percent of passenger traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean.

For this reason, IATA has chosen Bogotá as the host city for the Wings of Change Americas (WOCA) 2025 Conference , which will take place on June 26-26 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

According to figures from the association, 8.6 million passengers departed from Colombia to international destinations; the country also ranks 25th in the global air cargo market ; and cumulative growth in international passenger air traffic to Colombia over the last decade was more than 93 percent. Therefore, IATA points out that the contribution of the Colombian aviation sector has been key to the development of the regional airline industry.

In February, the Civil Aeronautics reported that Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport handled 45,802,360 passengers in 2024, consolidating its position as the busiest airport in South America for the third consecutive year.

Furthermore, in 2023, the Colombian aviation sector contributed $15.5 billion to the national GDP (4.3 percent of the national total) and generated 921,000 jobs.

Air connectivity in Colombia is a key factor in strengthening economic competitiveness, boosting national production, and promoting greater levels of efficiency and innovation.

The Latin American and Caribbean aviation event is being held under the theme: "The Connectivity Frontier: Exploring New Opportunities in the Region." The agenda highlights the importance of collaboration between the airline industry and government agencies, with a specific focus on improving regional connectivity and competitiveness.

Highlights to be discussed include travel and tourism, technology and innovation, operations, sustainability, and distribution. Prominent airline CEOs from the region, members of international organizations, and executives from industry-related organizations will participate in the event.

" More than 300 leaders are expected to gather at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bogotá, where they will debate and analyze future actions that reinforce the essential role of aviation as a strategic partner, promoting social connectivity and acting as an engine of development for countries, even in challenging times," the association's bulletin concludes.

ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ - TRAVEL EDITORIAL - @angs0614