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AIA Increases Civil Aviation Export Promotion Activities

Recognizing civil aviation as one of the most dynamic sectors of infrastructure growth in the Latin American and Caribbean region, AIA teamed with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in December to organize the U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s (USTDA) Latin America – Caribbean Aviation Summit. The Miami, Fla. Event drew 300 attendees from throughout the region and supported the President’s National Export Initiative. Cortney Robinson, AIA’s Director of Civil Aviation Infrastructure attended the Summit on behalf of the association.

Countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region are striving to meet current and projected increased demand for air travel as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. As a result of efforts to accelerate infrastructure improvements, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has witnessed considerable interest from the region in development funding in recent years. Consequently, the region has developed a broad portfolio of prospective airport sector projects. The summit featured opportunities for U.S. industry in these areas along with other aviation industry topics that will help to promote new project development and U.S. exports.

The summit featured presentations by AIA member companies and U.S. government officials on technical, regulatory and commercial issues of interest both to U.S. firms and to the participating delegates. These presentations covered such topics as:   airport security, airport IT management, airport safety, innovations in air traffic control and air traffic management.

With support from sponsors Raytheon, L-3, SaabSenis and Harris Corp., AIA also organized a members-only “Dinner with the Delegates” which provided AIA member companies with direct access to decision makers and potential customers from the region to discuss potential business opportunities.  Dinner guests included the President of ANAC (Brazil), the Director General of Civil Aviation of Chile, the Executive Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), and the Director of FAA’s Western Hemisphere Office.

During the summit the Miami-Dade Aviation Department hosted delegates for a day at Miami International Airport, the largest U.S. gateway for Latin America and the Caribbean air traffic and one of the leading international passenger and freight airports in the world. Airport officials provided delegates with briefings on a broad range of airport-related topics including finances and capital improvement programs, security systems, air traffic management and community relations.

AIA attendees at the summit found it to be an excellent technical, policy and commercial forum to introduce U.S. companies and their products and services to regional government and industry representatives.  The event offered valuable networking opportunities for U.S. companies with key Latin American and Caribbean airport and aviation officials from across the region.
Cortney Robinson welcomes inquiries and suggestions from AIA members interested in keeping abreast of similar international opportunities.

AIA Source: cortney.robinson[at]aia-aerospace.org