ISTAT Jetrader - Spring 2022 - 13

We have seen consolidation, which in general is
good for the industry, but each crisis has made our
industry stronger, more efficient and better prepared
to face the next challenge.
In Latin America, like the rest of the world, airlines have had to adapt to the
COVID-19 situation. While all airlines have had to adjust to new circumstances, in
Mexico, low-cost carriers have further captured domestic market share, a market
that exceptionally never stopped operating. In other countries in the region, the
younger airlines have also seen markets abandoned by the incumbents as an
opportunity to grow rapidly. Other carriers have explored new sources of revenue
by deploying " preighters, " a neologism to define passengers aircraft converted to
temporary freighters.
Jetrader: What is your view on the industry's recovery from COVID-19? What
are the positive signals you are seeing, and what concerns you? How has the
industry changed for the better?
RA: So far, commercial aviation has been resilient to all the crises and adverse
circumstances that the world has gone through - be it financial crisis, SARS,
wars, terrorism or, more recently, COVID-19. Historically, we have seen passenger
numbers doubling every 15 years despite the fact that traffic slows down in times
of crisis. Regretfully, COVID-19 is not over yet, and it will be difficult to predict how
much longer it will last. We were optimistic in the third quarter of 2021 that with
massive vaccinations the pandemic seemed under control, but by the end of the
year, we saw an unprecedented rise in cases that made many people reconsider
their travel plans, affecting the much-needed recovery of the industry.
In any case, I am optimistic and sure that sooner rather than later this nightmare
will be behind us and that the couple of years of lost traffic will be recovered with
strong global growth. Every challenge represents an opportunity, in particular for
those who are prepared and organized to face it. This pandemic has revealed that
one of the most valuable assets of a company - regardless of industry - is its
ability to adapt. All these crises have made many airlines disappear - those that
have not been able to adapt to a new reality in order to survive. We have seen
consolidation, which in general is good for the industry, but each crisis has made
our industry stronger, more efficient and better prepared to face the next challenge.
Jetrader: Who do you consider some of your most important mentors?
How did they influence your career?
RA: A lot of people have influenced my career, many of them colleagues at
Airbus, from whom I have had the opportunity to learn by their example and
professionalism. But, more importantly, I am very fond of having counted on the
friendship of two people from the airline industry who have already abandoned
us, both in tragic deaths. Federico Block, CEO of TACA, and Comandante Rolim,
president of TAM. They were extraordinary characters, each with a vision and
drive that is difficult to reproduce. Their charisma, personalities and wisdom left
a mark not only on me but on everyone who had the opportunity to interact with
them. Latin American commercial aviation would not be what it is today without
their contributions.
Jetrader: What has your level of
involvement been with ISTAT over
the years, and what does winning
the ISTAT Award mean to you?
RA: ISTAT represents a formidable and
unique organization bringing together
all the different sectors of our industry.
During my professional life, I have
attended numerous events and have
been able to appreciate the power of
convocation at ISTAT events and how
important ISTAT is for our industry. I
am so glad to see how ISTAT is now
embracing Latin America. Receiving
the 2022 ISTAT Award from such a
prestigious organization is something
that makes me feel extremely honored,
in particular considering all the aviation
entrepreneurs who have preceded me
by receiving this award. Being part of
this prestigious group is something that
touches me deeply in my heart.
Jetrader: For young people
considering going into aviation,
what advice would you give them for
how to approach their careers?
RA: Aviation is one of the most, if
not the most, exciting industries in
this world. It is always transforming
and adapting to the new times and
technologies. The next generation
coming into aviation will have the
tremendous challenge of achieving
the objective of making commercial
aviation a zero CO2
emissions industry
by 2050. This could be achieved mainly
with sustainable aviation fuels made
from renewable sources and with
disruptive technology, which Airbus is
already working on to produce a new
zero-emission aircraft powered by
hydrogen in the horizon of 2035.
Jetrader: Any final words of wisdom?
RA: Be authentic and humble and,
like the CEO of Inditex, Pablo Isla,
recognized by Harvard as the best
CEO in the world, said, " A good leader
brings out the best in everyone and
assumes mistakes as their own.
Arrogance is the worst enemy in life
and business. "
Jetrader * SPR I NG 2022 * 13
ISTAT Jetrader - Spring 2022

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