Fortaleza, September 18, 2018 - In the city of Fortaleza, the Ministry of Transportation, Ports and Civil Aviation of Brazil; the Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil; ALTA; IATA and ABEAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of creating an institutional cooperation framework to develop the aviation industry in Brazil.

As part of this agreement, the parties commit to contribute with their knowledge and resources to activities of common interest in the areas of: operational safety; data analysis; prediction on fuel prices and taxation; monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions, and training, among others.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Executive Director of ALTA, commented: "Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and the largest in Latin America. In this sense, safe and efficient air transport is key to keep the country connected and stimulate the economy. This agreement will undoubtedly contribute to aviation in Brazil, since it defines a favorable framework of cooperation between government and associations for the benefit of the industry and, finally, of the country".

Jose Ricardo Botelho, Director President of Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil, said: "Brazil is playing a crucial role in the development of aviation in the Latin American and Caribbean region. We are the largest domestic market in Latin America and we believe we can drive the region's growth through mutual and continuous cooperation".

"This MOU is a welcome opportunity to enhance the relationship and work already underway between these individual stakeholders. It affirms the importance that aviation plays in improving the economic and social well-being of Brazil. IATA is proud to be part and support this endeavor", commented Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President IATA.

"Brazil has a great growth potential as in average there are 0.54 trips per inhabitant. The country has enormous potential to provide its people a safe and efficient means of transport and, at the same time, boost country's economic growth, generating investments, sources of employment, tourism and more travel. As part of this agreement, Brazil will host, in 2019, the most important aviation event in Latin America and the Caribbean: the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum and this reaffirms the relevance of Brazil for the aviation industry", added de Oliveira.