LATAM Airlines Group’s CEO Robert Alvo Becomes IATA’s New Chairman of the Board of Directors

LATAM Airlines Group has today announced that their CEO, Robert Alvo, has assumed the role as IATA’s new Chairman, becoming the first leader from the region in more than a decade to head the organization's governing body.

LATAM Airlines Group’s CEO, Robert Alvo (center), Has Officially Assumed the Role as IATA’s New Chairman of the Board – Courtesy LATAM Airlines Group / Hopscotch Systems Americas

On Thursday (June 11, 2026), LATAM Airlines Group, who served as the official host of the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Rio de Janeiro this week, announced that their CEO, Robert Alvo has officially assumed the role as IATA’s new Chairman of the Board.  This is the first time IATA has held their AGM in South America in 27 years, with Mr. Alvo becoming the first leader from the region in over a decade to head the organization's governing body.  He will now serve as IATA’s 84th Chairman for a one-year term that will run until the next Annual General Meeting, scheduled for late May 2027 in Xiamen, China.  During the AGM, it was also highlighted how South America faces major structural challenges, such as deficient infrastructure, restrictive regulation, and a tax burden disproportionate to that of other markets.

In Thursday’s announcement, LATAM Airlines Group’s CEO and IATA’s new Chairman, Robert Alvo, said,

“The AGM was a great opportunity to show the world the potential of South American aviation and the role it can play in the development of our countries.  To turn that potential into greater connectivity, tourism, trade, and opportunities that benefit passengers, we need to keep promoting sound public policies with a long-term vision that allow us to increase efficiency and strengthen the region’s competitiveness.”

Also commenting on the state of the industry in South America, LATAM Airlines Brazil’s CEO, Jerome Cadier, added,

“We are always facing very short-term battles, when we should be reducing the cost of flying and generating greater efficiency for this industry.  It is necessary to ensure a long-term development vision and regulatory stability.”

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is the leading airline group in Latin America, with presence in domestic markets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.  The carrier also operates internationally to destinations across Latin America, Europe, Oceania, Africa, the U.S. and the Caribbean.  The Group operates a fleet of Boeing 767, 777, 787 airplanes, and Airbus A321, A321neo, A320, A320neo and A319 aircraft, as well as Airbus A330s under short-term leases.  In addition to belly-hold capacity of the Group’s passenger aircraft, LATAM operates a fleet of 20 dedicated freighters.

Source: LATAM Airlines Group / Hopscotch Systems Americas