Brazilian charter operator Abaeté Aviação, founded in 1979 in Salvador, has joined The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).

Abaeté Aviação recently received the ISSA - IATA Standard Safety Assessment certification, an assessment recognised and accepted internationally as a quality and operational safety standard in the civil aviation industry.

The qualification was carried out through the ISSA programme, developed jointly by ALTA and IATA to facilitate access to the training and evaluation system of internal controls and operational management for airlines with smaller aircraft in the region, so that they continue to improve safety standards and have the ability to sign codeshare and interline agreements with other airlines. The initiative aims to strengthen regional air transport and promote the expansion of the air network in all corners of the region.

Taking advantage of its strategic geographical position in the Brazilian northeast and the immense tourism potential of that region, Abaeté made possible the return of regular flights to new destinations focused on regional tourism with high added value. Abaeté has a portfolio of services that includes charter, ICU, FBO, hangarage, aircraft maintenance, mangement, sales, business aviation and fractional jets.

“We are pleased to join ALTA after participating in the ISSA programme and achieving safety standards certification. At Abaeté, our objective is to strengthen the connectivity of the northeast region of Brazil, and participation in ALTA's committees and projects will undoubtedly add important value to this objective ”, comments Héctor Hamada, CEO of Abaeté Aviação.

“ALTA, as an industry association and space for dialogue and exchange of best practices, works to help improve the operating conditions of airlines and, most importantly, the safety of passengers and aviation professionals. Brazil is a continental country and initiatives such as the ISSA programme directly support the development of regional companies, improving connectivity and strengthening the economic and social contribution generated by air transport in communities, especially remote ones. I am very pleased to welcome Abaeté Aviação, a Brazilian airline that joins ALTA, showing once again the results of an effort to take ALTA's campaigns to all corners of the region and continue working together for the recovery of the industry,” says José Ricardo Botelho,