Bridging the Distance: The Challenge of Connecting Latin America and Asia

Venturing from the vibrant street markets of Asia to the rhythmic beats of Latin America involves more than just a long-haul flight; it’s an odyssey that showcases the stark contrast in global connectivity. For travelers, businesses, and governments alike, the question arises: Why is it so difficult to get from Asia to Latin America?

Currently, only a handful of countries in Latin America – Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and Panama – have direct air connections with the Asia-Pacific region. This limited connectivity is surprising, given that the Asia-Pacific, home to economic powerhouses like China, Japan, and South Korea, is on course to become the world’s most vital region in the coming decade. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that China, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India will all rank within the top 10 largest air transport markets among emerging countries by 2038. Despite this, Latin American carriers show little enthusiasm for bridging the vast distance.

Why the hesitation? The logistical hurdles are immense. For instance, the distance between Mexico and Beijing is a staggering 7,739 miles, with the only direct flight being operated by Hainan Airlines once a week, which includes a stopover in Tijuana due to Mexico City Airport’s high altitude. Other attempts to connect the two regions include China Southern’s soon-to-be-discontinued route via Vancouver and Air China’s connections that weave through Houston, Montreal, and Madrid. Ultimately, these routes amount to a mere eight flights per week from China to Latin America, a number that only slightly improves when including Aeromexico’s 22 weekly flights to Seoul and Tokyo.

The primary obstacles are not just the vast distances but also the requisite technology and infrastructure, which are currently lacking. Directly connecting Beijing and São Paulo, for instance, would create the longest non-stop flight in the world at 10,934 miles, necessitating a route that crosses over a dozen countries, including a significant portion of Russia, thereby escalating costs dramatically. Luis Felipe de Oliveira, CEO of the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), emphasized that future route development hinges on advancements in technology and infrastructure.

Despite the clear demand for better connectivity, driven by the burgeoning markets in China and India, solutions remain elusive. Airlines and governments show limited interest in enhancing links, partly due to infrastructure limitations and partly due to a lack of governmental support, as highlighted by Aeromexico’s canceled route to Shanghai.

The scenario is not entirely bleak. Airlines outside of the traditional carriers, like Emirates and Turkish Airlines, have made inroads into Latin America, offering more direct routes to Asia. Their success points to a potential pathway for Latin American and Asian airlines willing to navigate the complex geopolitics and invest in the necessary long-haul fleets.

The connectivity between Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region represents more than just an issue of convenience; it’s about unlocking economic potential, fostering cultural exchanges, and building strategic partnerships for the future. As global dynamics shift towards Asia-Pacific’s burgeoning markets, the time is ripe for Latin America to bridge the vast distance, not just in miles, but in mutual understanding and cooperation. The question remains: how will Latin America respond to this challenge?

Related posts:
South America’s Struggle With Direct Asia Flights

Why is it so difficult to get from Asia to Latin America? : r/travel (reddit.com)

What is the reason behind not having any flight between Asia to South America? – Quora