How FBOs in Latin America can lead the way in green aviation

Private aviation is all about customer experience. Time saved, smart flying, and being treated to best-in-class service. Today, however, it is also about being accountable for the world that we fly across. At Aerocardal, flying out of Santiago International Airport, we have decided to innovate – not replicate – when it concerns service innovation as well as sustainability. We’re not just the only private jet operator in Chile with a ‘green’ FBO (Fixed Base Operator), we’re building one of the most advanced aviation complexes in all of Latin America.

When individuals consider private air travel, they immediately think about jets. Yet the experience begins well before takeoff. At Aerocardal, we have built an FBO that functions from the ground up – literally. It is one of the most contemporary facilities on the continent and a proud member of the Air Elite international network. This is not by chance. We have planned, invested, and created every square meter of this area to embody what travelers today seek: efficiency, style, speed, and privacy.

That vision would not have been realized without the outstanding leadership of Marco Nuñez, our longtime FBO Manager. Marco has been instrumental in developing this facility into what it is today – a benchmark for quality and efficiency.

Another pillar in the process of achieving a responsible investment, thorough policy analysis and sourcing of providers, has been Manuel Acosta, our Finance Manager. The deep operational expertise of both executives, passion for excellence, and customer-focused mindset have set the standard for the FBO experience globally.

Sustainability is not optional

Let me be direct – this is not a publicity stunt. Becoming green is a key component of our corporate strategy. And in Latin America, where infrastructural constraints and regulatory uncertainty may render it difficult to make progress, we decided to forge ahead in spite of. Somebody has to take the lead. Why not us?

Electric parking

We’re Chile’s first solar-powered FBO, with panels on the roof of our largest aircraft hangar, while also having electric charging stations for our customer’s vehicles, which takes advantage of infrastructure that was already in place. Furthermore, we have replaced diesel-fueled GPU platform units for electric units and are regularly purchasing carbon credits to mitigate our carbon footprint.

These efforts allow us to minimize our emissions and fossil fuel consumption and show our customers that luxury service and environmental consciousness aren’t mutually exclusive. We understand Latin America. We understand that investing in infrastructure here equates to overcoming challenges that others would find daunting. We constructed our own fuel farm and also have three fuel trucks, making us the only FBO at Santiago International Airport with this capability. We can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767, and our ground services are professional, efficient, and prepared for anything.

It’s not just logistics. It’s giving our clients peace of mind. CEOs, medical personnel, or heads of state, all know that once they step into our FBO, everything works. That’s the company we’re operating – high performance, no compromise.

Leading by example

Let’s talk about leadership. Too many firms talk about sustainability while business as usual goes on. Our investment in green initiatives hasn’t been small. They’ve taken capital, planning, and a long-term orientation. But they’re paying off already – not just environmentally, but reputationally and operationally.

Consumers must conduct business with firms that possess a conscience. ESG is no longer corporate jargon; it is the benchmark by which serious firms are going to get judged. We’ve accepted that
evolution. And we’re showing that even in a part of the world where green aviation is in its early stages, you can achieve meaningful progress.

Here’s the truth: Latin America possesses all the talent, opportunity, and will it require to lead sustainable aviation. All that’s lacking is commitment. Aerocardal is making a commitment. We’re
demonstrating that a Latin American FBO can hold its own alongside the world’s best, not just in terms of luxury and service but in stewardship.

Our passengers like that. They understand that we’re not just considering their future flight, we are also worried about their footprint. That’s why they return time and time again.

To my fellow aviation colleagues: no more delay. The time for sustainable infrastructure is here. The technology exists. The need is pressing. And the customers are watching. We have decided to go first, not because it’s fashionable, but because it’s imperative. And we welcome others to follow. Aerocardal is evidence that we can provide world-class private flight and care deeply about the planet. We’ve achieved it – and we’re just getting started.

The article How FBOs in Latin America can lead the way in green aviation first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.