IATA unveils cargo expansion and decries Argentina airline tax hike at Rio AGM
At the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 82nd Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, the association announced a major expansion of its cargo‑settlement and payment services across Latin America. New Cargo Accounts Settlement Systems (CASS) will launch in Mexico (Domestic) and Paraguay (Export) this year, with a domestic CASS slated for Brazil in early 2027. IATA highlighted a 38.8% rise in cargo tonnage‑kilometers over the past decade and cited $47.5 billion in transactions processed in 2025.
IATA’s regional briefing also warned that high taxes and regulatory hurdles threaten growth in the Americas. The organization criticised the Argentine government’s unilateral increase of airline taxes – the second such rise in two years – saying it undermines airline margins amid rising fuel costs. IATA cited Argentina’s taxes, which can represent up to 29% of ticket prices, as a key obstacle to demand.
The Rio meeting gathered roughly 1,500 aviation leaders, including airline CEOs and government officials, to discuss the sector’s outlook. IATA projected strong passenger‑traffic growth in Brazil, Mexico and the broader region, but warned that congested airports, legal disputes and steep fiscal charges could curb that momentum.