Caribbean and North America (CAR/NAM)

Strengthening regional cooperation for safer flight

about CARNAM

The CAR/NAM Region is a key part of global aviation, covering the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It includes some of the world’s busiest and most complex airspace, alongside smaller island and regional operations where aviation is essential for connectivity, economic activity, and development. This diversity makes the region operationally complex.

The Region is led by the Executive Vice-President (EVP) and supported by five Regional Vice-Presidents (RVPs), who work closely with Member Associations to ensure consistent and effective pilot representation across all operational environments.

Airline pilots in CAR/NAM operate in highly varied conditions, from congested international hubs to remote island routes and cross-border operations, facing challenges such as traffic density, weather, and airspace complexity.

IFALPA engages actively with key stakeholders, including the ICAO NACC Regional Office in Mexico, civil aviation authorities, and industry partners. These relationships support cooperation on safety, regulatory development, and best practices.

In this context, IFALPA’s presence in CAR/NAM ensures that pilots’ operational experience is reflected in decision-making and supports the harmonisation of standards and strengthening of safety oversight across the region.

Pilot Assistance Programs

IFALPA promotes inclusive Pilot Assistance Programs that support pilot wellbeing, health, and performance through peer support and structured guidance on medical, professional, and operational challenges, with the aim of strengthening both individual resilience and overall flight safety.
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Safety Starts with Two

IFALPA emphasizes that while aviation automation and AI continue to evolve, the presence of two qualified pilots on the flight deck remains essential to flight safety, as proposed reduced or single-crew operations introduce significant risks and must not compromise the highest safety standards.
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Sustainable Aviation Fuels

This position paper outlines the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in reducing aviation’s environmental impact, while emphasising the need for pilots to be assured that SAF meets strict safety and performance standards, with full transparency, traceability, and clear operational information across the supply chain.
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Commercial Space Operations

IFALPA highlights the need for harmonised international standards and predictable, safely managed airspace for commercial space operations to ensure that growing launch and re-entry activities do not compromise the safety, efficiency, or equitable use of international airspace for civil aviation.
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Working Together for Safe and Connected Skies

Aviation in the CAR/NAM region is essential for connectivity, economic stability, and mobility across North America and the Caribbean, where it supports both advanced aviation systems and smaller, island-based markets reliant on air transport.

The region faces challenges including high traffic density, complex cross-border operations, severe weather, varying levels of oversight, increasing competition, and emerging space operations that add complexity to airspace management. Ensuring consistent application of international standards requires strong coordination.

Airline pilots operate in diverse environments, from busy, structured airspace to remote island operations—requiring adaptability and strong operational discipline.

In this context, close collaboration with Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) and strong pilot representation through IFALPA are essential to ensure that operational expertise informs decision-making, supporting safe, secure, and consistent aviation development across the region.

Latest Publications

Meet the Team

Capt. Gregg Hurley

Executive Vice-President Caribbean & North America (CAR/NAM)

Captain Hurley has 29 years of service with Delta Air Lines and is currently a Boeing 764 Captain. He formerly served as LEC Representative and two-term Delta MEC Executive Administrator. He is currently the International Affairs Coordinator for ALPA-I and has contributed 31 years to the Professional Standards program.

Capt. Erich (Chris) Witt

Regional Vice-President CAR/East

Antigua, Bahamas Islands, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Antilles, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands, West Indies Associated States, Leeward Islands Overwater airspace of Miami Oceanic, Houston Oceanic, Nassau, St. Juan, Piarco, Curacao, Santo Domingo and Port-au- Prince FIRs

Capt. Francisco E. Gómez-Ortigoza

Regional Vice-President CAR/West

Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Overwater airspace of Central America, Habana, Kingston, Mazatland, Merida, Mexico Oceanic, Monterrey and Panama FIRs, plus the airspace bounded on the north by Mexico Oceanic, on the east of FIRS Panama and Guayaquil on the south by the equator and on the west by 120 00W.

Capt. Steven Bard

Regional Vice-President CAN/ARC

Canada and the Arctic region. Overwater airspace of FIRs Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Moncton, Montreal and Toronto

F/O Lee (LP) Vanstory

Regional Vice-President NAT

The North Atlantic area not covered by the CAN/ARC, CAR, SAM, EUR and AFI Regions. Overwater airspace of FIRs Sondestrom, Reykjavik, Gander, Shanwick Oceanic, Santa Maria Oceanic and New York Oceanic

Capt. Bill Bartels

Regional Vice-President US – CEP

United States and the Pacific between the West Coast of Continental U.S.A. and Hawaii. Overwater airspace of FIRs Oakland Oceanic, Honolulu, Seattle, San Fancisco, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Houston, Jacksonville, Miami, Atlanta, Washington, New York and Boston.

Capt. Brian Shury

Professional & Government Affairs Director