Delta Air Lines is extending its sustainability commitment beyond carbon offsets and fuel innovation by partnering with Chile’s Patagonia Azul Foundation to support marine conservation and empower local communities. Located in the remote community of Raul Marin Balmaceda, the 237 km² protected area is home to kelp forests, marine mammals, seabirds, and critical fish species. Delta’s support will fund advanced tools like hyperspectral drones and surveillance equipment to monitor biodiversity and track ecosystem health. Local residents will also receive technical training through workshops led by experts including PhD. Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete and Universidad Austral de Chile, building long-term capacity to co-manage the reserve and meet national monitoring requirements. Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director, Community Engagement, at Delta commented, "By working together with Patagonia Azul, we can create a sustainable future for both the environment and the people who depend on it."
This effort is as much about sustaining communities as it is about protecting ecosystems. Through conservation-based financial models, local fishers and residents can generate income from safeguarding the resources they rely on. By supporting these mechanisms, Delta is helping to align environmental stewardship with livelihoods. The partnership reflects Delta’s broader commitment to community engagement, with environmental support as a core focus. It also complements the airline’s growing presence in South America through its Joint Venture with LATAM, offering daily flights from Atlanta to Santiago and seasonal access to southern Chile—making it easier for travelers to engage with one of the world’s most vital marine ecosystems in a way that supports the people who protect it.
