Delta supports marine conservation efforts in Chile

Delta Air Lines is partnering with the Patagonia Azul Foundation to protect and restore some of the world’s most vulnerable marine ecosystems.

Staff Writer

Apr 29, 2025 10:45am

Delta Air Lines is partnering with the Patagonia Azul Foundation to protect and restore some of the world’s most vulnerable marine ecosystems. This collaboration focuses on empowering local communities in southern Chile by providing advanced technology and specialized training to enhance marine conservation efforts.

The Patagonia Azul Foundation is a Chilean non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Chilean Patagonian Sea, founded with the support of Sylvia Earle, renowned oceanographer and advocate for marine protection through her NGO Mission Blue.

The foundation carries out its work in marine conservation, scientific research, and the development of innovative financial solutions for long-term conservation through close collaboration with coastal communities. Recognizing these communities as essential stewards of the marine environment, the foundation integrates cutting-edge science with local knowledge and community-driven initiatives to ensure that conservation efforts are both effective and sustainable. By working alongside those who live and work in these ecosystems every day, Patagonia Azul strengthens conservation efforts while promoting locally led, long-term environmental stewardship.

A haven for marine biodiversity

In the heart of Chilean Patagonia, in the community of Raul Marin Balmaceda, lies the Multiple-Use Marine Protected Area (AMCP-MU) of Pitipalena Añihué, spanning 237 km². This pristine region is a sanctuary for a rich array of marine life, including kelp forests, marine mammals, seabirds, and essential fish species.

The primary goal of the AMCP-MU is to conserve the environmental quality of these ecosystems, maintain the integrity of the landscape, and promote sustainable use of marine resources by the local community. This area is co-managed by local organizations and the Chilean government, making it a unique model of public-private collaboration in marine conservation.

Empowering communities and promoting ecotourism

Delta's partnership with Patagonia Azul is focused on empowering local communities by creating financial mechanisms that generate economic returns from conservation efforts. Beyond safeguarding marine biodiversity, these initiatives aim to ensure that the communities in and around Pitipalena Añihué benefit directly from the protection of their marine environment. By developing sustainable economic models tied to conservation, local fishers and community members can secure income from their role as environmental stewards, while also ensuring that the marine resources they rely on for sustenance are preserved, protected from overexploitation, and safeguarded against illegal activities.

"Empowering local communities is a major focus of our Community Engagement strategy at Delta with one of our key pillars being to support the Environment," said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director – Community Engagement. "By working together with Patagonia Azul, we can create a sustainable future for both the environment and the people who depend on it."

The partnership will finance the provision of cutting-edge technology, such as hyperspectral drones and surveillance equipment, to enhance ecosystem monitoring and scientific research. This support will help track the health of the marine environment and ensure that conservation efforts are effective. In addition, the program will provide comprehensive training via workshops supported by experts like PhD. Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete and Universidad Austral de Chile to train local community members in monitoring local ecosystems and biodiversity. This will empower the community to conduct periodic monitoring, a government requirement.

This partnership aligns with Delta’s presence in South America through its Joint Venture with LATAM, which focuses on building a strong network across the Americas. By leveraging their extensive resources and connectivity, travelers looking to experience Patagonia firsthand can easily fly from North America to Santiago de Chile with Delta and connect with LATAM to reach southern Chile.

Delta offers a daily, year-round flight from Atlanta to Santiago de Chile, with an additional frequency during peak season from December 11, 2025, to January 19, 2026.