San Andres’ Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport inaugurated its operation with the United States with the American Airlines route between the island and Miami.
The flight, which will have two weekly frequencies in Embraer 170-200 LR aircraft, represents a significant advance in the recovery of air transportation on the island, allowing the arrival of more tourists.
This was mentioned by Jair Orlando Fajardo Fajardo, General Director of the Civil Aeronautics: «The new route will be operated by American Airlines and will have 2 weekly frequencies, in Embraer 170-200 LR aircraft, which will allow tourists from the United States to connect directly with San Andres.»
«This also opens the possibility of new connecting points with other places in North America». «Thus, with this, from the Civil Aeronautics, we continue committed to the air reactivation of the Island, since additionally. also strengthens important activities such as commerce, in which the islanders find fundamental support for their economic recovery».
Meanwhile, Ángela María Orozco, Minister of Transportation, mentioned: «This is one of the most important drivers for the economic reactivation of the island and confirms the commitment of the government of President Iván Duque and the Ministry of Transportation to provide more and better opportunities for visitors to know their cultural roots, the richness of its landscapes, the beauty of its beaches, enhancing San Andrés as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Caribbean».
Following the arrival of this flight and the opening of connectivity between San Andres and the United States, a commission of TSA inspectors visited San Andres at the end of September to evaluate the implementation of civil aviation security standards and other practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
Finally, Camilo Pabón Almanza, Vice Minister of Transportation, said that «we realize that this new route will have a positive impact on the entire community of San Andrés, since it is the first time in history that an international flight from the United States will arrive directly to the island, thus substantially reducing the arrival time for visitors. At the Gustavo Rojas Pinilla airport, we are ready to receive and welcome those who enjoy this new opportunity to get to know our country, especially this beautiful archipelago that we Colombians are so proud of».
Between January and October of this year, 1,892,251 passengers have been mobilized to the island, which represents a 95% recovery of the operation, in relation to the same period of 2019.
The month of greatest recovery has been October, when 252,840 passengers were transported, which showed a 126% recovery, surpassing the 200,539 travelers mobilized in the same period of 2019.
