The dynamic market of Latin America and the Caribbean continues to show signs of recovery. March has been a key month, as several countries are approaching the summer season and preparing for the massive arrival of Canadian, American, and European tourists.
According to official announcements, 39 air routes were inaugurated last month in different countries of the region. Only on March 26, 16 routes began operating.
The market continues to be shaken after the cessation of operations of three important companies: Aeromar (Mexico), VIVA (Colombia and Peru), and Ultra Air (Colombia). The three airlines together moved almost 9 million annual passengers, so the impact will begin to be felt more strongly during the second quarter.
Traffic in Latin America
According to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), 27.5 million passengers were transported in February 2023, representing a 98% recovery compared to the same period in 2019.
Therefore, Latin America and the Caribbean positioned itself as the third region in the world with the highest recovery, surpassing North America, which reached 97.3%, and Europe with 82.7%.
International market
ALTA indicated that “in February 2023, international traffic from Colombia and Mexico grew by 19% and 15%, respectively, compared to their 2019 levels, and the Dominican Republic reached 108% of its pre-pandemic levels. Brazil, Chile, and Argentina had a slight increase compared to January 2023, reaching 78%, 81%, and 71%, respectively.”
National market
On the other hand, “in February 2023, Colombia exceeded its domestic passenger traffic levels from January 2019 by 27%. However, a slowdown in its numbers is expected for the month of March, due to the exit of Ultra and VIVA from the market.”
Mexico grew by 24% and Argentina practically exceeded its 2019 levels. Brazil recorded a recovery rate of 89%, and Chile remained at 88%.
New routes in Latin America and the Caribbean in March
| Ruta | Aerolínea | Inicio | Vuelos semanales | Aeronave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Córdoba - Salta | Flybondi | 2 de marzo | 3 | Boeing 737-800 |
| Toronto - Cancún | Canada Jetlines | 3 de marzo | 3 | Airbus A320ceo |
| Bogotá - Caracas | SATENA | 3 de marzo | 3 | Embraer ERJ 145 |
| Caracas - Lima - Santiago de Chile | Estelar | 11 de marzo | 1 | Boeing 737-300 |
| Barbados - St. Kitts and Nevis | interCaribbean | 13 de marzo | 3 | Embraer 120 |
| Buenos Aires/Aeroparque - Rosario - Reconquista | LADE | 13 de marzo | 3 | Saab 340 |
| St. Lucia - St. Vincent | interCaribbean | 13 de marzo | 3 | Embraer 120 |
| Ciudad de México - Ciudad Victoria | Aeromexico | 16 de marzo | 4 | Embraer 190 |
| Ciudad de México - Colima | Aeromexico | 16 de marzo | 7 | Embraer 190 |
| Ciudad de México - Tepic | Aeromexico | 16 de marzo | 7 | Embraer 190 |
| Santo Domingo - St. Thomas | Sky High Aviation | 24 de marzo | 2 | Embraer 190 |
| Ciudad de México - Roma | Aeromexico | 25 de marzo | 4 | Boeing 787-8 |
| Ciudad de México - Tokio | Aeromexico | 25 de marzo | 7 | Boeing 787-8 |
| Ciudad de México - Cozumel | Aeromexico | 26 de marzo | 7 | Boeing 737-800 |
| Bogotá - Belo Horizonte | Avianca | 26 de marzo | 5 | A319 / A320ceo/neo |
| Bogotá - Ipiales | Avianca | 26 de marzo | 5 | A319 / A320ceo |
| Bogotá - Manaos | Avianca | 26 de marzo | 4 | A319 /A 320ceo |
| Medellín - Quito | Avianca | 26 de marzo | 4 | A320ceo |
| São Paulo/Congonhas - Brasilia | AZUL | 26 de marzo | 41 | A320ceo/neo |
| São Paulo/Congonhas - Curitiba | AZUL | 26 de marzo | 31 | Embraer 195 |
| São Paulo/Congonhas - Porto Alegre | AZUL | 26 de marzo | 35 | A320ceo/neo |
| Londres/Gatwick - Antiguua y Barbuda - Aruba | British Airways | 26 de marzo | 2 | Boeing 777-200ER |
| Londres/Gatwick - Puerto España | British Airways | 26 de marzo | 3 | Boeing 777-200ER |
| Bogotá - Guayaquil | LATAM | 26 de marzo | 7 | A319 |
| Lima - Brasilia | LATAM | 26 de marzo | 7 | A320ceo |
| Santiago - Porto Alegre | LATAM | 26 de marzo | 3 | A320ceo |
| São Paulo/Congonhas - Ribeirao Preto | LATAM | 26 de marzo | 12 | A319 / A320ceo |
| San Salvador - Oakland | Volaris El Salvador | 26 de marzo | 4 | A320neo |
| San Salvador - Houston | Volaris El Salvador | 26 de marzo | 4 | A320neo |
| Bogotá - Boston | Avianca | 27 de marzo | 5 | A319 / A320ceo |
| Londres/Gatwick - St. Lucia - Guyana | British Airways | 27 de marzo | 2 | Boeing 777-200ER |
| Cartagena - Guayaquil | Avianca | 28 de marzo | 3 | A319 |
| Medellín - Guayaquil | Avianca | 28 de marzo | 3 | A320ceo |
| Tobago - St. Lucia | British Airways | 28 de marzo | 2 | Boeing 777-200ER |
| Montevideo - Río de Janeiro | JetSMART | 28 de marzo | 3 | A320ceo/neo |
| São Paulo/Guarulhos - Passo Fundo | LATAM | 28 de marzo | 7 | A319 / A320ceo/neo |
| Bogotá - Riohacha | LATAM | 28 de marzo | 7 | A320 |
| San Salvador - San Pedro Sula - Miami | Volaris El Salvador | 28 de marzo | 3 | A320neo |
| Ciudad de México/Santa Lucia - Tijuana | Viva Aerobus | 30 de marzo | 7 | A321neo |
| San Vicente y las Granadinas - La Habana | ConViasa | 31 de marzo | 1 | Embraer 190 |
