Reinstating Connectivity to Key Regions
Key regions pivotal for the nation’s tourism and economy, which lost connectivity, including Leticia, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés, and Villavicencio, will benefit from enhanced flight frequencies.
On October 29, Avianca will increase its services in Villavicencio with two daily flights to Bogotá, irrespective of the state of the land route. This expansion follows the frequency increase implemented since August 23 due to the road crisis, extending the availability to over 720 seats daily.
The measure seeks to maintain connectivity in the eastern plains, offering trips on A320 airplanes, with a capacity for 180 passengers per flight.
Felipe Andrés Gómez, Director of Institutional Relations and Sustainability, highlighted the airline’s commitment to Villavicencio, emphasizing cooperation with various entities to ensure connectivity in the Meta region.
Avianca aims to restore and bolster connectivity to cities and regions affected by the crisis, offering increased and improved connectivity options within and beyond Colombia. The addition of these routes provides an impetus for cities severely impacted in terms of air connectivity.
Boosting Flight Frequencies
The investment will see a significant rise in the number of flights to various domestic and international destinations, facilitating better connectivity and enhanced seat availability, especially for the end-of-year season.
“Colombia heavily relies on air connectivity due to its geography. We have been a steadfast presence for over 104 years, with 80% of our operations based here and over 8,500 individuals as part of our team in Colombia», remarked Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Avianca.
We have always aimed to be part of the solution, initially ensuring that travelers could fulfill their travel plans post-crisis, and now, we are doubling down on our commitment, adding more staff, aircraft, seats, and connectivity to revive and strengthen Colombia. We are here to stay”, he added.
Recently elevated to Deputy CEO, Frederico Pedreira joins Neuhauser in emphasizing that Avianca’s growth must be matched by infrastructure expansion. They note that substantial improvements are necessary, extending beyond Bogota, for airports to support the anticipated growth.
South America is well served with A320 fleet
The executives stressed that the addition of new widebodies will enhance opportunities for better serving US and European routes; South American long-haul routes will continue to be operated by A320 family fleet.
«The product is working really well in the region» said Neuhauser, even when there are procedural shortcomings that prevent further growth. «Argentina is a great market for us, with occupancies that average a 92% Load Factor, but billateral agreements are impeding us to add more flights», he added.
David Alemán, Avianca’s Sales Director, said to Aviacionline that offer to Argentina was in fact increased by adding flights via Quito. «When you see Avianca’s operation, you need to see it as a global offering», strengthening the A320 «low-costized» choice for South America, despite the return of its Business class in some widebody flights to the region.
Increased fleet, more employment opportunities
The capacity augmentation not only escalates Avianca’s service offerings but also promotes employment in the aviation industry, creating jobs for 1,200 individuals directly and 600 indirectly, thereby generating new opportunities for specialized talent in the country.
