The Civil Aeronautics of Colombia (Aerocivil) has received a request from LATAM Airlines to operate a new route between Bogotá (BOG) and Madrid (MAD), Spain, marking one of the rapidly growing international routes from Colombia.
According to the request, LATAM aims to operate under a fifth freedom of the air agreement. In this arrangement, the flight originates and concludes in Santiago (SCL), Chile, with a brief stopover in Bogotá (BOG) before continuing to Madrid (MAD).
The airline proposes to operate up to seven flights weekly on this route. These flights would be serviced by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, without specifying the variant.
Growing Spain-Colombia Market
If LATAM Airlines’ request is approved, it would become the fifth operator on the Bogotá-Madrid route. This route already holds the record for the most seat offerings, frequencies, and airline options between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Currently, the route is served by four airlines:
- Avianca, offering three daily flights with Boeing 787-8, increasing to four daily flights during the summer high season and end-of-year festivities.
- Iberia, operating three daily flights with Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
- Air Europa, with a daily flight operated on Boeing 787-8.
- Plus Ultra Airlines, providing three weekly flights on Airbus A330-200, with a prior stop in Cartagena (CTG).
As per Cirium, the Bogotá-Madrid route accounts for 4.9% of the seat offerings for December 2023, making it the most significant route between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, with a total of 33,375 monthly seats.
From January to September 2023, both cities have mobilized 979,648 passengers, with an average occupancy of 92%, according to data from AENA. Additionally, the market between Colombia and Spain also includes routes like:
- Barcelona-Bogotá, operated seven times a week by Avianca with Boeing 787-8.
- Madrid-Cali, with three weekly flights by Avianca on Boeing 787-8.
- Madrid-Cartagena, with three weekly flights serviced by Plus Ultra Airlines on Airbus A330-200.
- Madrid-Medellín, with four weekly flights by Avianca on Boeing 787-8 and five weekly flights by Air Europa on Boeing 787-8.
As per the latest report from AENA, from January to September, 1,380,698 travelers have been mobilized on these five routes, highlighting the importance of the link between Colombia and Spain.
LATAM solidifies its position as the second operator in Colombia
LATAM has remained steady in a turbulent market following the cessation of operations by VIVA, Ultra, and Grupo San German Express. The airline has incorporated some Airbus A320 to cover the main routes that both low-cost carriers had.
Currently, the airline has a presence in 17 Colombian cities with routes departing from Medellín, Cali, and Bogotá. Besides, it has 10 international links connecting Guayaquil (GYE), Lima (LIM), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Quito (UIO), Santiago (SCL), and Sao Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU).
