The aeronautical authorities of Colombia and Canada signed an expanded air transport agreement that allows unlimited operations between the two countries.
Colombia is currently Canada’s largest South American market. According to Transport Canada, the expanded agreement will allow airlines in Canada and Colombia to better respond to the needs of this growing air transport market.
Canada’s first air transport agreement with Colombia was concluded in 2012. This agreement was reached under Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term sustainable competition and the development of international air services.
See also: Unlimited Flights: India and Canada agree on open skies
«This agreement represents benefits for commercial aviation and for air transport users, because it generates greater connectivity conditions and the promotion of tourism and commercial exchange, under a competitive environment and will continue to work on opening new opportunities in the national aeronautical market,» assured the Aerocivil.
«This significantly expanded agreement will improve connectivity for passengers and businesses in Canada and Colombia, and demonstrates our commitment to improve air services with Latin America. Our government will continue to strengthen our economy and our air sector, and this expanded agreement will help Canadian companies do just that.» Said Omar Alghabra, Canada’s Minister of Transport.
Current operations between Canada and Colombia
The agreement will allow both Colombian and Canadian airlines to operate beyond current frequencies. Currently, Canadian airlines have a total of 15 approved weekly frequencies:
- Air Canada: Toronto (YYZ) – Bogota (BOG); 5 weekly flights. Currently operating 4 weekly flights on A330-300 aircraft.
- Air Canada: Toronto (YYZ) – Cartagena (CTG); 3 weekly flights, but not currently served.
- Air Canada: Montreal (YUL) – Bogota (BOG); 3 weekly flights. Currently operated with Airbus A330-300.
- Air Transat: Toronto (YYZ) – Cartagena (CTG); 2 weekly flights, operated with Airbus A321neo (LR).
- Air Transat: Montreal (YUL) – Cartagena (CTG); 1 flight per week, operated with Airbus A321neo (LR).
- Sunwing would land in Colombia in March 2023 with a weekly flight between Toronto (YYZ) and San Andres (ADZ).
Avianca, the only Colombian airline with approvals to operate to Canada, has flights to Toronto (YYZ) from Bogota (BOG) with a daily flight on Airbus A319 and A320neo aircraft. It can also operate to Montreal (YUL).
