JetSMART marks one year in Colombia, targets growth despite operational limits
The low-cost airline aims to expand its domestic network, but says slot constraints at key airports are limiting competition
One year after launching operations in Colombia, JetSMART says its growth in the country depends on the operational capacity allocated by airports, particularly during peak time slots. The airline, part of the Indigo Partners group, seeks to strengthen its presence in the local market after transporting more than 3.2 million passengers in its first year.
Speaking to Colombian outlet Semana.com, Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART, said the airline reached a 10% market share in the domestic segment during its first year. He noted that 38% of the passengers they carried were flying for the first time. "This shows strong demand stimulation and consolidation of the low-cost model in the country," he said.
JetSMART currently operates eight aircraft in Colombia. Its expansion plan includes up to 40 domestic routes. However, according to Ortiz, the main obstacle is the lack of available slots during critical hours at major airports such as El Dorado (Bogotá) and José María Córdova (Medellín).
"In peak periods like 7 to 8 in the morning and at night in El Dorado, we have access to only 2% of available slots. That limits our ability to add flights or deploy more aircraft. Slot allocation determines market share, and the current concentration hinders competition," he stated.
The airline is working to consolidate its operational bases at Bogotá’s Puente Aéreo and in Medellín, where it already has four aircraft at each base. Ortiz said the goal is to scale up to 10 aircraft per base, but infrastructure constraints are a limiting factor. In Medellín’s case, ramp space and available parking positions are among the restrictions.
Regionally, JetSMART carried 11 million passengers over the past year. The airline currently operates 44 aircraft and has orders for 80 additional Airbus units, which would bring its fleet to 124. According to the company, this represents the most ambitious growth plan in South American aviation.
With Colombia now allowing international routes, JetSMART is planning to expand its network toward North America. Ortiz said that while they already fly to Chile and Peru, they are now evaluating destinations in the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. International operations from Colombia could begin in the third quarter of 2025, depending on high-season market performance.
On regulation, the executive expressed concern over certain legislative proposals that he believes could affect the low-cost model. "Setting minimum and maximum fares, or requiring baggage to be included in the base fare, ends up raising costs for all users," he told Semana.
Ortiz defended the unbundled fare model, noting that 40 to 45% of passengers travel without baggage, so including it in the base fare would be unfair for that segment. He also pointed out that baggage transport adds significant costs due to fuel consumption and logistics.
Regarding overbooking, the CEO said it is based on statistical no-show patterns. Eliminating it, he argued, could lead to a 15–20% increase in fares, making flying less accessible.
JetSMART is navigating a market reshaped by the pandemic. According to Ortiz, the health crisis left deep impacts on supply chains and the financial health of airlines. "Fourteen carriers ceased operations in South America, triggering a sector consolidation," he said.
In this context, the company insists that equitable access to airport infrastructure is key to enabling competition. Ortiz emphasized that giving users real options depends on fair distribution of operational resources—particularly peak-hour slots.
For 2025, JetSMART has already requested new domestic routes. Among the destinations prioritized in Colombia are Barranquilla, Neiva, Valledupar and Montería, in addition to the recently launched Bogotá–Cali route.
Ortiz reiterated that the company’s goal is not to displace competitors, but to stimulate market growth. "It’s not about taking passengers from others, but about creating conditions so that more people can fly. That’s only possible if operational capacity is allocated in a way that promotes competition," he concluded.
Finally, the executive highlighted the potential of the Colombian market, noting that the country currently records 0.8 air trips per capita annually, compared to 1 in Chile and 4.5 in Spain. For JetSMART, Colombia is a strategic market within its regional consolidation plan, but growth will depend on infrastructure availability and a regulatory framework that respects the specifics of the low-cost model.
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