Colombian flag-carrier Avianca is opening three international routes from Medellin during the summer 2024 season as it continues to expand its presence in the city, once a key focus for now-defunct LCC Viva.
Schedules filed with OAG Schedules Analyser indicate the airline plans to offer new routes to the capitals of Argentina, Chile and Peru from Medellin’s Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE), starting in June. Both Buenos Aires and Lima were each previously offered by Viva from MDE.
The first of the three to launch will see Avianca serve Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) seasonally from June 1, operating three times per week using Airbus A320 aircraft. The route marks a resumption given the Star Alliance member offered MDE-LIM flights until November 2019.
Avianca will compete on the 1,259-mi. (1,094-nm) sector with JetSmart—which in March launched its first domestic routes in Colombia—and LATAM Airlines Group. Each provide daily flights using A320-family equipment.
On June 2, Avianca will commence a 4X-weekly seasonal service from MDE to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) using A320s. It will go head-to-head on the 2,746-mi. (2,386-nm) route with JetSmart.
Flights to Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport will then begin on June 15, operating daily onboard A320neos. The carrier will become the sole provider of nonstop flights between Medellin and Buenos Aires once service kicks off.
Avianca has been gradually building its presence in Medellin over the past 12 months following its unsuccessful attempt to acquire Viva and the LCC’s subsequent suspension of flights. The airline serves 12 domestic and nine international points from MDE at present, offering a combined 86,200 weekly departure seats. This compares to 63,500 seats a year ago.
Speaking at Routes Americas 2024 in Bogota, Avianca President and CEO Frederico Pedreira said the airline plans to continue adding point-to-point routes from secondary cities like Medellin. “This point-to-point growth will continue, and we will continue taking risks,” he explained.
Avianca transported 32 million passengers in 2023—the highest figure in its history and a 27.8% increase on the previous year. Total revenues rose to $4.77 billion, up 15% on 2022.
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