Despite the world having recovered about 70% of its pre-pandemic traffic levels, Colombia’s aviation industry, led by companies such as Avianca, LATAM, and Viva Colombia, has already bounced back fully, and it is growing at a double-digit rate in terms of carried passengers. The latest data released by the country’s Civil Aviation Authorities (Aerocivil) show the strength of the Colombian market. Let’s dive into it.
Strong, strong recovery
Worldwide you’re likely not going to find a country with a more robust recovery than Colombia. In 2022, the airlines operating in and out of this South American nation have already carried 15% more passengers than in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Aerocivil’s latest data, Colombia has had 22.6 million passengers in 2022, versus 19.5 million in the same period in 2019.
The strength of Colombia’s aviation industry lies in the domestic market. There, the country has had 15.8 million passengers, a 26% increase compared to 2019 levels (12.5 million passengers).
Instead, the international market still remains below pre-pandemic traffic levels. Colombia has had 6.8 million international passengers this year, versus 6.9 three years ago. That’s a 98.5% recovery.
The airlines in Colombia
These record numbers show the strength of the Colombian market and that the policies implemented by the government have been successful, according to Ángela María Orozco, Transport Minister in the country.
The Colombian domestic market has several key carriers. Avianca is the most important one, carrying well over 6.5 million passengers up to May 2022. Moreover, Avianca believes it will be able to carry 4.7 million additional travelers this high season, offering more than 34,000 flights, mainly in Colombia (although it also has branches in Central America and other South American nations).
Viva Colombia is also another key player in Colombia. Moreover, recently Avianca and Colombia announced they will merge under the same holding. Once their alliance is approved, they will be able to provide more connectivity in Colombia and across the Americas.
LATAM Colombia has carried more than 3.5 million passengers in the year, according to the data available by the government. Nonetheless, Colombia has more airlines, such as Ultra Air (the latest startup to appear in the country), Wingo, EasyFly, and SATENA.
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What’s next for the South American country?
The aviation industry worldwide expects to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by 2023 or 2024. Nonetheless, there are a few countries that have bounced back faster from the worst crisis in aviation history, such as Colombia. Another example is Mexico; its three leading airlines (Volaris, Aeromexico, and Viva Aerobus) are already carrying more passengers than in 2019.
Despite this good news, the global economic uncertainty could bring a halt to the Colombian and Mexican recoveries. The aviation industry expects high inflation, high fuel prices, shortages, and other key issues in the industry to impact the recoveries at some point.
Have you traveled to Colombia in the last few months? How was the experience? Let us know in the comments below.