Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) has approved the launch of JetSMART Colombia, the new domestic branch of the Chilean-based ultra-low-cost company. The new airline received approval to launch 27 routes within the country, operating with an Airbus A320neo fleet.
A new airline
While the country waits for the final decision regarding Viva and Avianca’s merger, Colombia’s Aerocivil has just approved the launch of a new airline in the country. On Wednesday, JetSMART announced it had received authorization to start a new domestic branch in Colombia.
The new JetSMART Colombia would be based in Bogota, and, in line with the country’s regulations, the company will immediately begin the certification process. The company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Estuardo Ortiz, said it was excellent news that Aerocivil approved their application to enter the market with 27 domestic routes. He said the new airline will begin the process immediately and will work hand in hand with the authorities to comply with all the requirements in the shortest time possible.
“We have a clear and firm commitment to Colombia’s connectivity, and we want to add more flights at low prices as soon as possible,” Ortiz added. This will be JetSMART’s fourth domestic carrier in South America. The company already has domestic branches in Chile, Argentina, and Peru.
JetSMART Colombia has three months to begin the process of obtaining its Air Operator Certificate.
The approved routes
Aerocivil approved JetSMART to launch 27 domestic routes, operating a maximum of 424 weekly flights. The new carrier would launch 11 routes from Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG), three from Cartagena International (CTG), four from Medellín International (MDE, the main hub from currently suspended Viva Colombia), two from Cali International (CLO), two from Barranquilla (BAQ), two from San Andrés (ADZ), two from Cúcuta (CUC), and one from Bucaramanga (BGA).
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JetSMART’s main route would be Bogota-Medellín; the airline would be able to serve up to 49 weekly flights, or seven daily, on this segment. This route is the most important in Colombia, averaging 294 weekly flights operated by four airlines (LATAM Colombia, Avianca, Wingo, and Ultra Air).
JetSMART received authorization to launch 35 flights in the Bogota-Cartagena route (currently 190 weekly flights available each week, per Cirium) and Cartagena-Medellín (61 current weekly flights). Finally, the airline received authorization to launch up to 28 weekly flights on the routes from Bogota to Cali, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta.
What about American Airlines, Viva Colombia, and Avianca?
One of the controversial topics in the run-up to JetSMART Colombia’s authorization was the company’s partnership with the US carrier American Airlines. Aerocivil said that any alliance between the two carriers would be subject to the evaluation process by the Colombian Aeronautical Authority.
In the last few weeks, JetSMART signaled interest in acquiring Viva Air, the Medellín-based ultra-low-cost carrier that has temporarily ceased operations. In the statement released by JetSMART on Wednesday, no announcement was made on this subject. In the meantime, Avianca and Viva continue waiting for the possible approval of the merger between the two carriers. Viva Air ceased operations on February 28 and has said that it could only resume flying if its partnership with Avianca is approved.
Are you excited about seeing a new ultra-low-cost carrier in Colombia? Let us know in the comments below.