The Colombian ultra-low-cost carrier Viva has officially launched its flights from Bogotá International Airport (BOG) and Medellín International Airport (MDE) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). This is the latest milestone of an airline that, in the last couple of years, has been opening international routes throughout the Americas. Let’s investigate further.
Landing in Buenos Aires
On June 15, Viva Colombia operated its flights VH299 and VH329 for the first time, flying from Medellín and Bogotá to Buenos Aires. The airline employed two Airbus A320neo on both services, registrations HK-5366 and HK-5378 (this one has a special pink livery promoting breast cancer awareness).
The routes to Argentina were first announced back in April. These were the latest new routes by a fast-growing low-cost carrier in South America. Currently, Viva Colombia has 13 international routes across the region.
These are Viva Colombia’s destinations in the Americas:
- Buenos Aires (served from Bogotá and Medellín)
- Lima (served from Bogotá and Medellín)
- Mexico City (served from Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín)
- Cancún (served from Cali and Medellín)
- São Paulo (served from Medellín, starting on June 22)
- Orlando (served from Medellín)
- Miami (served from Medellín)
- Punta Cana (served from Medellín).
Overall, Viva Colombia operates 57 weekly international flights, all with its Airbus A320 fleet.
Launching the new route
Viva Colombia will operate these new routes four times a week. Both routes will be served on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
By launching these new services, Viva is looking to strengthen its international connectivity and, particularly, its Medellín Hub. The low-cost airline believes Medellín can become the low-cost hub connecting North and South America (doing something similar to what Copa Airline does in Panama City).
Viva, which recently announced a merger with Avianca, expects to carry up to 130,000 passengers within these routes’ first year of operation.
Félix Antelo, Viva Colombia’s CEO, said,
“This start of operations to the south of the continent generates a precedent in the Colombian airline industry and especially in the 'Super Low Cost' model; it is also a significant landmark for us and me, as an Argentine, because we will be the only airline that operates the route Medellin-Buenos Aires directly and best of all, with our characteristic low prices that will make this destination more accessible to our travelers. In addition, thanks to this new connection, Argentine citizens will be able to connect with Miami in stopovers of only 50 minutes from our 'Hub Medellin' and enjoy our network of international destinations in the center and north of the continent.”
Viva Aerobus stops flying to Medellín
Viva Colombia’s partner, the Mexican ultra low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus, has halted its flights from Cancún International Airport (CUN) and Mexico City Benito Juárez International (MEX) to Medellín International Airport.
Earlier this week, it was announced Viva Aerobus (which has an interline agreement with Viva Colombia) will not keep operating services to Medellín.
The Medellín airport authorities regretted this announcement, nonetheless announced the Mexican airline is welcome to come back any time it wants. Viva Aerobus’ last flight to Medellín was operated on June 9, 2022.
What do you think about Viva Colombia’s expansion to Argentina and Brazil? What other routes should the ULCC launch in the coming months? Let us know in the comments below.