The UAE-based carriers Emirates and Etihad could land in Colombia in the near future, according to a statement provided by Aeronáutica Civil, the Colombian civil aviation authority. How could it happen?
Colombia and the UAE strengthen their relationship
During ICAO’s Air Service Negotiation Event (ICAN 2021) that took place in Bogota between December 6 and 10, 2021, Colombia and the United Arab Emirates strengthened their relationship.
Aeronáutica Civil explained,
“One of the most important results for Colombia was strengthening the commercial activities with the UAE, opening the possibility of new passenger services, connecting the country via Miami.”
To start, there could be seven flights per week between Colombia and the UAE. Then, after a year of this commercial operations, both countries could agree to increase the connectivity by up to a couple of flights per day. Currently, there are already flights between both countries via the US, but only for freighter operations.
How would Emirates and Etihad fit in this agreement?
Colombia’s aviation market has had one of the fastest recoveries worldwide. According to OAG, Colombia currently holds the best capacity recovery among the top 20 country markets in the world. There are 8,964 international flights scheduled in December by 25 airlines.
Nonetheless, Colombia is currently not connected with the Middle East, unlike other Latin American big markets like Mexico and Brazil. Colombia is set to change that.
Aeronáutica Civil explained,
“With the modernization of this relationship, it opens the possibility towards the entrance of new carriers like Emirates and Etihad. They will dynamize the international market and allow stronger and better connectivity possibilities.”
At this point, neither Emirates nor Etihad has announced a formal interest in flying to Colombia.
Lack of transoceanic connectivity
Colombia currently has direct connectivity with Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, and Istanbul, according to Cirium. The carriers operating in this market are Air Europa, Air France, Avianca, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines. Due to the cultural importance, Madrid is the main gateway to Europe, with Avianca and Iberia scheduling over a hundred monthly flights between both countries.
Nonetheless, Colombia lacks transoceanic connectivity compared to other regional competitors. To address that issue, Aeronáutica Civil signed and renewed more agreements with other countries during ICAN 2021.
For example, after 74 years of not updating it, Colombia and the UK modernized their bilateral air transport agreement. Colombia also updated its agreements with Chile, Curazao, Spain, Nigeria, and the UAE. This feat could increase the offer to Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Africa said Aeronáutica Civil.
Moreover, Colombia signed three new air transport agreements with Rwanda, Kuwait, and Guyana. Plus, it signed accords with Congo, Benin, Bahrein, Belize, and Oman, although it is unlikely we will ever see a direct flight between Kinshasa and Bogota.
Colombia’s president, Ivan Duque, said,
“The COVID-19 pandemic hit very hard the airline industry. ICAN 2021 has given us the opportunity to support the recovery process. I must showcase that Colombia has had the best competitiveness in terms of air connectivity in the last 25 years.”
Would you like to see a commercial flight between Abu Dhabi or Dubai to Bogota? What aircraft do you believe could Etihad or Emirates deploy? Let us know in the comments below.
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