Passenger services between the USA and Colombia will be increased after an agreement between two countries' aviation authorities. The accord, valid for four years, gives each country an additional 21 weekly frequencies to be introduced gradually in three blocks.
Avianca, Colombia's largest carrier, has been allocated three frequencies, with four more to be introduced next year, while ACES has been granted four this year and three in 2001.
While it is not yet confirmed how the USA will distribute its 21 frequencies, Continental Airlines is seeking to expand its Colombian operations and Delta Air Lines is expected to get authorisation to open services to Bogota from its Atlanta hub.
The accord, made possible by last year's recertification of Colombia by the US Federal Aviation Administration, contains important concessions to protect Colombian airlines from the competition posed by the US carriers. US airlines will not be able to initiate services to Medellin - Colombia's second city - from Miami or New York hubs until October 2002.
This will provide a breathing space to ACES which operates the Medellin-Miami route. American is known to be interested in flying to Medellin from its Miami hub.
Another important concession made to Colombia was the opening up of a new charter link to Orlando. Any Colombian airline can apply to cover the route from any location in Colombia, but this part of the agreement is not reciprocal.
Aerorepublica, a Colombian airline, will initially test the market with four or five charter flights a week. This is the first international route granted to Aerorepublica, although it has traditionally flown to Caribbean destinations under contract from tour operators.
Local authorities stress the importance of the framework of the agreement as it was reached without a long-term Colombian commitment to open skies. Ernesto Huertas, Colombia's civil aviation chief, describes the deal as "important and novel", noting that it also allows codesharing arrangements with US carriers that could lead to alliances. "These elements have not been achieved elsewhere without a long term commitment to open skies," says Huertas.
Source: Airline Business
