Restructuring of airlines, preference for direct flights, modifications in the routes operated and the use of smaller aircraft are some of the changes expected in the regional air market in the context of the new business normality.
Air traffic has virtually disappeared in the last three months, as governments in Central America have decided to close borders and suspend commercial flights to and from the region's airports as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
As of February 3rd, Avianca will begin operating a new frequency between the capital of El Salvador and the U.S. city.
The new frequency will leave El Salvador at 6:55 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 10:35 p.m. The flight from the U.S. city will leave at 00:30 hours and will arrive in the Central American country at 7:19 hours.
Starting in August, Avianca plans to start operating new direct routes between the Salvadoran capital and the cities of Boston and Orlando.
The airline reported that both flights will have four frequencies per week and will depart from Monsenor Óscar Arnulfo Romero and Galdámez International Airport. The flight to Orlando will be inaugurated on August 1 and the route to Boston will begin on August 17.
An announced has been made of a definitive deprogramming of the weekly flight that operated between Buenos Aires and Caracas, citing operational reasons.
Already in August the airline operating under the Argentine flag had announced the suspension of the tickets sales for this flight.Now the company has announced the deprogramming of its weekly flight in definitive form.
The strike organized by the colombian operations´pilots has forced the airline to suspend the sale of tickets for flights between Bogota and Guatemala City until October 5.
Prensalibre.com reports that "...For the rest of the destinations operating from Guatemala, passengers will be able to purchase tickets without any problems, as these flights are not affected by the strike reported Avianca's North American, Central American & Caribbean Regional Communications department."
In five years the airline market in Central America has transformed from being a market dominated by two major airlines, to one with new entrants, lower prices and greater connectivity.
The arrival of so called "low cost" airlines to the region has resulted in a progressive reduction in the prices of tickets to fly between Central American countries. Between 2011 and 2014 the average cost without taxes for travelling between Costa Rica and El Salvador ranged from between $400 and $500, while in 2015 it costs $391.
The government could sign a cooperation agreement with the aerospace company for the project to expand the international terminal in San Salvador.
This is not the first time that representatives from the aviation sector have approached the government to propose the development of the Monseñor Romero airport , which is already operating above its capacity and limiting the development and growth of companies in the same sector and the country as an air hub for the airline Avianca.
The private sector is urging the government to define and execute financing once and for all for the expansion works of San Salvador's airport, which already operates at "200% of its capacity."
Avianca representatives say the current capacity of Monsignor Romero airport has already been far exceeded and the terminal needs to be expanded in order to improve passenger services and increase air operations. Roberto Kriete, cofounder of Avianca Holdings, said they are "crying out" for the airport expansion and that this situation "has delayed the growth of the company."
From the February 27 the tourism promotion program Stop Over, which allows passengers with connections of between 5 and 48 hours to leave the airport will operates without charging additional fees.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador (MITUR):
The company received the authorization to expand the jet fuel plant in Comalapa and plans to invest $20 million between 2015 and 2016 to improve the capacity of the plant in Acajutla.
Expansion of the terminal near the Comalapa airport will cost approximately $1 million and will allow for storage of up to 16,000 barrels of jet fuel to meet demand from the airlines with which it holds contracts.
With the entry of two competitors focusing on the business of low-cost fares, the airline market in Central America is preparing for a potential price war.
Panama has become the starting point for tourists looking to travel to the rest of Central America, where new airlines want to capitalize on a market which so far has been driven Copa Airlines and Avianca. Air Panama and VivaColombia are looking to compete in the market offering low prices, but limiting their offer to other services such as luggage.
Although the master plan is ready, changes in the Autonomous Executive Port Commission and other factors have delayed, again, the modernization of the international airport in El Salvador.
Roberto Kriete, co-founder and member of the board of Avianca Holdings told Laprensagrafica.com that "... 'the airport is an issue that has a very large financial impact nationally and it is a topic that unfortunately when there are changes of government and even more so changes in leadership at the CEPA (the modernization process) there is a delay of at least six months while it is all reviewed ...There are obvious needs for the expansion of the airport terminal, and (it is obvious) that the process of modernization should be sped up.'"
The Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authority has reported that Volaris is arranging for permission to operate a flight from Mexico to Ilopango airport, in the department of San Salvador.
The airlineVolaris, owned by Avianca and the siblings Roberto and Maria Cristina Kriete, has requested permission to fly between Mexico and Ilopango Air Terminal, in the department of San Salvador.
In order to promote tourism passengers with flight connections in El Salvador will be allowed remain in the country and take advantage of tourist activities for up to 48 hours without paying taxes.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador (MITUR):
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