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.
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.
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.
Flights from San Jose to New York, Los Angeles, Havana, Quito and Guayaquil will now stop in El Salvador or Colombia.
Avianca announced the cancellation of five direct flights from San Jose, as part of a restructuring program that the company is undertaking. Flights to Los Angeles, New York, Havana, Quito and Guayaquil, will leave the country but will now stop in El Salvador or Colombia.
The new airline route now includes a stopover in San Salvador.
Starting January 16th the airline will be rearranging its operations from San Jose, Costa Rica to Miami, Florida with flights from Monday to Sunday with stops in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The Colombian airline Avianca has announced that as of September 17 it will run four flights a week between San Salvador and Chicago, United States.
Prensa.com reports: "The flight will be operated with an Airbus A319 aircraft, with capacity for 120 passengers, including 12 business class seats and 108 in tourist class, the company said."
The flights from El Salvador to Chicago will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:35 am, while those from the U.S. will will be on the same days but at 4:15 p.m.
The airline has announced that from September 60 additional flights will come to the country, which will mean an increase of 9% in passenger arrivals.
According to Avianca's commercial director in the region, Danilo Sepulveda, El Salvador receives 1.3 million passengers every year, therefore with the arrival of these new frequencies, the number will increase by 120,000 users in one year. "We are targeting variable segments and in part the business management philosophy is to look for something integrated into different segments," he said.
The airline said that from July 1 they will start operating a direct daily flight between Los Angeles and San Jose, Costa Rica.
This new route will complement the two daily services currently offered by Delta from San Jose to Atlanta and will be operated by a Boeing 757-200 with capacity for 180 passengers, with 24 seats in first class and 156 in economy class.
Avianca-TACA will fly daily between Bogota and San Salvador, without stops, from 9 August.
Avianca will be the first company to operate direct flights beween the two countries and in doing so consolidates its network of routes in North and South America.
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