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."
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.
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):
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.
From 23rd to 25th of February representatives from airlines, airports and the tourism industry will be reviewing air services in the region.
More than 400 aviation professionals, representatives from 70 airlines, 25 authorities for tourism and airports will meet from 23rd to 25th February in El Salvador in the seventh edition of Routes Americas, an event aimed at developing new routes and expanding connectivity .
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.
El Salvador's Vuelos Económicos Centroamericanos and Costa Rica's Ticos Air and Ticas Airlines are in various stages of preparation and registration to offer flights in the region.
Vuelos Económicos Centroamericanos (CASI) reported that it has leased two Airbus aircraft and will invest nearly $100 million in order to start operations in March 2014. The company is interested in creating a market in the low-cost segment and not competing with airlines such as Avianca and Copa, said Edgar Hasbun, CEO of the company.
Avianca has announced the opening of two new routes to connect San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa to New Jersey, with a stop in El Salvador, four times a week.
Although in November it will only operate four times a week, from December 1 there will be daily flights.
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.
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