The low-cost airline VivaColombia is looking at opening up routes to Central American countries.
During the inauguration of Routes Americas which was held in El Salvador, the head of tourism in the country, Jose Napoleon Duarte said they have begun talks with the low-cost airline VivaColombia, which has shown interest in opening routes to countries in Central America.
United Airlines, American Airlines and Air Canada have also suspended the sale of tickets for international flights to Venezuela.
The international airlines American Airlines, United Airlines and Copa Airlines have decided to temporarily cancel the sale of air tickets in Venezuela. The measure was taken due to the uncertainty generated over a multi million-dollar debt the government holds with some airlines and the changes that have been made relating to foreign exchange.
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.
Central American countries need to grant each other complete air freedom, with unrestricted frequencies and multiple designations.
A study of the conditions of competition in air transport for passengers in El Salvador, prepared by the Superintendency of Competition in the country, contains relevant definitions for optimization of air transport not only for El Salvador, but also all other Central countries.
The abandonment of several routes by Avianca leaves, apparently, niches that could be used by new players.
An article in Elfinancierocr.com reports that "If all goes as planned, 2014 could see the start of operations by three new Central American airlines: Air Ticos, Ticas Airlines and Vuelos Económicos Centroamericanos (VECA). The new companies want to attend to the international passenger routes amid an industry dominated by giants such as Avianca, Copa Airlines, Delta and 20 other international airlines."
The Superintendency of Competition could set minimum and maximum transient prices for air tickets, in the national interest or because of public need.
The initiative a proposal by the Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) to the Salvadoran Congress to amendment Article 22 of the Civil Aviation Act so that the Superintendency of Competition (SC) can set those rates.
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 airline VECA has began a recruitment process and expects to perform its maiden flight next February.
We have been watching this recruitment drive with interest "because there are technical personnel we have to certify pilots, those responsible for instruction, flight attendants, maintenance staff, management, and quality staff," said Roger Menendez, executive director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) .
American Airlines has withdrawn its supply to Despegar.com accusing the company of using a wholesale pricing policy which is unfair and inaccurate.
The airline has withdrawn sale of its flights by Despegar.com and from websites developed by Despegar.com, including all sites worldwide such as Decolar.com.
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 Autonomous Executive Port Commission of El Salvador recommends having intermediate policies which are somewhere between "closed skies" and "open skies" as a way to lower air fares.
An article in Laprensagráfica.com reports that the Commission for public works, transport and housing of the Legislature "is examining proposing reforms to the Civil Aviation Act on open skies. Deputies are seeking inputs that allow lower costs for airline tickets for both overseas travel to El Salvador and vice versa. "
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