The arrival of new competitors with frequencies between Colombia and Central America has generated a reduction in rates, favoring customers.
The opening of routes from Medellin and Bogota to Panama, by the airlines AirPanama and VivaColombia with fares "... up to 70% less than those offered by the subsidiary of Copa Holdings" is already generating benefits to travelers.
Starting July 2nd the number of frequencies to the South American country will be reduced from 48 to 10 per week and flights from New York, Dallas and San Juan, Puerto Rico will be canceled, keeping only the Miami - Caracas route.
The reason behind the decision of the U.S. airline is the $750 million that the Venezuelan government owes, as it does to other airlines in the world, such as Alitalia, Copa Airlines and Air Canada, among others.
An announcement has been made of the arrival, starting May 29, of two flights per week from Managua to the new airport on the island of Ometepe.
The airfield which had an investment of more than $10 million, will receive La Costeña, an air carrier which will operate flights on Thursdays and Sundays, at a cost of $100 per roundtrip ticket.
"La Costeña's entry to the island is a response to the demand by tourism entrepreneurs for this destination, who requested the activation of this airfield, which has an extension measuring 1,500 meters long and 30 wide."
From July Delta Airlines will fly once a day nonstop from Los Angeles to the capital of El Salvador.
The U.S. carrier Delta Airlines will begin operating a new route between San Salvador and Los Angeles on July 2 this year.
A press release issued by the airline indicates that "the route is pending approval by the government and will be operated using a Boeing 737-800 with 160 seats, including 16 Business Class seats, 18 seats in Economy Comfort and 126 seats in Economy. "
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.
The tourism guild is asking for an improvement in air connections in order to attract visitors from more distant regions such as South America and Europe.
Leonardo Torres, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Small and Medium Tourism Companies, said that although passenger traffic increased 10% in January compared with the same month of 2013, air links should be improved in order to attract visitors from more distant regions as South America and Europe.
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 .
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 Venezuelan state airline Conviasa is to start flying directly, starting in December, from Maiquetia airport to Tocumen and Augusto Sandino.
"On December 5 we will be flying from Maiquetia (the airport which serves Caracas) to Panama and on December 7 wewill be flying from Panama to Nicaragua," said Hebert Garcia, Minister of Water and Air Transport in Venezuela.
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.
The Nicaraguan airline La Costeña S.A. plans to operate direct flights between Managua and Tegucigalpa before the end of the year.
This will be the first time in over ten years that the airline has made international commercial flights. "We already have permits and in the remainder of the year we will be making flights between Managua and Tegucigalpa" said Julio Caballero, director of the company.
The Venezuelan airline has announced it will open a new route between Caracas and Managua with a stopover in Panama.
Hebert García, Venezuelan Minister of Water and Air Transport, said: "Conviasa should be a powerful airline nationally and internationally. We have to fulfill the plan we were left by Commander Hugo Chavez to make it the flagship airline of Venezuela ".
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.
Now customers can purchase airline tickets at aa.com at no additional charge.
Starting next December the airline will start flights between Tampa International Airport, Florida, and Tocumen in Panama.
The new route will link passengers from Tampa with Central American countries and those in South America, through Copa's hub in Panama.
No details have been released about the flight, to verify if Copa Airlines will use a Boeing 737 aircraft. The duration of the flight will be approximately two and a half hours.
Vuelos Económicos Centroamericanos S.A.'s project will have the financial support of Alba Petróleos.
This was confirmed by the principal advisor to Alba Petróleos, José Luis Merino. "Alba has received the group of businessmen behind the possible airline, who have requested financial support to study the current context of aviation and decide on their entry," said Merino.