Avianca Launches Direct Route from Medellín to San Andres

Starting July 6, Colombian airline Avianca will begin operating a direct flight from Medellín to the popular tourist island San Andres. The carrier is planning at least three flights per week that will be served by Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of up to 180 passengers.

The planned schedule for the roughly two-hour flight is to depart Colombia’s second-largest city at 2:50 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Return flights from San Andres to Medellin will take off on the same days at 5:32 pm.

“We are betting on the potential of Medellin, San Andres, and the country,” said David Aleman, sales director for Colombia and South America at Avianca.

For San Andres and the nearby island Providencia, the potential uptick in tourism will be very welcome. The local economy is highly dependent on Colombian vacationers, and the communities have taken a big hit in recent years from pandemic lockdowns and the severe damage that Hurricane Iota caused to Providencia in November 2020.

“Avianca has demonstrated to be an important partner for the archipelago,” said Everth Julio Hawkins, governor of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. “This demonstrates the company’s commitment to islanders, as the new routes not only transport tourists but also Raizales who travel [to the mainland] for study and health reasons. We hope to strengthen this relationship with new aircraft and the maintenance of these new routes beyond the holiday season.”

Photo: A beach in San Andres. (Credit: Mr.Jhosimar)