Avianca's top executive called it a “difficult decision” to suspend flights for first time in 60 years while citing safety concerns and operational difficulties.
Medellín hosted 42 international association meetings in 2016. This was the same number as Chicago and Zurich — and seven times as many as the former world murder capital held in 2006.
Seven have been confirmed dead, 11 are still missing, and more than 130 people have been rescued after disaster struck during a holiday weekend boat trip in Guatapé.
The deal represents an update to Copa's existing order of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and will make Copa “the first airline in Latin America" to operate the 737 Max 10.