Colombia Approves New Emirates Route from Dubai, Avianca Has Tantrum

Last Friday, Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation regulator approved the request of Emirates airline for authorization as a foreign operator to operate international regular public transport air services on international routes to and from Colombia, between cities. from Dubai (UAE) and Bogotá, with a stopover in the city of Miami (USA).

The approval contemplates the start of regular daily passenger operations between Dubai and Bogotá, through Miami beginning June 3, 2024. The flights will be operated with Boeing 777-200LR and 777-300ER aircraft with the capacity to transport up to 354 passengers in a three-class configuration, and 14 tons of cargo on each flight.

According to the airline’s study presented to Aerocivil, Colombia represents a significant and growing demand for air travel to and from the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world. Emirates also will enable significant connectivity between Colombia, Africa and Asia through Dubai.

Avianca’s complaints

What made a routine approval more interesting was the reaction of the dominant carrier in Colombia’s market, Avianca who publicly complained that “Emirates just wants to exploit mature markets” and threatened that hundreds of jobs would be put at risk. Interesting assertions, as Avianca does not fly to Dubai or other nearby destinations.

Avianca, the airline that sought to dominate slots in Bogotá’s El Dorado International airport through its purchase of low cost carrier Viva (which later collapsed under Avianca’s ownership), accused Emirates of not respecting principles of equity, opportunity, and reciprocity, and invited Aerocivil to “evaluate these precedents.”

Emirates invited Avianca to establish a route to and from Dubai, and to “not be short sighted because borders are ending.”

The Minister of Transportation William Camargo Triana assured that “The arrival of Emirates to Colombia marks a historic milestone in our air connectivity and strengthens commercial and cultural ties with the Arab world. This alliance will enhance tourism, trade and investment, promoting the country’s economic development and consolidating our position as a global destination. “We are committed to continuing to promote initiatives that promote the growth and international integration of Colombia.”

For his part, the General Director of Civil Aeronautics, Sergio París, pointed out that: “In the field of international relations, Colombia opens paths towards new scenarios of collaboration and understanding. Today, we are pleased with the establishment of an air connection with the vibrant city of Dubai, which marks not only a link between destinations, but also symbolizes our nation’s firm commitment to global integration. “The Arab nations are witnesses of a prosperous and diverse Colombia, prepared to cultivate ties of friendship, tourism and trade that transcend geographical borders, contributing to the construction of a more connected world.”

The approval of the request is under the auspices of “the fifth freedom of the air,” through the United States, a commercial aviation principle consisting of the right to embark and disembark passengers, mail and cargo to or from third States.