Between January and September 2025, Colombia registered 4,875,830 non-resident visitors, according to figures released by Migración Colombia and the Office of Economic Studies (OEE) of the Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (MinCIT).

Air traffic data from the Aeronáutica Civil indicates that 37 million passengers traveled on regular flights between January and August 2025. This volume represents a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and an 18.6% increase relative to 2023.

Of the total passenger volume, 20.9 million passengers flew on domestic routes, while 16.2 million were on international routes. The 7.3% increase in international traffic over the 15.1 million recorded in 2024 reflects the expansion of the country’s air connectivity, says the ministry.

In August 2025, 4,998,176 passengers were mobilized on regular flights, including 2.8 million domestic and 2.18 million international passengers. This monthly total was a 0.1% increase from August 2024 and a 14.6% increase compared to August 2023.

Geographically, El Dorado Airport in Bogotá processed 69% of all international passengers. The primary international hubs following Bogotá were the José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro (Medellín) and the Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena.

International Visitor Composition and Source Markets

The 4.87 million non-resident visitors recorded from January to September 2025 included 3,467,026 foreign nationals, 1,191,475 Colombian residents living abroad, and 217,329 international cruise ship passengers.

While the total number of non-resident visitors showed a 4.2% reduction compared to 2024, the specific segment of foreign non-residents increased by 4.5% during the nine-month period. Foreign non-resident arrivals have accumulated a 14.8% growth relative to 2023 figures.

The US remained the largest source market, accounting for 22.7% of the total foreign visitors. Other principal source countries were Mexico (11.4%), Ecuador (7.6%), and Peru (5.2%).

In terms of arrival points, Bogotá received 38.5% of foreign non-resident visitors, followed by the departments of Antioquia (26.9%) and Bolívar (16.7%). These departments continue to concentrate the majority of international tourism activity in the nation.

The September figures indicate sustained international engagement with Colombia and the continued activity of the country’s air travel sector. The increased foreign visitor count and expanded air traffic volume correlate with regional economic activity.

The redesign focused on increasing capacity and integrating elements of Colombian culture, as well as advancing the airline’s sustainability objectives.

“With this renovation, we aim for passengers to experience a space designed to meet their travel needs. Each area is conceived to reflect what we are: an evolving airline connected to its environment,” stated Erika Zarante, CEO of LATAM Airlines Colombia.

The renovation included structural and material changes intended to optimize the passenger experience. Key design elements include translucent metal dividers, influenced by the design of the Santiago de Chile lounge, a copper curtain, an artisanal piece crafted by Colombian artist Lizarazo, was retained from the previous design, serving as an exercise in aesthetic continuity and sustainability. Additionally, local artisans crafted the palm-woven Iraca lamps, which the airline states is a commitment to local production.

Approximately 70% of the seating and furnishings were updated for improved comfort, including the co-working areas, via a materials reutilization process. The facility also incorporated new motion-sensor faucets and other materials with a low environmental impact. A metallic structure lamp, weighing an estimated 400 kilograms, was installed over the buffet area, positioning the space as a central feature of the lounge. The redesign provided an unobstructed view of the runway for departing passengers.

The lounge’s food and beverage program was also updated to align with Colombian culinary traditions. The menu rotates every two weeks and features regional dishes such as calentado, carne con salsa cartagenera, aborrajados, and volcán de arequipe. A separate “Coffee Break” space is dedicated exclusively to the country’s coffee production. During peak hours, an exclusive offering, including gourmet meatballs and omelets, is available to passengers.

The lounge has been positioned by the airline as a leader in waste management within the group’s network. It currently reports an 88% recycling rate, with 12% of its total waste directed to landfills. The facility accommodates an average daily demand of 700 to 800 passengers, with future plans to evolve toward a multi-space format similar to the airline’s Signature lounges in Santiago, Lima, and Miami.

The renovation follows a period of growth for the carrier’s Colombian subsidiary. During the third quarter of 2025, LATAM Airlines Colombia transported an estimated 7.9 million passengers across its 18 domestic and seven international routes.

In the cargo sector, the company reported a 43% market share, moving 99.5 tons internationally and 22.7 kilotons domestically. The loyalty program, LATAM Pass, continues to expand its base, reporting 4 million active members.

“Under no circumstances may anyone outside the air traffic control services be permitted to manipulate the control communications equipment.” – Aerocivil

According to a statement from Aerocivil, the agency took immediate action following the incident. Through Resolution 1923, issued on July 25, the aeronautical licenses of the air traffic controllers directly involved have been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

In addition to the suspensions, the Office of Internal Disciplinary Control has opened a case (2025/178) into five other officials who may have been connected to the event. The aviation authority has also announced its intention to refer the findings of its internal investigation to the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia to determine whether the acts warrant criminal charges against the controllers.

Video shows the teen providing runway coordinates, directions, landing authorizations & other weather information to airline pilots.

In its public statements, Aerocivil tried to reassure the public, saying that while the incident represents a “serious violation of air safety regulations,” established security protocols were activated, and at no point were active flight operations compromised. The authority emphasized that the actions of the individuals under investigation do not reflect the standards of the majority of its air traffic control professionals.

El Dorado International Airport is operated by Operadora Aeroportuaria Internacional (OPAIN S.A.), a private consortium. The airport is a critical hub for passenger and cargo traffic in Latin America. OPAIN has not yet issued a public statement on the matter.

Video provided by RCN

According to witness Sandra Barba, another traveler arriving from Brazil, Bio-Mig, the relatively new biometric entry system that Colombia has installed in major airports to allow registered Colombians to bypass the immigration entry stamp process, was malfunctioning.

@MigracionCol @MinInterior @PoliciaBogota denuncio públicamente a este funcionario de Migración Colombia golpeando a un ciudadano y atentando contra mi en el @BOG_ELDORADO. Nov 24/22, 09:30am. Necesito el nombre del funcionario para poner la denuncia @AerocivilCol @FiscaliaCol pic.twitter.com/HnLMVzkpui

— Sandra Barba (@ViviBarba) November 24, 2022

When Camarillo called on an immigration official to point out that the machines were malfunctioning, causing a line to begin to back up, Barba said that the official began to insult Camarillo. After she started to record the rising tensions with her smartphone, Sánchez kicks Camarillo, and can even be seen swinging at her for recording the attack.

Colombia’s immigration authority, Migración Colombia says that it has opened an investigation into the altercation. The union representing migration officers has already come out in defense of the official, with union President Julián Garcia saying that Sánchez was only responding to multiple attacks and that the officers face a high workload every day. Garcia went on to complain that the officials are stressed due to understaffing, leading to very long immigration lines.

Friday, Migración Colombia’s Director General Fernando García Manosalva said in a statement that, “these behaviors are not acceptable and will not be allowed in Colombia Migration because they do not correspond to the spirit of respect for the rights of citizens that are the foundation of the current government, nor to its commitment to change.”

García added that “we are not going to tolerate this type of attitude” and that is why he announced the start of the investigations in accordance with current regulations, immediately after the incident occurred. Likewise, he reported that “my office contacted the attacked citizen to apologize and express our firm commitment to build a more humane treatment in all its processes.”

Photo montage from twitter video by @ViviBarba

This message has been reprinted in its entirety as issued by the US Embassy in Bogotá.

The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid areas around demonstrations whenever possible and exercise caution when in the vicinity of large gatherings as even peaceful demonstrations have the potential to turn violent without any warning.

Actions to Take: 

•        Avoid protest areas.
•        Avoid crowds and demonstrations.
•        Monitor local media for updates.
•        Exercise vigilance.
•        Be aware of your surroundings.
•        Plan for alternative travel routes.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia
Tel. +57-1-275-2000 or 601-275-2000
acsbogota@state.gov 
https://co.usembassy.gov/

U.S. Consular Agency, Barranquilla
conagencybarranquilla@state.gov

U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444

Colombia Country Information

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

On August 3^rd, Spirit Airlines filed for permission with Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority, to add daily flights between Miami, Florida and the Colombian cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, and Cali. According to Flightconnections.com, Spirit already flies to seven Colombian cities, primarily from Fort Lauderdale, but also from Miami and Tampa. Colombian travelers were not spared in Spirit’s operational meltdown last week, with multiple flights canceled or delayed.

As Spirit runs a broad but shallow network, meaning it flies to many destinations but often with only a few flights per week, per destination, one canceled flight can leave travelers stranded for days with no recourse. Last week, Spirit canceled thousands, leaving hundreds of thousands of budget travelers stranded, many without the financial resources to purchase scarce, same-day flights on other airlines, or to find overnight accommodations, ground transportation, or meals in remote locations.

“It makes me sort of wonder how they had thought about the schedule they’re running and so on,” said former Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza on his Airlines Confidential Podcast. “You know, an airline like Spirit which flies basically about one trip a day per route they fly makes it very, very difficult when they have operational problems. If an American or Delta has to cancel some flights, in many cases…or Southwest, they may have you know, five or eight frequencies in a day so they can cancel three of those, re-accommodate people on other flights, and at least get people there the same day, if late. And in Spirit’s case if they cancel, most likely they don’t have a plane flying between those two cities that day and the next day’s flight is probably pretty full so it’s going to take them a long time.”

Other airline industry executives close to Spirit have said that Spirit’s woes stem from expanding more rapidly than they can hire and train pilots and crew, leaving the existing staff overworked and exhausted. The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) representing gate agents at Fort Lauderdale issued a written statement saying that the Spirit employees it represents are “being subjected to ongoing mandatory overtime, no breaks, and no meal periods.”

“TWU is imploring passengers to take their ire out on the airline’s executives, since they are directly responsible for these travel disruptions! Our Agents who are doing everything they can, with their hands tied behind their backs, to take care of every passenger (sic). Executives who hide in the office and create catchy sound bites for the media are doing little to fix their passengers’ experience. These same executives have shown little concern for the safety and mental well-being of their frontline Agents at FLL, who have been attacked and even spat on – just for doing their job,” said the union in a statement.

“As the Union for the Guest Service Representatives at FLL, we want to make it crystal clear – these Agents are being subjected to circumstances far beyond their level of control or responsibility – do not take your frustrations out on them because they are the victims of the airline’s bad decision making, too.”

Will Sprit be able to keep expanding, and adding multiple new routes while normalizing its employment situation and improving reliability? Will budget-conscious travelers forgive Spirit and trust them again on intercontinental flights between North & South America? Time will tell.

We want to make it crystal clear – @SpiritAirlines Agents are being subjected to circumstances far beyond their level of control or responsibility – do not take your frustrations out on them because they are victims of the airlines bad decision making, too #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/vIy9rhJI3f

— TWU (@transportworker) August 5, 2021

In addition to the new routes which would more than double Viva’s international reach, the Medellín-based airline has also filed for authorization to add domestic routes from Bucaramanga, Colombia to the Caribbean destinations of San Andrés, Cartagena and Barranquilla; and flights from the border city of Cúcuta to Cartagena and San Andrés.

Viva has not yet announced these routes, and Aerocivil has yet to issue final approval. Neither has confirmation been received from the destination countries. Generally, negotiations have taken place before authorization is filed.

Viva Air CEO Felix Antelo (pictured above), a native of Argentina himself, has stated publicly that the airline expects to connect North & South America “from Buenos Aires to New York” through its Medellín hub.

When contacted by Finance Colombia, a Viva spokesperson said “The request for new routes that Viva made is part of the pool of destinations that we evaluate as an airline conforming to our plan of expansion and internationalization. As the leading low-cost airline in the region, this request is part of our ‘Hub Medellín’ project which seeks to make this city our principal connection center.  These are some of the approximately 15 routes that we are exploring under our 3-year expansion plan.”

These routes are part of a larger effort by American Airlines and JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) to coordinate schedules and codeshares, a practice that provides passenger access to a broader network by allowing travelers to book a single itinerary directly with their preferred airline for flights operated by a partner airline. The first routes available for purchase will include domestic point-to-point markets, some operated by only one carrier and others operated by both airlines.

The Colombia-NY routes will be serviced by Boeing 777-200 widebody aircraft.

“This is the first step to delivering the best customer proposition with the biggest network in New York and Boston,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Revenue Officer. “In the months ahead, we’ll continue to create a seamless experience that’s easy for our customers, supports our communities and leads to more growth for our team.”

American and NY based JetBlue Airlines announced their Northeast Alliance in July, followed by the airlines’ intent to introduce key elements of the alliance after review by the Department of Transportation in January.

“Our alliance with American opens the door for JetBlue to successfully enter into new markets, introducing more choices and our award-winning service and low fares to more customers,” said Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue. “The alliance is also essential to getting our planes back in the air profitably and crewmembers working again.”

Travelers arriving to Colombia must present a negative result of a PCR test for Covid-19 taken no longer than 96 hours before the stipulated time of travel and whoever has symptoms associated with Covid-19 will not be allowed to get on board.

In order to make easier the immigration process, passengers must fill the online form CheckMig www.migracioncolombia.gov.co between 1 and 24 hours prior to flight departure and should wear a face mask in airplanes and airports. Within Colombian air terminals, the minimum distance of 2 meters must be respected; on the arrival of a flight, the use of conveyor belts will be maximized; and the access to the airport terminal must be done 3 hours before the international flight.

Some measures on airplanes are: on short flights, toilets should not be used; if the flight is less than two hours, the cabin crew will not perform service on board; on medium and long flights (more than 2 hours) it is recommended to have available several face masks and replace them throughout the flight; and passengers must remain in their assigned seat at all times.

“This is a key step for the country to move towards the reactivation of the tourism industry in a safe, regulated and coordinated way. The recovery of international air connectivity was one of the strategic actions that we established in ProColombia. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have worked with airlines to coordinate their return and develop promotional plans to boost their sales. With strict protocols that guarantee the safety of travelers, we hope that nearby countries will visit our destinations with confidence and have the best experiences,” stated Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia.

The Colombian Government announced the reopening of the international air connectivity with the inauguration of the first two flights on September 19th from Cartagena with the arrival of Spirit Air coming from Fort Lauderdale, and the departure of the Colombian airline Viva Air to Miami. In addition, as of September 21st, flights will be restored from Mexico and the Dominican Republic among other countries.

The first airports open to international passenger flights are CTG: Rafael Núñez in Cartagena, CLO: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón in Cali, MDE: José María Córdova in Rionegro (which serves Medellín) and BOG: El Dorado in Bogotá.

Photo courtesy Spirit Air; graphic courtesy Viva Air

Two flights will depart from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogotá, onAugust 24 & 26.  One flight will depart from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) in Cali, on August 25.  One flight will depart on August 21 from Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena.  One flight will depart from José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, on August 27.  All flights will arrive at Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

  This message has been reprinted in its entirety as issued by the US Embassy in Bogotá.

These flights have been made available to allow U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents to return to the United States.  Please contact Spirit Airlines directly for seat availability, reservations, and pricing information.

If you are interested in returning to the United States, please take advantage of these flights.  The U.S. government cannot guarantee the ability to arrange flights indefinitely.  U.S. citizens should return immediately to the United States, unless you are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.

THESE FLIGHTS CAN ONLY BE BOOKED ONLINE.

If you purchase a ticket on one of these flights, and encounter difficulties traveling to the airport from your location, please contact THE CONSULATE at ColombiaEvac@state.gov or (57) 1 275-2000.  They have received reports that taxis and bus companies continue to operate, albeit at reduced and limited schedules.  If you believe you will have difficulty reaching the airport due to travel restrictions, please provide us with your travel information (name, date of birth, passport number, and contact details).

Bogotá Departures:

• August 24
• August 26

Cali Departure: August 25

Cartagena Departure: August 21

Medellín Departure: August 27

Please note that as of May 25 transport permits (salvoconductos) will no longer be necessary to travel to an airport for humanitarian flights.  Instead, travelers should carry a copy of their boarding pass – physical or digital – as well as identification (e.g., cedula or passport).  If a driver is used, the driver should also carry a copy of the traveler’s boarding pass and authorization of the respective humanitarian flight.  Drivers will have up to 48 hours to travel to and from the departure airport.  If you encounter difficulties while traveling to the airport, please contact the US Embassy at ACSBogota@state.gov or (57) 1 275-2000.

IMPORTANT:

Due to current travel guidelines in the United States, individuals with visas who have been in Brazil, China, Iran, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside of Europe), the Republic of Ireland, or the Schengen Area within 14 days prior to the flight will not be allowed to board this flight.  U.S. citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, and their immediate family members who are returning home after visiting travel-restricted countries may still reenter by going through a process for enhanced medical screenings at specially designated airports.  For the most current information regarding COVID-19, the May 24 Presidential Proclamation, and its impact on travel to the United States, please visit www.dhs.gov and www.whitehouse.gov.

Onward connections from Fort Lauderdale, Florida are available.

Only support animals registered 48 hours in advance in full compliance with Spirit’s normal policy for support animals will be permitted.  For more information, refer to Spirit Airlines support animal policy.

Normal services (food service, water fountains, etc.) at airports are closed.

———————————————————-

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19

Actions to Take:

• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Colombia.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia

Tel. +57-1-275-2000

acsbogota@state.gov

https://co.usembassy.gov/

U.S. Consular Agency, Barranquilla

conagencybarranquilla@state.gov

U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs

1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444

Colombia Country Information

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive security updates

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter