“The Québec market is incredibly important to us, and we’re proud to introduce direct service to San Andrés this winter,” says Lyne Chayer, vice president, Québec, Sunwing Vacations Group. “This hidden Caribbean gem offers an authentic and vibrant experience that perfectly complements our vacation offerings from Québec City and, with the recent addition of Grand Sirenis San Andrés, gives our travel advisors and mutual clients even more choice of all-inclusive options for their winter getaways,” Lyne added.

The Grand Sirenis San Andrés, which opened earlier this year, caters to both adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts alike. The resort boasts an array of amenities suitable for all ages, including:

• An infinity pool with an uninterrupted view of the Sea of Seven Colors, and a kids’ pool.
• Culinary offerings with Brazilian, Italian, Japanese, and steakhouse options.
• A variety of on-site activities and entertainment, including resort-offered yoga, the Miniclub Sirenios for kids, live music and shows, and more.
• Modern gym, curated wellness experience, and access to the region’s cultural attractions nearby.
• Accommodations with tropical-inspired décor.

The new direct route from Quebec City to San Andrés will operate from December 2025 to April 2026, providing Quebec residents with an opportunity to explore one of Colombia’s most vibrant islands and experience the newly established Grand Sirenis San Andrés resort.

Grand Sirenis San Andrés. Photo credit: Grand Sirenis San Andrés hotel.

During pandemic lockdowns in 2020, the airline still transported more than 247,000 travelers to and from the islands from four continental destinations that Viva Air operates directly to San Andrés: The cities of Cartagena and Cali, with daily flights all week; and Bogotá and Medellín with two flights every day.

Viva Air now has a fleet of 21 aircraft, including 19 factory-new Airbus A320 & A320neo, and an on-time rating of 95%.

“We ratify our commitment to San Andrés as a strategic destination and we remain firm in our intention to contribute to the economic reactivation of the country through air inclusion. Today we are the airline with the strongest footing on the island and this confirms that more and more Colombians trust our biosafety model and protocols,” said Viva Air CEO Felix Antelo. “We are proud to see that the low-cost option is consolidated in a destination as important for Colombia as San Andrés, promoting the development of the region and the much-needed reactivation of tourism in the country.”

Before Viva Air began flights to San Andrés in 2012, only about 7,000 passengers per month visited from Medellín. Within 12 months of its arrival, Viva had carried 25,000 passengers per month on the Medellín-San Andrés route, highlighting what Viva Air calls “The Viva Effect,” lowering market prices among competitors and spurring discretionary and leisure travel.

To help supply the island, which is a multi-day journey by cargo ship, Viva operates an air cargo transportation service to San Andrés, transporting more than 37 tons of cargo to date in 2021, improving access and supply for the island.

San Andrés suffered significant damage from tropical storm Iota at the end of 2020. The Viva Air Foundation airlifted 74 tons of food in more than 500 care packages donated by volunteers and 550 school kits to the islands (above photo), while mobilizing 9 teams of lifeguards and 2 veterinarians to support the residents.

Andrés Valencia Pinzón, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development – Photo: Twitter

The Colombian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has ratified resolution #350 of 2019, dated 25 October 2019 that sets fish and seafood harvest quotas for 2020 in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Ratified by Andrés Valencia Pinzón, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the resolution sets quotas for over 20 species of fish, lobsters, crabs, conch, and other seafood.

This article has an update: Colombian Agriculture Minister seeks to backtrack on shark finning quota

Regarding sharks and shark fins, the resolution specifies that:

• In the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, commercial anglers may harvest 125 tons of Silky Shark, and notably in a separate line item, 5.2 tons of shark fins from Silky Sharks, as part of the 125 ton total catch.
• In the Pacific Ocean, the resolution authorizes 350 tons of shark harvest total, in what it calls “artisanal fishing” and indicates that 6.3 tons of shark fins from Thresher Sharks (alopias pelagicus),5 tons of shark fins from Bigeye Thresher Sharks (alopias superciliosus), and 2.1 tons from Scalloped Bonnethead Sharks (Sphyrna corona)
• The resolution allows for the harvest of 22.234.600 individual aquarium fish of various types, including freshwater rays.
• The resolution allows for the harvest of significant amounts of other commercial seafood such as tuna, crabs, bonefish, spiny lobster, shrimp, etc.

It is not indicated how such harvests will be monitored, measured, or enforced.

The actual resolution can be downloaded by clicking here.