In explaining its desire to establish a presence in Colombia, the Florence-based company highlighted that this is a country with a population of nearly 50 million that is among the top 20 countries in the world in terms of receiving direct foreign investment, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

“Both countries have emerging economies which offer the company opportunities for market expansion with its high-quality, made-in-Italy pharmaceuticals,” said the company in a statement.

Menarini specializes in medicinal products for pain relief as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive tract, and urological treatment. With global annual revenue of more than €3.3 billion in 2015, according to the firm, it is also involved it research and development into cancer treatments.

The company formally inaugurated its new office in Bogotá on March 9 and now employs 40 people at the location. The launch celebration was held at the Italian embassy in the capital alongside Caterina Bertolini, the Italian ambassador to Colombia.

“We are enthusiastic about increasing our presence in Latin America with the opening of our branches in Peru and Colombia, strategic countries where Menarini has decided to strengthen its commitment to guarantee that patients have access to extremely high-quality medicinal products,” said Alberto Giovanni Aleotti, vice chairman of the Menarini Group. He added that, “this represents a stepping stone for international growth of the group.”

The launch event for Menarini’s smaller office in Peru, which employs 30 workers, took place in Lima two days earlier on March 7 at the Lima Art Museum. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Italian Ambassador Mauro Marsili.

The opening of two offices marks a significant expansion of Menarini’s presence in the region. The company opened its first Latin American branch nearly four decades ago in Guatemala, and it has since grown in Central America into Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Belize. In 2015, it reported 11% growth in this region to hit €93 million.

The Menarini Group has also had a presence in Mexico since 2009, and maintains distributors in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic.

Lan Colombia received approvals for the following new routes:

Route and Frequency

• Barranquilla – San Andres – Barranquilla 7 weekly
• Cartagena – San Andres – Cartagena 7 weekly
• Barranquilla – Cali – Barranquilla 7 weekly
• Medellin – Barranquilla – Medellin 7 weekly
• Medellin – Cali – Medellin 7 weekly
• Cali – Santa Marta – Cali 7 weekly
• Cartagena – Medellin – Cartagena 7 weekly
• Cartagena – Pereira – Cartagena 7 weekly
• Medellin – Santa Marta – Medellin 7 weekly
• Pereira – Santa Marta – Pereira 7 weekly
• Bogota – Punta Cana – Bogota 7 weekly
• Bogota – San Jose – Bogota 7 weekly
• Bogota – San Juan – Bogota 7 weekly

EasyFly received the following authorizations:

• Bogotá – Buenaventura – Bogotá 4 weekly
• Bogota – Florencia – Bogotá 7 weekly
• Bogotá – Popayán – Bogotá 7 weekly

American Airlines requested a route between Miami and Barranquilla – Miami with seven weekly flights, which was approved.

Delta Airlines received approval for the routes Atlanta – Cartagena – Atlanta, and Atlanta – Medellin – Atlanta with three and seven weekly flights, respectively.

Iberia was authorized to fly the route Madrid – Medellin – Cali – Madrid with three weekly flights, but may not carry domestic traffic between Medellin and Cali.

Venezuelan carrier Avior Airlines received partial approval on its application submitted May 2, 2014, where he expressed interest in operating the following routes that were authorized:

• Valencia – Bogota – Valencia 7 weekly
• Valencia – Medellin – Valencia 7 weekly
• Porlamar – Medellin – Porlamar 4 weekly
• Maracaibo – Medellin – Maracaibo 3 weekly

Meanwhile, routes to Bogota from the cities of Maracaibo and Porlamar that the airline requested were not approved due to capacity limitations at Bogotá’s El Dorado airport.

Viva Colombia (Fast Colombia, S.A.S.) requested last December 19 to operate the following routes, but was not given approval, though approval is expected when the company receives two new aircraft and has additional trained crew in place:

Bogotá – Yopal – Bogota 7 weekly

Bogota – Valledupar – Bogota 7 weekly

Bogota – Armenia – Bogotá 7 weekly

Cartagena – Armenia – Armenia 7 weekly

Medellin – Armenia – Medellin 7 weekly