The new route will be operated with an interline agreement with Mexican air carrier Viva Aerobus. Though Viva and Viva Aerobus are completely separate companies, both were backed by aviation venture capital firm Irelandia Aviation.

“Mexico is a key country in our international expansion plan. Today we are excited to launch this new direct route that will allow us to continue connecting passengers in both Mexico and Colombia with the rest of Latin America. Our interline agreement with Viva Aerobús has been key in the launch of this new Cartagena – Mexico route with which we have already adjusted four direct routes that connect both countries,” said Félix Antelo, CEO of Grupo Viva.

The new Cartagena – Mexico City route:

• Start of operations: Tuesday, May 4.
• Schedule Cartagena – Mexico City: 19:46 – 23:59
  • Weekly frequency: Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday.
• Schedule Mexico City – Cartagena:00:59 – 4:48
  • Weekly frequency: Wednesday – Friday – Sunday.
• Tickets Cartagena – Mexico: from USD 149
• Tickets Mexico -Cartagena: from USD 129

Other Viva routes Between Colombia & Mexico:

• Medellin – Mexico City (Daily Route)
• Medellín Cancun (Daily route).
• Bogotá – Mexico City – Daily codeshare route Viva Aerobús.
• Bogotá – Cancun -Daily route, codeshare Viva Aerobús.
• Cali – Mexico City, starting in March, three weekly frequencies
• Cali – Cancun, from March, three weekly frequencies

Viva (originally Viva Colombia) and Viva Aerobus are completely separate companies with similar names but different owners and independent management. Both share a common heritage in being backed and developed by Low-Cost Aviation pioneer Irelandia Aviation, of RyanAir fame.

The business model of these two airlines allows them to offer passengers economic options – Base Fare from Viva and Zero Fare from Viva Aerobus – and the possibility of customizing the flight by adding the additional services they require, thus paying only for what they need.

“What we are achieving is not only the first interline agreement between two Low-Cost airlines in the region; We are building the region, strengthening our presence in the market and contributing to economic dynamization. The two airlines ensure air inclusion and allow more and more people to have the opportunity to fly more, to more destinations, in this case between Colombia and Mexico,” said Félix Antelo, president and CEO of Viva.

The two airlines operate some of the most modern fleets in America, flying the Airbus A320. On one hand, Viva’s aircraft make up the youngest fleet in Colombia and the third in South America, while the Viva Aerobus fleet is positioned as the youngest in Mexico and the second in North America.

In a second phase of this agreement, both airlines will be able to mutually offer connecting flights that link their route portfolios. In this way, Colombian passengers will be able to access the entire network of Viva Aerobus destinations in Mexico and the United States, and Mexican travelers can take advantage of Viva flights in Colombia and Peru.

“Viva Aerobus has revolutionized the way of traveling by plane in Mexico, and with this agreement with Viva Air we will improve the offer of our flights to Bogotá, with great customer service, and more importantly offering the lowest prices since we operate an ultra-low-cost business model, always taking care of the economy of our passengers,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus.

Currently, Viva (www.vivair.com) operates 34 national routes in Colombia and Peru and 7 international routes to the United States, Peru and Mexico; while Viva Aerobus (www.vivaaerobus.com) offers more than 112 routes within Mexico and 31 international routes to the United States, Cuba and Colombia.

Below: Viva CEO Felix Antelo discusses the new pact between Colombia’s Viva and Mexico’s Viva Aerobus (in Spanish)