Wingo, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings (NYSE: CPA), has announced the launch of two new direct international routes from Medellín to Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. With this expansion, the carrier becomes the only airline to operate these specific nonstop segments from José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, which serves the Antioquia region.

The new service increases Wingo’s international portfolio to 10 destinations from the city, complementing its existing network of five domestic routes. According to data provided by the airline, Medellín has become a primary operational base in Colombia. In 2025, approximately 35% of the carrier’s total passenger traffic, representing 1.2 million travelers, originated from or arrived in the city.

“Medellín is a strategic city for Wingo, and these two new routes reflect our confidence in the potential of the city and the response of travelers.” — Jorge Jiménez, Commercial and Planning Vice President of Wingo.

The Alcaldía de Medellín, through the Secretaría de Turismo y Entretenimiento and the Bureau de Medellín y Antioquia, coordinated with airport concessionaire Airplan to facilitate the new frequencies. The Medellín to Guatemala City route is scheduled to begin operations on June 25, 2026, with three weekly frequencies on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The airline expects to offer 30,000 seats annually on this route, with one-way fares starting at $108 USD, including taxes and fees.

The connection to Montego Bay is slated for a June 23, 2026, start date, also operating three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Introductory fares for the Jamaican destination are positioned at $159 USD per trayect. This move follows a 2025 pilot program where Jamaica was marketed as a high-interest destination for Colombian travelers.

Jorge Jiménez, Commercial and Planning Vice President at Wingo, stated that these routes reflect confidence in the potential of the city and the response of travelers to direct, low-cost international options. Ana María López Acosta, Secretary of Tourism and Entertainment, noted that the collaboration between the public and private sectors continues to project the city as an attractive destination for tourism and investment.

The expansion comes as the Aeropuerto Internacional José María Córdova continues to increase its capacity as a logistical platform for the country. Javier Benítez, Manager of the airport, indicated that the arrival of these routes reaffirms the facility’s potential to facilitate international business and connection for the region.

The new route will offer flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, providing a non-stop connection between Colombia’s capital and Guatemala City. This expansion facilitates access to a country known for its cultural, natural, and historical attractions.

The Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo (INGUAT), the government entity responsible for tourism, reported a significant increase in Colombian visitors. According to INGUAT, 39,000 Colombians visited Guatemala during the first half of 2025, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. In 2024, the country welcomed more than 58,000 Colombian visitors.

Lake Atitlán. Photo credit: Wingo.

Harris Whitbeck, director general of INGUAT, noted the importance of the Colombian market. “Colombia is one of our key source markets in South America. This new air connection will make it easier for more travelers to discover the natural, cultural, and culinary richness that Guatemala offers.”

Jorge Jiménez, commercial and planning vice president for Wingo, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings (NYSE: CPA), stated that the new route is aimed at expanding travel opportunities for Colombians.

The new service arrives in time for Guatemala’s primary tourism seasons, including the Festival of Giant Kites in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez in November, as well as the dry season, which runs from November to April. The flight is expected to have a duration of approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Parque Nacional. Photo credit: Wingo.

The inaugural flight took off on October 31, and the airline is now offering this route every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Overall, this represents 6,000 available seats each week between Colombia’s second-largest city and its Caribbean tourism jewel on the coast.

Wingo now operates eight routes from Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro. The airline’s other flights from Medellín fly to Bogotá, Panama City, Cancún, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Havana, and Aruba.

“This route represents great news for Medellín, as it means the return of the offer of low-cost flights to national beach destinations, such as Cartagena,” said Jorge Jiménez, commercial and planning vice president of Wingo, in an announcement.

“At Wingo we continue to be committed to Medellín, a city in which we have two of our aircraft based and which represents more than 20% of our operation.”

Of the roughly 65,000 seats being added, some 7,500, across 40 flights, will be headed to San Andrés, a Colombian island near the coast of Nicaragua that continues to be one of the most-in-demand getaway hotspots.

While seven of the nine affected routes are between domestic locations, there will also be 26 extra flights to Aruba from both Bogotá and Medellín, the nation’s two largest cities. This comes is in addition to the launch of Wingo’s new Cali-to-Aruba route that will begin flying in July.

“We’re increasing our operation in this mid-year holiday high season so that Colombians don’t have to give up their travel plans because of a shortage of low-cost route options,” said Jorge Jiménez, commercial and planning director at Wingo. “These 350 flights represent more pricing possibilities for thousands of travelers, as well as a new boost for the national tourism chain.”

Flights between Santo Domingo & Medellín begin March 28

This new route makes Wingo’s fourth international destination from Medellín, and its second to the Dominican Republic, connecting Medellín’s José Maria Córdova International Airport directly with Panama, Cancun, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.

“Medellín has always been a very important city for us, so we are proud to be the first airline to unite these two cities that have so much to offer, on a route that will contribute to the dynamization of tourism,” said Jorge Jiménez, Director of Sales, Marketing and Distribution of Wingo. “Travelers are eager to venture to new destinations and on our world-class route network we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to connecting Colombians directly and non-stop,” added Jiménez.

This new direct route begins operations on March 28, with 2 flights a week, Monday, and Thursday. Launch fares begin at $194 USD round-trip including fees and taxes, and with the ability for travelers to change the travel date up to 15 days before the flight without paying penalty.