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.

Medellin’s Mayor Federico “Fico” Gutierrez

According to the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez has sent multiple formal communications since 2024 to the national immigration authority, Migración Colombia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería), urging them to increase staffing and operational capacity at the airport. To date, the national government has not provided a formal response to these requests.

A new letter was sent on July 21, 2025, again highlighting the city’s concern as it prepares for Colombiamoda 2025 and the Feria de las Flores (Festival of the Flowers). These two events are expected to draw tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists, placing further strain on the airport’s already overwhelmed immigration infrastructure.

The situation is critical given the region’s growing tourism sector, which saw over 1.8 million visitors in 2024. The city administration has stated that the current number of immigration officials is insufficient to handle the volume of travelers.

An immigration official with Migración Colombia but unauthorized to speak to the media on behalf of the immigration agency told FInance Colombia that the Petro administration refuses to authorize additional hires, meaning that there are no more than nine, and often as few as four immigration officers to handle both departures and arrivals.

As part of its proposal, the Medellín government has offered to provide resources to support processes such as the Biomig biometric registration system and to deploy personnel to guide travelers, particularly for services like passport claim processing. These measures are intended to create a more efficient and secure entry process in collaboration with the local tourism sector and business guilds.

José María Córdova International Airport is operated by the private concessionaire Airplan S.A.S., which has not issued a statement on the matter.

Headline photo:International Arrivals at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE/SKRG) outside of Medellín. Photo © Loren Moss

During the course of the proceedings, prosecutors demonstratied that the American, between May 2017 and May 2018, entered the country on seven occasions, through the José María Córdova airport, in Rionegro, a suburb of Medellín. It also became evident that during his trips he stayed in Medellín, located the girls and adolescents he had previously contacted; and, in exchange for money, induced them to perform sexual acts.

US and Colombian authorities working together

On September 5, 2018, the Medellín Section of the Attorney General’s Office received reports from the United States government that a computer in the capital of Antioquia was used to solicit sexual services from children and adolescents.

The information referred to conversations on Facebook and Messenger chat platforms, in which Renno offered up to $100 for girls under 18 years of age.

The man involved in the conversations was identified as Thomas Michael Renno who, according to the evidence collected, sought to evade action by the authorities with three different profiles (Tom Renno, Tom Rene and Tom Reinolds) that he also used to share photographs, videos and other types of pornographic material.

The process revealed that the Californian entered the country on seven occasions between May 9, 2017 and May 26, 2018. During this period, he allegedly committed illegal activities with girls and adolescents.

Capture

Renno, an American national carrying a cédula (national identification) issued by Colombian authorities, arrived last Thursday at the José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro (Antioquia), from San Francisco,California.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia warned Colombian counterparts that the man might visit Medellín between March 26 and 28, so investigators from the National Police’s DIJIN investigative branch waited for him at the airport and executed the arrest warrant obtained by the Prosecutor’s Office.

The timely intervention and coordination between Colombian and U.S. authorities prevented the physical and psychological harm to more minors, given that there is evidence of Renno’s prior contacts with hotels and tour operators that allegedly provided him with underage victims and offered him lodging.

The data provided was verified with the testimony of the mother of one of the young women contacted, who stated that the telephone number and location data of the American citizen appeared on her daughter’s cell phone. Added to this evidence were emails, messages and photographs found on the captured man’s phone.

Crimes

Thomas Michael Renno was brought before a judge in Medellín, where his capture was legalized, as were the elements obtained, and he was charged with the following crimes:

• Demand for commercial exploitation with a person under 18 years of age, aggravated (for being a tourist and involving minors).
• Pornography with persons under 18 years of age in homogeneous and successive concurrence.
• Use or facilitation of social media to offer sexual activities, aggravated in homogeneous and successive concurrence.

The man involved in the conversations was identified as Thomas Michael Renno who, according to the evidence collected, sought to evade action by the authorities with three different profiles (Tom Renno, Tom Rene and Tom Reinolds) that he also used to share photographs, videos and other types of pornographic material.

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In addition to JetSmart’s domestic operations, starting with three Airbus A320neo aircraft, the airline has already been flying international routes between Medellín, Lima Peru, and Santiago, Chile.

Travelers will be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts on domestic routes with tickets starting at $47,800 Colombian pesos (including fees and taxes) or about $13 US Dollars.

Jetsmart also announced Thursday that the airline’s Colombian base of operations will be at the José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia; a suburb of Medellín.  CEO Estuardo Ortíz (above photo, left) credited the work of the mayoral administrations of Medellín, Rionegro, the Governor of Antioquia, and Airport operations contractor Airplan.

“We believe, trust and invest in Colombia, and especially today we are committed to the region of Antioquia and its more than six and a half million inhabitants, to contribute to tourism, development and connectivity of all communities, just as we have already done with the 25 million people who have already flown with us throughout South America. We want the region to go out into the world, and for Antioquia, Medellín and the region to connect from the airport in Rionegro to more destinations and frequencies, both domestic and international. Our new operation in Colombia is an important step in our vision of 100 million passengers and 100 aircraft by 2028,” said Ortíz.

JetSmart launched a total of eight direct routes from Medellín to Santa Marta, Cartagena and Bogotá; and from Bogota, to Cartagena, Pereira, Santa Marta and Medellín, as well as from Cartagena to Pereira and Cali. These domestic routes are in addition to the seven international routes that JetSmart flies from Medellín to Chile and Peru, with connections to Argentina and Uruguay. Codeshare agreements will provide connectivity north to the United States through American Airlines, and JetSmart has announced coming participation to American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program.

JetSmart is part of the airline portfolio of U.S. investment fund Indigo Partners, along with airlines Frontier in the United States, WizzAir in Europe, Volaris in Mexico and Cebu Pacific in Asia.

Indigo Partners Principal Brian Franke (above photo, right) said that “We are looking forward to the start of JetSMART’s domestic operations in Colombia and continue to invest in the region to develop the ultra-low-cost model. We see tremendous growth potential in Colombia, and as we expand JetSmart we continue to provide affordable air travel to more people and communities.”

Operating Out Of Terminal 2 In Bogotá

Thursday morning, JetSmart celebrated its Colombian domestic launch with a press conference in the Puente Aereo, or Terminal 2 of Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport. Bogotá airport operator OPAIN renovated parts of Terminal 2 with new chairs and seating areas, installing Veripax technology for digital reading of boarding passes, and an exclusive area for VIP and official travelers. They also expanded the gate areas, remodeled the bathrooms, installed new floors and charging areas.

“We celebrate the start of JetSMART’s domestic operations in the country, as this strengthens the sector and boosts El Dorado’s position as the main hub for connection to the regions of Colombia. We have adapted Terminal 2 – the former Air Bridge, so that travelers can take their domestic flights in a more comfortable and agile way,”  said Natalí Leal, General Manager of OPAIN.

It is important that domestic passengers flying JetSmart from Bogotá keep in mind that flights leave from Terminal 2, while international flights still arrive and depart from the main terminal. There is a free shuttle that travels between the two airport terminals. Travelers must allow adequate time for transfers, and if necessary, immigration for international flights. Passengers arriving to El Dorado International Airport for domestic JetSmart flights should be explicit with transportation providers that they will be departing from Terminal 2 or “El Puente Aereo.”

Yesterday, Colombia’s primary civil aviation regulatory authority, Aerocivil, which is a unit under the country’s Ministry of Transportation, announced that it would not act on the pending merger between Viva and Avianca until it fully considers the rival proposals to acquire the low cost carrier by Chilean airlines Latam and Jetsmart, and also challenges to the merger by competing airlines Ultra Air (founded by Viva co-founder William Shaw), Aerolineas Argentinas, Copa Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary Wingo, and by Jorge Enrique Sanchez Medina, a law professor specializing in commercial competition.

“After delays of more than seven months by Aerocivil, Viva has presented abundant evidence to the Colombian government to show that Viva is in critical financial distress and that the only way it can continue to fly is for Aerocivil to allow Viva to become part of a larger, stronger and well capitalized airline group. Instead, today’s decision by Aerocivil puts into question the future of low-cost air service in Colombia and endangers the jobs of more than 5,000 Colombians, who directly and indirectly depend on Viva,” said Viva in a written statement.

“While operations are suspended, Viva will continue to pursue negotiations with creditors under its decree 560 PRE proceedings and work to preserve its ability to restart operations at a future date once Aerocivil approves the pending transaction,” the airline continued.

The challenges are based on the large concentration of domestic airport slots and routes the combined Viva and Avianca would control, which opponents say would lead to pre-2016 conditions when Avianca dominated domestic aviation in Colombia with no competition from low-cost carriers until Viva came along. Avianca proposes that it would maintain Viva as a separate company, and cede a significant number of slots to competitors, while pledging not to coordinate with Viva to reduce competition on routes both airlines fly.

Chilean legacy carrier Latam, and low-cost airline Jetsmart have issued competing offers for Viva, but as Avianca shareholders have already taken an economic stake in Viva, they are loath to see the airline acquired by a competitor.

Aerocivil has until the 19^th of April to issue a final ruling, while Viva says that it is out of time and out of money. The airline entered a voluntary 90-day reorganization process created under Colombian law, but nevertheless, aircraft lessors demanded the grounding of five aircraft last week, leaving the airline to accommodate passengers and reschedule routes. Viva says that these aircraft lessors have also met with the Colombian government to push for a speedy decision on behalf of the airline, warning that they will wait no longer for payment before taking action regarding the leased planes.

Aerocivil’s admittance of the competing airlines and the law professor as interested parties gives them a formal role in influencing a final decision by Aerocivil. Not only does this mean that Aerocivil will take more time to issue a decision, but a final ruling might not go in favor of Avianca.

For Avianca’s part, the airline issued a statement saying: “From the moment that the low cost [carrier’s] crisis materialized, Avianca publicly offered help and solicited the authority (Aerocivil) to fix mechanisms to effectively protect, under the applicable norms, the passengers, and the communities that would be affected by the loss of planes and the cancellation of Viva routes. To this date, Aerocivil has not emitted public directives for those air lines to offer said protection to passengers in a manner that secures compliance with applicable aviation and tributary law.”

Francisco Lalinde takes over as interim CEO of VIva

The airline continues: “One more time, Avianca reiterates its total disposition to find, together with the national government, viable and urgent alternatives that would facilitate objective scenarios to be part of the solution. The low-cost model is at risk in Colombia, thousands of job positions, hundreds of thousands of airline tickets, a dynamic aviation market, benefits for communities through the services and direct and indirect connections, the democratization of tourism, the loss of significant government resources because of the around $20 million USD in debt guaranteed by the Colombian state to Viva, and most importantly, the continued connectivity of regions that see in Aviation, a hope for development and social wellbeing.”

CEO resigns, COO promoted

Last week, days before operations suspended, Felix Antelo, who held the post of President and CEO resigned his post, and the board of directors promoted vice president and COO Francisco Lalinde to serve as interim CEO of Viva. Antelo announced his resignation in an internal letter to staff citing both personal reasons such as his health and the current conditions the airline is facing.

“In the name of the more than 1,000 Viva collaborators, we thank Félix for his leadership, vision, and above all, for being a clear example of the #VivaAttitude which is what makes us unique as an airline, company and team,” said Lalinde. “In my new role I will continue to do what Félix did in our name during the last five years: maintain open communications with our team, and assure that we give our all for Viva.”

See also: The Hunt For Viva – Making Sense Of The Players Competing To Acquire The Low Cost Carrier

The offer comes after Colombian government regulators initially rejected a Viva – Avianca merger, but later agreed to reconsider the deal. After the Colombian Ministry of Transportation and its subordinate civil aviation regulatory authority Aerocivil slowed the deal down, low-cost carrier Jetsmart submitted an offer, and now Latam.

“The Colombian subsidiary of the Latam group is prepared and has the capacity to strengthen its operations in the country. In this way, an eventual acquisition of Viva Air Colombia becomes a growth opportunity offering Colombian consumers the best value offer in the local market in terms of service, and the country new alternatives for strengthening its connectivity and the development of tourism,” said Latam in a statement shared with Finance Colombia.

“Latam Airlines Colombia has been operating in the Colombian market for 11 years, and in its trajectory, it has had a constant concern to invest in the Colombian market. For this reason, we believe that this potential operation would be the best option to strengthen the conditions of free competition, as well as to offer the necessary support that will allow us to respond to the financial situation of Viva Air Colombia and its creditors, which will result in the strengthening of the Colombian airline industry.”

Based on passenger volume, Latam is almost eight times as large as Viva, with a route network that extends throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Europe. This new twist further weakens Avianca’s position in line to purchase Viva, as the Colombian government initially opposed the tie up because the combined company would dominate the Colombian domestic travel market. Avianca, due to a dismal service record, has also garnered plenty of enemies even in Colombian government.

Viva is run by CEO Felix Antelo

Friends and allies

Viva is currently an independent airline, run by former Latam executive Felix Antelo. It was backed by airline venture capitalist Declan Ryan’s Irelandia Aviation. Ryan’s father, aviation legend Tony Ryan established European low cost airline Ryanair, but Declan Ryan is no longer involved in Ryanair, choosing instead to develop low-cost airlines across the globe, including Viva Aerobus in México, Allegiant in the US, Tiger Air in Singapore (now merged with Scoot, a unit of Singapore Airlines), and of course Viva. Viva has no relationship with Ryanair, and is not affiliated with Viva Aerobus in México, but has done some limited codesharing agreements in the past with the latter. Declan Ryan last year joined the board of Avianca after Avianca announced its intention to acquire Viva and form, along with Brazilian airline Gol, a South American airline group called Abra.

Latam is backed by both Delta Airlines and Qatar airways, Delta snatching an alliance with Latam away from American Airlines in 2019. American Airlines now backs Jetsmart with a minority investment, though the two airlines have distinct operating models. American Airlines, like Qatar, Latam and Delta are legacy airlines, while Jetsmart, like Viva, is a low-cost carrier.

In the case of Avianca, United Airlines ended up with a significant stake in the airline after former chairman Germán Efromovich defaulted on a $400 million USD loan collateralized by Efromovich’s shares in Avianca. United Airlines ended up appointing Efromovich’s business nemesis, Roberto Kriete as chairman, a post he still holds.

Viva’s growth in market share over the past several years has come largely at the expense of Avianca, though Viva is quick to point out that with its ultra-low-cost model, it competes as much with the country’s terrestrial bus lines as it does with other airlines.  A merger with Viva would create a competitive fortress in Colombia, especially if the merged airline is not forced to surrender routes or gates at congested Colombian airports such as Bogotá’s El Dorado, or Medellín’s José María Córdova international airport.

On the other hand, a Viva merger with a deep pocketed partner that does not currently have a comprehensive domestic route network—Jetsmart, Latam, or perhaps Copa subsidiary Wingo—would be potentially disastrous  for Avianca; an airline that recently doesn’t seem sure what it wants to be, as the post-bankruptcy legacy carrier more and more mimics Viva’s low-cost, a-la-carte passenger offering. So far, neither Panamá-based Copa nor its Colombian low-cost subsidiary Wingo have expressed interest in Viva.

Expect more of the unexpected as this aviation drama plays out. Will the victorious suitor absorb Viva, or keep it as a separate, subsidiary operation? Will the Colombian government rule in favor of original suitor Avianca? In their original negative ruling, they said that Viva had not sufficiently shopped for savior investors, and that the merger would be anti-competitive and bad for Colombian travelers. Or will regulators rule in favor of Avianca by virtue of it being first in line chronologically?

Be sure to share your own comments and opinion in the comments section below!

Colombia’s civil aviation authority, Aeronáutica Civil (Aerocivil), Reports that a 12-seat Cessna Citation X with a US registration N156VP left the runway as it landed, arriving on a flight from Panamá. According to airport operating concession Airplan, there were no injuries. 7 flights had to be canceled, 5 were rerouted, and 24 were delayed. The airport reopened at approximately 3:25pm.

According to the airport, due to the aviation incident, even though there was no damage to the airport or injuries, flight operations could not resume until clearance was received from Aerocivil in Bogotá.

The type of aircraft involved is a private jet used for private or charter operations and is not an aircraft operated by airlines.

Photo: Torre El Dorado (Twitter)

Up until the announcement, the airline, which has a codeshare agreement with Colombia’s Viva, flew flights between Medellín and both Cancún and México City.  Airport officials said in a statement that they lament the situation, and hope to welcome Viva Aerobus back one day.

Viva Aerobus said that passengers affected by the move should contact the airline by dialing 01 800 518-9402 (Colombia) or via the web at: https://www/vivaaerobus.com/es-mx/info/sobre-nosotros/contacto .

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.

No commercial flights will operate for 2 stretches of 36 straight hours to perform runway maintenance.

The airport closure is necessary, says Airplan’s Ana Lucía Pérez Mesa, in order to perform runway maintenance and repairs, and the shutdown has been coordinated with the commercial passenger and freight carriers that use the airport.

“As part of the Airplan maintenance program, periodic measurements are undertaken to ascertain the runway pavement condition. Based on recent measurements, actions are necessary to guarantee the maximum useful life and operational safety (of the runway). After carrying out some measurements, we determined that the runway should be [repaired] in two areas in order to restore optimal conditions and extend the runway’s remaining lifespan,” said airport manager Fredy Jaramillo Giraldo.

• ·        First closing: Saturday, February 19 from 2 a.m. m. until Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. m. (36 hours).
• ·        Second closing: Saturday, February 26 from 2 a.m. m. until Sunday February 27 at 2 pm (36 hours).

The work to be done requires extended periods of time to guarantee quality, so will take place over two consecutive weekends for a total of 72 hours of closure.

“We are aware of the discomfort and inconvenience that these works generate in the public, so we reiterate that they are necessary to ensure safety of everyone, and together with the airlines and authorities, all options were pursued so that airport operation is impacted as little as possible,” added Giraldo.

Also read: “Bla Bla Bla!” Avianca Denounced By Colombia’s Vice President, Celebrities For Turning Its Back On Passengers

Above photo: A General Dynamics F-16 belonging to the US Air Force Thunderbirds takes off from Medellín’s International Airport  during the 2019 semi-annual F-AIR air show (photo © Loren Moss)