A total of 3,231 candidates will compete for seats in Colombia’s congress in the legislative elections scheduled for March 8, according to the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil (RNEC), the authority responsible for organizing the country’s electoral processes. In total, 102 senators and 182 members of the House of Representatives will be elected.

According to the electoral authority, 1,124 candidates registered for the Senate and 2,107 for the House of Representatives, the two chambers that make up Colombia’s congress.

As the political analysis website Razón Pública explains, Colombia’s electoral system is based on proportional representation, which seeks to reflect the diversity of political opinions within society in the composition of Congress. For the Senate, or upper chamber, voters may cast their ballots for candidates anywhere in the country, as it operates under a national constituency. In contrast, the House of Representatives, or lower chamber, is elected through territorial constituencies by departments, including Bogotá as the Capital District.

According to the RNEC, 41,287,084 citizens are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, a key figure because it influences how seats are allocated.

Senate elections

In this election, 102 senators will be chosen by popular vote. According to the Senate’s official website, 100 will be elected through a nationwide constituency and the remaining two seats are reserved for indigenous communities, a special constituency established by the 1991 Constitution to guarantee political representation for these groups.

Voters must choose between receiving the national ballot or the Indigenous constituency ballot, but they cannot vote in both.

House of Representatives elections

For the House of Representatives, 182 members will be elected, distributed as follows:

• Territorial constituencies: 161 seats allocated to departments and the Capital District of Bogotá.
• Special Transitional Peace Constituencies: 16 seats reserved for victims of the armed conflict, created by the Acto Legislativo 02 of 2021.
• Afro-descendant communities: 2 seats.
• Indigenous communities: 1 seat.
• Community of San Andrés (Raizal): 1 seat.
• Colombians living abroad: 1 seat.

Unlike the Senate, each department receives a specific number of seats based on its population, creating regional electoral dynamics in which local political leadership often plays a key role. In practice, more populous departments hold greater representation than smaller ones.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives receive one additional seat after the presidential election, allocated to the candidate who obtains the second-highest number of votes.

How seats are allocated

Colombia’s electoral system is regulated by the Acto Legislativo 001 of 2003 and the Electoral Law, and operates under principles of proportional representation.

First, the valid votes obtained by each party list are counted. Only those lists that surpass a 3% threshold of total valid votes are eligible to participate in the distribution of seats. In the 2022 legislative elections, this threshold exceeded 509,000 votes.

According to projections by the Misión de Observación Electoral (MOE), the threshold for the Senate in the upcoming elections could reach around 600,000 votes.

This threshold is crucial because if, for example, a candidate obtains 450,000 votes but their party fails to pass the threshold, neither the candidate nor the party will secure a seat in Congress.

Among the lists that surpass the threshold, seats are distributed using the D’Hondt method, known in Colombia as the cifra repartidora, which allocates seats proportionally according to the number of votes obtained. In 2022, the seat-allocation quotient was 144,013 votes.

For the House of Representatives, the process is more complex because the threshold and D’Hondt method are applied separately within each department, producing different results across regions.

With closed lists, voters select only the political party or list as a whole, without choosing an individual candidate.

Open and closed lists

Under the Acto Legislativo 1 of 2003, political parties may register open lists or closed lists. With open lists, voters select a specific candidate within a party’s list. The vote counts both for the political party and for the individual candidate. Seats obtained by the party are then assigned to the candidates who received the highest number of votes, regardless of their initial position on the list.

With closed lists, voters select only the political party or list as a whole, without choosing an individual candidate. Seats are then allocated according to the order predetermined and registered at the start of the campaign by the party.

In the upcoming elections, two of Colombia’s most prominent political forces will present closed lists: the Pacto Histórico, the coalition led by current President Gustavo Petro, and the Centro Democrático, the right-wing party founded by former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez.

Photo courtesy of the National Civil Registry of Colombia,

According to data from Migración Colombia, analyzed by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT), Colombia saw 367,585 non-resident foreign visitors in June 2025. This figure marks a 2.1% increase compared to the 359,923 arrivals in June 2024 and a more substantial 12.2% rise from June 2023.

The United States remains the largest source of visitors, accounting for 31% of all arrivals. The government also highlighted significant year-over-year growth from other key markets in June, with a 23% increase in visitors from Brazil, 19% from Spain, and 11.6% from Mexico.

Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport remains the primary port of entry, receiving 37.2% of international visitors. Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport followed with 26%, and Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport accounted for 16.7%.

Despite a slight 1.9% decrease in overall air traffic in May 2025, international air travel grew by 5.8% compared to the same month in the previous year. Between January and May 2025, Colombian airports handled 22.3 million passengers, with 9.7 million on international flights, representing a 2.3% increase over the same period in 2024.

The hotel sector has also shown modest gains. According to the national statistics agency, DANE, hotel occupancy reached 47.3% in May 2025, a slight increase of 0.7 percentage points from May 2024. Bogotá led with a 58.7% occupancy rate, followed by San Andrés at 57.3% and Cartagena at 56.6%.

Infrastructure Under Strain

The celebratory tone of the government’s announcement is at odds with the reality on the ground at the nation’s key airports. As reported by Finance Colombia, the national government’s failure to adequately staff and resource Migración Colombia is leading to critical bottlenecks and processing delays of several hours for both arriving and departing passengers. This issue has become particularly acute at Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport, which serves the country’s second-largest city and a major tourist hub. Read the full Finance Colombia article here: Medellín’s Mayor Says Colombian Government Ignoring Offers to Help Solve Overcrowding at International Airport.

These operational failures have prompted sharp criticism from prominent public figures, who warn that the country’s image and economic potential are being undermined.

Former Vice President Sounds Alarm Over Airport Crisis

In a strongly worded letter dated July 31, 2025, former Vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marta Lucía Ramírez, addressed the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aeronáutica Civil (the Civil Aeronautics authority), and Migración Colombia, calling for urgent measures to address the “inefficiency, illegality, and discrimination in the immigration processes” at José María Córdova International Airport.

Former vice president Marta Lucía Ramírez. Photo: Twitter.

Ramírez highlighted that extensive queues and “unjustified delays” during the recent ColombiaModa fashion event created “operational trauma” and negatively impacted travelers’ experiences. She expressed deep concern that with Medellín’s world-renowned Feria de las Flores (Festival of the Flowers) approaching, a cornerstone of the region’s tourism calendar, the situation threatens the economic dynamism of the entire department of Antioquia.

The former Vice President’s letter underscores that as a member state of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Colombia is obligated to provide agile, secure, and efficient immigration processes without discrimination. She pointed out the irony of the government’s efficient BIOMIG system for Colombian citizens, which, while commendable, creates a choke point for international tourists who are not eligible to use it.

Ramírez called for an immediate increase in immigration personnel, the implementation of new technologies to expedite passenger flow, and a guarantee of dignified and timely service for all visitors. She also noted that her call for more staffing comes as the immigration authority has recently seen two increases to its personnel roster.

The letter concludes with a warning that the persistent issues could be perceived as a “deliberate policy of the National Government to harm Antioquia,” a perception that she argues could damage institutional cohesion. The letter was also copied to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Ministry of Transportation, the Governor of Antioquia, and the Mayor of Medellín.

Below is the full (translated) text of former Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez’s letter:

Marta Lucía Ramírez de Rincón, Bogotá, July 31, 2025

To: Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy, minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Colombia

Brigadier General (r) José Henry Pinto Rodríguez, general director of the Civil Aeronautics Authority

Gloria Esperanza Arriero López, general director of Migración Colombia

Subject: Urgent request for measures to guarantee efficiency, legality, and non-discrimination in the immigration processes at José María Córdova International Airport for any flight arriving from abroad.

Copied to: Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, minister of commerce, industry, and tourism

María Fernanda Rojas, minister of transportation

Andrés Julián Rendón Cardona, governor of the Department of Antioquia

Federico Andrés Gutiérrez Zuluaga, mayor of Medellín

With the proximity of the Feria de las Flores, an emblematic event of the Paisa culture and great relevance for national and international tourism, I respectfully address Migración Colombia and the competent authorities to express our deep concern about the current conditions of the immigration process at the José María Córdova International Airport.

In recent weeks, extensive queues and unjustified delays have been reported, which affected attendance at ColombiaModa with multiple situations of delay, passenger discrimination, and inefficiency, evidencing the operational trauma in immigration controls.

This situation directly affects the experience of travelers, deteriorates the country’s image, and puts at risk the economic dynamism generated by tourism and business in Antioquia, a department that, like all others, needs and deserves the support of all institutions belonging to the national government, especially when it is the second source of tax revenue for the Nation.

As a member state of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Colombia is committed to complying with the international standards established in the Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed in Chicago in 1944 and approved by Law 12 of 1947. These standards recommend that States guarantee agile, safe, and efficient immigration processes without any discrimination between foreigners and nationals arriving on flights from abroad, which must be anticipated and resolved, especially at airports with high passenger traffic.

Likewise, Decree 1294 of 2021 establishes that the Civil Aeronautics Authority must adjust its operation to ICAO procedures to ensure safe, efficient, and responsible civil aviation. Law 336 of 1996, in its article 2, states that the protection of users is an essential priority of the transportation system, and article 68 recognizes air transport as an essential public service. Additionally, Article 9 of Law 105 of 1993 underscores the obligation of authorities to guarantee efficiency and quality in the provision of public services, which includes immigration processes at international airports.

In this context, it is important to highlight that the BIOMIG system has proven to be an efficient and agile tool for the immigration control of previously registered Colombian citizens. Its operation has been exemplary and represents a model of modernization that must be maintained, promoted, and reinforced. However, by not being available to international tourists, a bottleneck is created in the lines intended for foreigners, which aggravates congestion and negatively affects the perception of the country as a pleasant tourist destination.

Therefore, we make an urgent call to Migración Colombia to:

• • • Reinforce its operation at the Rionegro airport by increasing personnel at immigration control points. Taking into account, among other things, that this institution has been the subject of two recent increases in its staff.
    • Implement technologies that speed up the flow of international passengers, including, among others, expanding and promoting the use of systems such as BIOMIG for nationals and exploring similar alternatives for frequent foreign travelers.
    • Guarantee efficient, dignified, and timely attention for all visitors, without distinction of nationality.

It is essential to prevent this situation from being interpreted as part of a deliberate policy of the National Government to harm Antioquia, a perception that could affect institutional cohesion and the complementarity between the different state institutions, as provided by the national constitution.

We trust in the commitment of the authorities to ensure that Colombia continues to be a welcoming, competitive, and respectful destination of international standards.

Sincerely,

Marta Lucía Ramírez de Rincón, former vice president of the Republic of Colombia, former minister of foreign affairs, former minister of foreign trade

Cartagena’s Rafael Nuñez International Airport is stretched beyond capacity, with passengers lacking adequate seating. Photo credit: Loren Moss.

“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.

According to data from Migración Colombia, the main destination departments for international visitors were: Bogotá, 34.84%; Antioquia, 25.65%; Bolívar, 20.56%; Valle del Cauca, 4.71%; and San Andrés and Providencia, 3.35%.

Other departments such as Atlántico, Magdalena, Norte de Santander, Risaralda and Santander also showed a prominent participation in the flow of travelers.

Connectivity and hotel occupancy rate

In terms of air connectivity, during April 2025, 4.36 million passengers were mobilized on scheduled flights, which represents a growth of 3.1% compared to April 2024 and 27% more than in April 2023. In the same month, the number of arrivals on international flights increased by 10.6% compared to the previous year.

In the cumulative period from January to April 2025, 17.98 million passengers were mobilized, registering an increase of 3.4% compared to 2024 and 21.4% compared to 2023. International arrivals in that period also grew by 8.8%.

According to Colombian statistics agency DANE figures, the occupancy rate in tourist accommodation for April 2025 was 46.8%, a behavior similar to that recorded in the same month of the previous year, which reflects a sustained recovery of the sector.

The Colombian government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, states that it has prioritized the strengthening of tourism as an engine of economic development, social inclusion and international projection. Through ProColombia, MinCIT has approved international promotion actions worth more than $188.376 million USD, aimed at consolidating Colombia’s image as a reliable and attractive destination.

Plaza Bolivar in Bogotá, Colombia. Photo credit: Makalu from Pixabay.

“Sustainable tourism is a powerful tool for transformation in the territories, generating opportunities and conditions for peace. For this reason, Switzerland supports this chain in Colombia, a country with extraordinary natural and cultural wealth,” said the Swiss ambassador, Eric Mayoraz.

The program impacts 13 destinations in the departments of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira, Sucre, Cundinamarca, Quindío, Casanare, Antioquia, Huila, Putumayo, Meta, Boyacá, Guaviare and Caquetá, promoting the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. To date, the achievements have been significant: more than 1,000 jobs generated and retained in four key destinations (Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, and Quindío), 357 companies with an 81% increase in revenues, and a 400% increase in tourist spending in these territories.

In environmental management, 80 companies have adopted good practices, and 55 people have been trained in methodologies for competitive and sustainable destinations, consolidating an innovative model of cooperation and development. “Swisscontact strengthens tourism in Colombia with a market approach, ensuring that destinations develop an offer aligned with demand and access tools and knowledge that position them as benchmarks in sustainability and competitiveness,” said Claudia Sepúlveda, general coordinator of the Colombia Más Competitiva program.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, in 2024, Colombia received approximately 6.7 million tourists, 8.5% more than the previous year. A growing percentage of these visitors are looking for ecotourism and responsible tourism experiences, which represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of destinations and incorporate sustainability criteria.

“Tourism in Colombia not only depends on its natural wealth, but also on its ability to generate value in the markets. We are promoting the necessary conditions for regions to transform their potential into real opportunities for growth and international projection,” concluded Enrique Maruri, director of Swisscontact Colombia.
Swisscontact at ANATO 2025: sharing experiences and learnings.

In the ANATO 2025 Tourism Showcase, the Colombia Más Competitiva program will present its main learnings together with local partners, who will share the impact of Swiss cooperation in their territories. One of the most relevant milestones is the strengthening of the Network of Destination Managers, whose official presentation will take place in April.

As part of ANATO’s academic program, Swisscontact, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Marta and Magdalena, organized the panel “Territorial perspectives in the competitive management of sustainable tourism” at the stand of Magdalena, a special guest destination in 2025. Entrepreneurs and members of the Network of Managers will discuss governance, sustainability, and product development.

Swisscontact’s destination management methodology has articulated the private sector around the creation and marketing of highly competitive tourism experiences. As a result, nature and culture products have been developed, such as the Safari Llanero in Casanare, Macondo Natural in Magdalena, and San Agustín Enigmático in Huila, among others. In addition, entrepreneurs and managers have received support to implement strategies aligned with the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

This impact has been possible thanks to public-private articulation at the local, regional, and national levels. Swisscontact has promoted the creation of networks, cluster strategies, and territorial governance models, making progress in destinations such as La Guajira, Quindío, Choachí-Ubaque in Cundinamarca and Atlántico. In addition, it will facilitate an exchange between representatives of the 13 destinations of the Network of Managers to identify trends and improve the marketing of tourism products.

According to Enrique Maruri, director of Swisscontact Colombia, “Nature tourism is one of the great bets of Swiss cooperation in Colombia, and we believe in its potential to promote sustainable development. At Swisscontact, we continue to work on the structuring of collective management models that strengthen tourism products and services, always in partnership with the private sector. Our goal is to consolidate ourselves as a benchmark in consulting for the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism in the country.”

For Swisscontact, it is also key to continue strengthening responsible tourism through innovative methodologies and strategic alliances with actors such as the GSTC, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT), the National Tourism Fund (FONTUR), the Colombian Association of Responsible Tourism (ACOTUR) and Chambers of Commerce throughout the country, said Enrique.

Photo credit: ANATO.

Finance Colombia was present during Vitrina Turistica 2025, the huge travel industry trade show put on in Bogotá by ANATO, the travel industry trade organization. During a presentation given by JetSmart executives outlining the airline’s growth and plans for Colombia, Finance Colombia Executive Editor Loren Moss was able to ask a few questions of  Chief Commercial Officer Victor Mejia. Colombia Country Manager Mario Garcia was also on hand. By clicking above, the reader can hear the original interview in Spanish.

Finance Colombia: Victor, very kind of you. Thank you for weighing in on this. My question is, I saw that when purchasing my ticket to fly here, I could now put my American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program number into my JetSmart reservation. How has that reception been? And taking into account your alliance with American Airlines since you are growing internationally, can you grow to North America and more destinations in the Caribbean? Or would the strategy be to leave that to your partners and connect through them?

Victor Mejia: No, thank you for the question. Look, the truth is that to offer AAdvantage, AAdvantage miles for all JetSMART travelers so that they can accumulate them by buying tickets and continue flying with us, and then use their miles to redeem all the options that American Airlines has to visit in the world, it is a great benefit. We are very proud of being able to share and offer it to our travelers. So, we invite everyone to enter their AAdvantage number every time they buy a ticket on JetSMART, so they can receive the benefits of flying.

We will continue to expand our airline, mainly in Colombia; like the news we just saw, our Cali-San Andres flight. And we will continue to look for the opportunity to bring in air connectivity. American Airlines is our partner, we are there supporting each other through code share flights, and we will be bringing that to Colombia in the future. So no, definitely the options to provide international connectivity, either directly or through our alliance with American Airlines, will continue to be there.

Finance Colombia: And the importance of having Indigo Partners as an investor?

Victor Mejia: Yes well, Indigo Partners is our airline’s founding partner, they have more than 20 years of experience with the low-cost model around the world, and they are very tied to and very involved with the airline. We work hand in hand in all the management with Indigo. They also help us view the global perspective of aviation. And in the part of fleet acquisitions, which is why we can have the newest fleet in South America, we were recently recognized for that again, and continue to receive brand-new aircraft from the factory, Airbus A320 and A321. Those are some of the strengths of belonging to the Indigo Partners group.

JetSMART discusses the airline’s growth in Colombia

Ana: JetSMART’s commitment to connectivity and tourism in Colombia is undeniable. We are in this 44th edition of the ANATO Vitrina Turística 2025, which is the most important event of the sector in the country, and the best venue to deliver great news. Since it arrived in Colombia in March of last year, JetSMART has revolutionized the way Colombians travel, Smart model, with its ultra-low-cost model, where passengers pay only for what they need. Connecting more cities, facilitating access to flights through very low fares. Today it continues to expand its presence in the country, giving more Colombians the opportunity to fly in an affordable, efficient way and with the most modern fleet in South America, the youngest.

Today we will share with all of you the airline’s progress in Colombia, we will do a presentation, and so I invite Victor Mejia, JetSMART’s Chief Commercial Officer to provide all this information. So of course once again, we welcome Victor. Go ahead.

“And we have been serving the Colombian market since March of 2024. Yes, we have six international routes from Colombia.” – Victor Mejia

Victor Mejia: Thank you, Ana. Good morning everyone. It is a pleasure to be here again at Anato, sharing with you -there are some familiar faces from last year as well- the JetSMART news. This year we are also bringing good news, and we wanted to take advantage of the Vitrina Turística de Anato, what better place to do it, than to tell you how we did in this first year of operation? But also to bring good news, so I hope it will be to everyone’s liking. For those of you who we haven’t had the pleasure of knowing, or have not had the opportunity to get to know JetSMART, let me tell you a little bit about our airline.

JetSMART is owned by the Indigo Partners investment fund, a private investment fund based in Phoenix, Arizona, which has airlines all over the world in the ultra-low-cost model. One of these airlines, which may be familiar to you, is Volaris in Mexico, which is the number 1 or 2 airline in Mexico. You also have Frontier in the United States, there is also the Wizz Air airline in Europe, and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines, and for South America we took on the task of founding JetSMART, in 2016. The company started flying in July 2017, and since then we have been serving different countries in Latin America. And now we are going to tell you a little bit about how we’ve been expanding. So a bit like I was saying before, with the Indigo Partners group that has more than 20 years of experience in ultra-low-cost airlines around the world.

Also our mission; well we came here because we want to connect 100 million people. So far we are already 35, we are getting there, moving forward in the middle of a pandemic also, which was challenging for the whole sector, for all sectors I think. But well, for the aviation sector, it was especially challenging. But we are on that path, and as part of that path, we have opened operations in different countries in South America with our Smart model. It is an ultra-low-cost model that has been the fastest growing in the world in recent years; in Europe, it is already very mature, and in the United States as well. In South America, we have already been in different countries for several years with the low-cost model, which is very well known in Colombia.

There were important changes in the sector, we saw the opportunity, and that is why we are here, to serve by bringing back the low-cost model to Colombia. Our models, new airplanes, we are going to talk a little bit more about that. Our prices, as well, are low, so that people can travel a lot, can select what they want to customize in their trip, and what they want to pay for. Because the ticket they are going to buy with JetSMART, the lowest fare possible, is going to allow them to travel from point A to point B, and the passenger can customize their trip, choosing if they want luggage if they want a specific seat. It is a model that is a bit more transparent as well, that allows the passenger to not pay for what they do not need.

In our strategy, we also try to have routes, what we call Smart routes, which are routes that do not necessarily go to the big hubs that exist in the different countries, but that connect point-to-point cities that need air transportation, and that are not being served. So we have been adding routes between cities that did not normally have an air connectivity service. As for our fleet, well, in the year 2028, we will be reaching 124 aircraft. We currently have 44 aircraft in operation. The request was made in a historic aircraft order that we have made hand in hand with Indigo Partners and the other airlines of the group. They are already committed, they are already signed and purchased, so it is the most prominent aircraft reception process we have, and in permanent growth.

We have aircraft of the Airbus A320 and A321 family. Of A320 we have the A320neo fleet, and of A321 also neo, which is the most efficient aircraft available to date. We are the first operator in South America to have this type of aircraft. The interior of our aircraft they are brand new, they are efficient, with E-Leather seat technology, which is very comfortable and light. Part of our model is to be very cost-efficient to translate that cost-efficiency into pricing for consumers. We are committed to sustainability; our aircraft represent the diversity of the region; each aircraft has its own identity, an animal from the different countries where we operate. We work with different environmental conservation entities in different countries, and we are bringing that identity to the tails of the airplanes.

We are very proud to share with you a piece of news, a scoop from a couple of days ago, and that is that once again Ch-Aviation, which is an aviation institute that evaluates all the fleets around the world, has recognized and verified that we have the newest airplane fleet in South America, once again for the year 2025. This is a product of the fact that, as I shared with you before, we are constantly receiving new aircraft from the Airbus factory, so this is going to be something that we believe we will be maintaining for some time because these aircraft will continue to arrive every year.

Also one of our partners, a minority shareholder of the company but also a commercial ally, is American Airlines. We have a very broad commercial alliance that involves code-share flights, which we do not have in Colombia yet, but they will come and we will be sharing them with you as soon as they do. But we do have them in other countries in South America. Also, the frequent flyer program, AAdvantage, in which today, AAdvantage frequent flyer program members can earn miles when they buy tickets on JetSMART, and fly with JetSMART. And you can redeem those miles in America and fly all over the world. So it’s a very, very important partner.

As I was sharing with you, in 2017 we started flying, and we took on the task of bringing air connectivity to all of South America. Currently, we serve South America with 81 routes, we serve 8 countries, and we have domestic operations in 4 countries. The first one we started in Chile in 2017, later we went to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and we have served the entire Argentine domestic since 2019. Later in the pandemic, since we were all cooped up at home, we got creative and decided to open in Peru, so we started operating in Peru. And last year, finally, with great pleasure for many of us who have a past linked to Colombia, we arrived in Colombia.

And we have been serving the Colombian market since March of 2024. Yes, we have six international routes from Colombia. And for this, we are going to talk a little bit more about our arrival in Colombia and how we have been doing so far, what we have been up to this last year, so I want to pass the floor to Mario Garcia, our Country Manager here at JetSMART in Colombia. So, Mario, the microphone is yours.

Mario Garcia: Good morning. I’m very pleased to be here and with a full house. I would like to tell you a bit, after what Victor explained to us, about what has been done throughout South America, and what we have done in Colombia. In Colombia, out of those 44 airplanes, we have 8 airplanes operating, 320, and we have these six international routes. We connect Cartagena, Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, with Santiago, Lima and Antofagasta. It has been a very fluid and year-round operation. And now to talk a bit about domestic flights. We started operating on March 14 of last year, and we already have, with what we are going to announce now, 19 domestic routes; we serve 10 cities; last year we flew two and a half million people; we had close to 14,000 operations; 14,000 take-offs in 9 months.

That incorporation of airplanes was practically one airplane per month, a very accelerated growth, and in order to bring airplanes and air travel closer to Colombia. Today we have one of the highest per capita flight averages in the region; 0.8 flights per person, and we want to be a support for more Colombians to fly and get closer to airplanes. Since we have been flying, 38% of passengers have flown in a plane for the first time with us.

On connectivity with the San Andrés Archipelago

Audience member: I would also like to ask you, we know that yesterday you met with (San Andrés & {Profidencia) Governor Nicolas Gallardo. What other things could you anticipate for us (from the San Andrés Archipelago)? What other, let’s say, destinations are also being explored to connect San Andres, both nationally and internationally? Thank you.

Victor Mejia: Thank you for your questions. We are very pleased with the performance of this Medellín -San Andres route. We had a very good reception from the public, not only in Medellín, but we also made international connectivity. The idea is that both from Medellín and from the new route we are announcing now, Cali-San Andres, there will be international connectivity. To Cali, we fly Santiago-Cali and Antofagasta-Cali. We are the only ones flying those direct flights to the city of Cali, and the idea is to also use this as a connection point to the San Andres island. Our purpose for the time being is to continue gathering more opportunities.

Hopefully, we can turn these four frequencies into more, if we have the reception we expect from the public, and through that, we can make the flight to the island from different points more viable. So let’s continue working hand in hand, it is truly a pleasure to receive the support of both the local media and the government, and with all the actors and tour operators of the island. We will be bringing you international connectivity through the two points of  Medellín and Cali.

This development positions Avianca as the sole airline providing direct flights between Bogotá and Quibdó. The airline’s domestic network now spans 40 routes, reaching destinations from San Andrés in the north to Leticia in the south, and from Quibdó in the west to Arauca in the east.

The flight schedule is as follows:

Bogotá to Quibdó: Flight AV8478 departs at 9:45 a.m., arriving at 10:50 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Quibdó to Bogotá: Flight AV8477 departs at 12:33 p.m., arriving at 1:25 p.m. on the same day.

Tickets are available for purchase through Avianca’s official channels, including their website, mobile application, physical sales points, and authorized travel agencies.

In addition to expanding its route network, Avianca emphasizes its commitment to social responsibility by supporting organizations that provide medical and humanitarian assistance in underserved regions. The airline’s operations in areas like Chocó and Arauca aim to facilitate access to essential services and contribute to regional development.

This new route is part of Avianca’s broader strategy to enhance connectivity within Colombia, offering increased travel options for both residents and visitors.

Excluding Venezuelan nationals, foreign visitor numbers grew by 10.9%, reaching 3,157,951 compared to 2,847,393 over the same timeframe in 2023. Returning Colombian residents also increased, with 1,264,145 arrivals, a rise from 1,149,097 in 2023.

The United States continues to be the primary source of foreign visitors, accounting for 27.1% of international arrivals, followed by Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

Regional Destinations

Bogotá remains the leading destination for international visitors, attracting 37.4% of total non-resident arrivals from January to September 2024. Other popular regions include Antioquia, Bolívar, and Valle del Cauca.

In September alone, Colombia saw 338,098 non-resident foreign visitors, representing an 8.3% increase from the 312,056 arrivals in September 2023.

Government Initiatives and Minister’s Statement

Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Luis Carlos Reyes Hernández, commented on the country’s strategy to strengthen non-traditional destinations through community-based tourism projects. “The government’s efforts are drawing international visitors interested not only in our biodiversity and cuisine but in cultural and peace-centered experiences throughout the regions,” he said, emphasizing the country’s aim to lead in inclusive and sustainable tourism development.

Air Travel Connectivity and Passenger Movement

Air travel data from Aerocivil underscores the growth in passenger movement, with 36.5 million air passengers between January and August 2024, marking a 16.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Of this total, 21,396,807 passengers traveled on domestic flights, while 15,127,233 were on international flights.

Domestic air travel saw a 13.7% rise, while international travel increased by 16.3% over the period. Pereira reported the largest growth in domestic passenger arrivals at 34.2%, followed by Bogotá at 20.9%. Among international destinations, San Andrés saw a 61% rise in arrivals, and Cúcuta recorded a 38.9% increase compared to 2023.

Tourism Promotion Campaign

The “Colombia, El País de la Belleza” campaign has played a role in enhancing the country’s visibility on the global stage, insists the minister. “Our campaign has positioned Colombia as a well-known destination with much to offer, contributing to the rise in visitor numbers,” Minister Reyes added. The government aims to continue strengthening all aspects of the tourism value chain to meet the needs of non-resident visitors and support a diversified tourism offering.

Bogota photo courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield.

The rationing will primarily affect Colombia’s Caribbean region, encompassing departments such as Bolívar, Magdalena, La Guajira, Cesar, Córdoba, Sucre, San Andrés, and Atlántico. This recently planned restriction will mostly impact industrial sectors, with thermal power plants in the Caribbean facing significant reductions in gas availability. Residential and small commercial consumers are expected to remain unaffected in the short term, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

The planned maintenance of the Spec LNG regasification plant in Cartagena—a critical facility for liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing—directly influences the gas rationing decision. Maintenance is typically conducted annually and is mandated under Decree 1073 of 2015. However, this year’s maintenance is notable due to the decreased gas reserves and high demand.

Gas Supply Shortfall and Import Strategy

The Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas), represented by its president Luz Stella Murgas, has emphasized the urgency of sourcing gas imports from neighboring countries to counter declining internal reserves. According to Murgas, increasing gas imports is the only viable option to avoid mid- to long-term shortages. Colombia’s domestic reserves have seen accelerated depletion, raising alarms within the industry and highlighting a critical need for regulatory adjustments.

Colombia’s reliance on hydroelectric power sources—which account for approximately 70% of national electricity—compounds the situation. Reservoir levels dropped significantly due to the El Niño phenomenon, which concluded in April 2024. Although reservoirs have since begun recovering, their current levels remain below optimal. As of October 20, Ecopetrol reported reservoir levels at 53.64% capacity, a figure that remains insufficient as the country anticipates a dry season with lower-than-average rainfall beginning in December.

The increased reliance on thermal power plants to compensate for lower hydroelectric output has put additional strain on natural gas supplies. The Ministry of Mines and Energy indicated that imported gas volumes have been insufficient to meet this demand surge, leading to the current shortage. In response, the ministry has proposed regulatory “enablers” to facilitate gas imports, a policy adjustment aimed at stabilizing market conditions, according to Minister Andrés Camacho.

Rationing Details and Implications for the Industrial Sector

The rationing strategy includes staged reductions in gas supply to major industrial consumers over the four-day period, with planned volumes of:

• October 31 – November 1: 84.6 million cubic feet
• November 2: 75.7 million cubic feet
• November 3: 60.3 million cubic feet
• November 4: 72.4 million cubic feet

These allocations are part of a broader inventory management approach aimed at maintaining energy system balance. However, experts have raised concerns that these volumes may fall short of meeting the region’s rising industrial demand, especially in the Caribbean.

Broader Energy Policy and Economic Impact

The rationing decision highlights the complex intersection of Colombia’s energy policies, supply dynamics, and environmental factors. The Caribbean region’s high concentration of energy-intensive industries is expected to feel the brunt of the rationing’s indirect effects on electricity stability. While this measure remains temporary, the government’s exploration moratorium and current reserve limitations suggest a challenging outlook for Colombia’s energy sector.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy’s gas rationing strategy illustrates the critical need for policy adaptations to mitigate shortfalls and ensure energy security in the face of fluctuating internal resources and environmental variables. As the situation evolves, the government will face mounting pressure from industrial stakeholders and the public to develop more resilient energy policies.

Flights to Arauca, via Santiago Pérez Quiroz Airport, will run four times weekly, while connections to Quibdó, via El Caraño Airport, will operate three times per week. These routes aim to strengthen regional connectivity, and Avianca’s CEO, Frederico Pedreira, highlighted the airline’s intent to support regions needing robust transportation access. This expansion adds to Avianca’s 40 domestic routes, making it one of only a few air carriers with year-round service to various regions, from San Andrés to Leticia.

Aligned with Avianca’s social strategy, the new routes facilitate access to essential services, including healthcare. Through partnerships, Avianca supports social organizations in delivering medical and humanitarian aid to remote areas, benefiting vulnerable communities in places like Chocó and Arauca.

Flight schedules for these routes are subject to government approval, and tickets are available via Avianca’s website, mobile app, sales points, and travel agencies.