In an announcement made today, the Colombian low-cost airline Viva announced the beginning of two new international routes across South America. In addition, Viva will fly from Medelln and Bogotá to Buenos Aires in Argentina, two routes that have been on the company’s CEO Félix Antelo’s wish list for quite some time. Let’s look into it a little further.
Viva Colombia has been contemplating a flight to Argentina for quite some time before to this announcement. Félix Antelo, the airline’s CEO, has previously expressed his desire in expanding the airline’s service to include all of South America while keeping pricing reasonable for tourists. Overall, taxes in the area are expensive, which is one of the reasons why interregional travel has not yet evolved to its full potential.
Viva Airlines stated on Thursday that the Argentinian government has approved the airline’s two newest routes, which link Medelln and Bogotá with Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Airbus A320 and Airbus A320neo aircraft operated by Viva will commence service on these additional routes on June 15, according to the airline.
“Through our Medelln Hub, we are the first ultra-low-cost carrier to link Argentina with additional international destinations such as Miami, Mexico City, Cancun, and Punta Cana,” the airline said in a statement.
There are now eight international routes operated by Viva, with a few more to be added in the next months, including Cartagena-Mexico City and Medelln-Sao Paulo, among others.
The market is characterized by intense rivalry.
Viva will operate four trips per week on each route, with flights to and from Argentina departing on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, respectively. The cheapest one-way rates are US$199 for the Bogota-Buenos Aires section and US$219 for the Medelln-Buenos Aires segment, both of which are non-stop flights.
Aerolneas Argentinas and Avianca are the only airlines that fly between Bogotá and Buenos Aires at the moment. Flights are operated by the Argentinean State airline five times per week, while Avianca operates two flights each day. According to Aerolíneas’ website, travelling between Bogotá and Buenos Aires the same week Viva opens its service may cost a minimum of US$772. The highest offer from Avianca is US$518.60.
Based on the company’s projections, rates on the route might reduce by up to 40% if it is opened to the public. The company also expects to transport up to 140,000 passengers in its first year of commercial operation.
According to Félix Antelo,
As an Argentinian, I am excited about the opening of Buenos Aires as Viva’s new international destination because we will be the only airline operating the Medelln-Buenos Aires route directly and, more importantly, with our usual low fares that will make this destination more accessible to Colombians.” As a result of this new link, Argentine residents will be able to travel from our Medelln Hub to Miami with just a few stopovers, which will greatly improve their travel options. They will also be able to take advantage of our extensive network of overseas destinations in the continent’s center and northern regions.”
The Viva center
Viva has made significant investments in establishing Medelln as the low-cost center for the Americas. A smooth one-stop link between North and South America is what the airline is aiming to give its customers.
Viva got authorisation from the Colombian civil aviation authorities last year to establish more than 60 flights, including 30 foreign destinations, as part of its expansion strategy.
In the time after getting clearance, Viva has announced and/or started a small number of routes, indicating that the company will continue to make fresh announcements in the future.
In addition to the United States, Viva has been granted permission to conduct international flights to the following destinations: Mexico; Peru; Brazil; the Dominican Republic; El Salvador; Panama; Guatemala; and Aruba. More foreign flights from Bogota, Medelln, Cartagena, Ccuta, and Cali might be added by the airline in the future.