By Juan Pedro Sanchez Zamudio
Sky Airlines and Viva Air Start 2021 Announcing New Routes
Despite new Colombian requirements for travel during the pandemic, the Viva Air Group announced the recent reopening of its direct flight from Lima, Peru to Medellín, Colombia. The carrier announced that it will offer service on three weekly flights, scheduled every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and will be operated by its new Airbus A320neo aircraft.
The reactivation of international flights in Colombia began on Sept. 19, while flights to Chile resumed on Nov. 23. Since those dates, international operations have gradually increased in both South American countries. Today, the connectivity of Chile and Colombia continues to increase in the region, leading the reactivation of the aviation industry.
According to portaldeturismo, the airline plans to transport a total of approximately 4,000 passengers by Jan. 2021.
Other carriers have recently joined the fast-growing market as well. Santiago, Chile-based Sky Airline began to operate its route between Santiago de Chile and Bogotá on Jan. 2.
According to aviacionline, This route will initially be operated three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays with one of its Airbus A320Neo carrying up to 186 passengers. The low-cost carrier has high hopes for its new route, and is scheduled to start daily operations from March 28.
The low-cost carrier will be competing in a hyper-competitive market, as it goes up against Avianca, JetSmart and LATAM.
Sky’s new route comes on the heels of its end-of-year decision to begin service between Lima and Cancún, Mexico. After the announcement, the airline bcame the only low-cost carrier with direct flights between the capital of Chile and the popular Mexican tourist destination. The airline aims to offer rates that are 30% lower than market average thanks to its low-cost model.
Sky will fly between Lima and Cancun on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and will be operate its new Airbus A320neo aircraft.
As two of the largest, low-cost carriers in South America, Viva Air and Sky Airline hope they can continue to leverage their low-cost business model and lead the recovery of the aviation market.
The three things Juan Pedro loves most about aviation are aircraft, airports, and traveling thousands of miles in just a few hours. What he enjoys the most about aviation is that it is easier and cheaper to travel around the world and this gives you the opportunity to visit places you thought were too far away. He has traveled to different destinations in North, Central, South America and Asia. Born, raised and still living in Perú, Juan is a lawyer, soccer lover, foodie, passionate traveler, dog lover, millennial and curious by nature.