Latin America

Editors discuss why Colombia made a rescue of LCC Viva almost impossible.

The Spanish flag carrier said it has resumed service to all pre-pandemic Latin American destinations.

The group plans to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy soon under a reorganization plan that will make it 'more agile, with a more competitive cost structure.'

The move follows Avianca’s April agreement to acquire Colombian ULCC Viva.

The consolidated business will have a network spanning almost 300 routes and be similar in size to LATAM Airlines Group.

Brazil’s antitrust regulator said the deal could increase competition on routes between Brazil and the US.

Recovery from the pandemic will “stagnate” unless there is more cooperation with governments.

We are moving towards recovery and there is a clear path to reach a good altitude, says José Ricardo Botelho, executive director and CEO at ALTA.

Routes takes a look at Viva Aerobus, which has grown during the pandemic.

Passenger traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean is forecast to return to long-run pre-pandemic growth trends—but the lack of harmonization between governments remains a problem.

Overall capacity worldwide is back at 70% of pre-crisis levels.

The Star Alliance member plans to increase Latin American-US connectivity from December.

Without a partnership between Delta and LATAM, American will have an unfair advantage in Latin America, Delta and LATAM argue.

IATA regional VP for the Americas Peter Cerda told Routes Americas that the upward trend seen before the pandemic will continue in the long term.

As Routes Americas 2021 kicks off, there is a resurgence of capacity in the US and some Latin American markets.

The Spanish carrier plans to operate flights to 18 Latin America destinations in 16 countries from July.

The tie-up is still being reviewed in other countries, including Chile.

CEO Pedro Heilbron notes that a number of key Latin American markets continue to struggle to contain COVID-19.

CEO Felix Antelo tells Routes Reconnected the Colombian ULCC plans to increase its international network using its recently created Medellín hub.

New aircraft mean previously unprofitable thinner routes become more viable.

A recovery to pre-pandemic international flight levels in Latin America is not expected until 2024.

A new direct flight from Frankfurt to Quito in Ecuador, the host city for Routes Americas 2018, is being launched by German leisure carrier Condor. The service follows successful meetings at this year’s World Routes in Barcelona.

Argentina’s more liberalised approach is fuelling capacity growth and attracting new entrants to the market. However, IATA has stressed that the country’s government must address infrastructure concerns in order to fulfil its potential and become a regional aviation powerhouse.

About 450 regional routes in Latin America have been dropped over the past ten years, a report by Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has found.

Airports and airlines in Latin America can overcome issues surrounding infrastructure constraints and market consolidation if they work together, delegates at World Routes have been told.