In light of the success of the direct route between Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Isla Verde and Medellín, Colombia, Avianca announced during the International Tourism Fair in Spain that it will begin operating this route permanently with four weekly flights starting from April 1, 2024.
Although these trips had initially started in December as a temporary measure, a press release stated that the SJU-MDE route has experienced high demand, establishing itself as the sole direct flight option for travelers between both cities.
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Carlos Mercado Santiago, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), expressed that "the expansion of the direct route between San Juan and Medellín represents an approximate economic impact of over $5.7 million for our island and will add 37,800 seats to the air inventory."
"Avianca's decision to turn this seasonal route into a year-round permanent flight reflects confidence in the potential for tourism and business exchange between both destinations, undoubtedly promoting further connectivity in the region and bringing significant benefits for both visitors and our local economy. Once again, we thank Avianca for continuing to invest in Puerto Rico," he added.
The route, operated by A320-100/200 aircraft, will not only provide greater flexibility for travelers but also contribute to the economic development of both destinations.
Rolando Damas, Avianca's Director of Sales for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, stated, "With the permanent operation of our direct flight between San Juan and Medellín, we aim to further strengthen connectivity in Latin America and, on this occasion, offer Puerto Ricans a direct and convenient option to reach one of Colombia's most attractive destinations. We continue to expand our operations and provide more convenient flight options for our passengers."
This year marks Avianca's eleventh anniversary since the resumption of operations to and from Puerto Rico. Since then, the airline has tripled its capacity on the island.