Colombia Works toward Stronger Air Travel

Colombia Works toward Stronger Air Travel

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged the government of Colombia to strengthen the competitiveness of its air transport sector with further liberalization and infrastructure improvements.

“Colombia is one of Latin America’s most vibrant economies with a fast-growing aviation sector. To take this growth forward requires a strategic vision. I congratulate President Juan Manuel Santos for articulating this in his plans for aviation to play a key role in driving growth in the Colombian economy. This vision must be supported by strong government policies to improve aviation’s competitiveness and to facilitate profitable growth with greater liberalization and infrastructure improvements,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO.

Bisignani met with President Santos to discuss the future of aviation in Colombia and to celebrate 100 years of powered flight in the country. President Santos has set a national agenda to strengthen the country’s economy with a more vibrant travel and tourism sector which today supports 4.9 per cent of Colombian GDP and nearly one million jobs.

The President set three strategic goals to be achieved over the next four years. They are aimed at doubling the number of airline seats on offer in the Colombian market, increasing visitor arrivals from 2.8 million to 4 million annually, and raising travel and tourism from Colombia’s third largest source of foreign exchange (behind oil and mining) to first place.

“Aviation will play a key role in achieving these goals. Clearly the President understands this industry’s ability to be a catalyst for economic growth. Many existing policies have created great opportunities for Colombian aviation. But some areas do require major changes,” said Bisignani.