GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Colombia’s largest airline, Avianca will start direct flights to and from Guyana from December 11.

The carrier will operate two weekly flights between the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.

The new route will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers, offering over 700 seats per week. Avianca will fly into Georgetown on Tuesdays and Saturdays and fly out on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The addition of Avianca brings the number of new airlines serving Guyana since 2020 to seven with access to five new destinations.

Avianca’s Sales Director for Colombia and South America, David Alemán said the airline had “high expectations for Georgetown”.

Government officials have welcomed the new service which they see as a key step towards positioning Guyana as a regional hub for travel and commerce.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said: “As the Government continues to invest in modernising the country’s aviation infrastructure and forge partnerships with renowned global airlines, Avianca’s entry into the local market will significantly boost interest in our country’s unique offerings.”

Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Oneidge Walrond anticipates the flights will increase visitor arrivals while stimulating investment and economic growth.

“It will also significantly boost our local tourism industry, creating new jobs and opportunities for businesses. This positive development will further enhance Guyana’s reputation as a premier tourist destination,” she added.

With the new flights, travellers from Guyana will be able to access more than 140 routes in the Americas and Europe, including major cities in the United States, as well as key destinations in South and Central America, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.

So far this year, Guyana has added an additional 200,000 airline seats and 125,000 more passenger movements, according to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.