Colombian jet setters will be pleased with the announcement of a new low-cost airline to start operating in Colombia in 2012.
The airline “VivaColombia” will cover high-traffic routes between Cartagena, Cali, Medellin, Bogota, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga.
“We want the price of airline ticket to be an insignificant part of the travel budget to motivate millions of people to fly in Colombia,” said Fred Jacobsen, VivaColombia President.
The company is spearheaded by Declan Ryan, owner of Irish company Ryanair as well as other business groups IAMSA, Grupo Fast and Grupo Bolivar.
An initial capital of $2.6 million was put into the company to start operations with three air crafts, with aims to expand the fleet to five within the first year.
Flights will start from $16, plus taxes, currently the lowest in the market. It will operate a single class aircraft, believed to be the Boeing 737, the same craft used by Ryanair.
Jacobsen’s hope is that this new low-cost airline will help to boost tourism numbers entering the country.
