Colombia lifted travel restrictions to and from Brazil in early May, after observing a drop in incoming cases to its territory from that country. With this, Avianca and LATAM scheduled to return with their flights between the two countries starting in July.
Earlier this year, the Brazilian variant of COVID-19 has worried many countries globally, with more than 100 nations restricting operations bound for Brazil. Now, the person in charge of the Colombian Health portfolio confirmed the elimination of limitations on air transport between both territories through resolution 595 of 2021.
Emitida Resolución 595,elimina restricciones de vuelos desde Leticia y Brasil. Viajeros sólo deben mantener las medidas de bioseguridad y requisitos que para vuelos nacionales e internacionales que establece la Resolución 411 de 2021. @MinSaludCol @infopresidencia pic.twitter.com/WVY3jZcefw
— Fernando Ruiz (@Fruizgomez) May 12, 2021
Colombia’s decision to eliminate these limitations was made thanks to the trust of the biosafety protocols that the country is implementing, such as the correct use of face masks, distancing and carrying out a PCR test within 72 hours prior to the flight. On the other hand, to enter Brazil, a PCR test is required within 96 hours before the flight.
Colombia will also require a two-week quarantine for those who come from Brazil. The Colombian Ministry of Health declared that they will be very careful with this measure and will be alert to any eventuality that forces them to limit flights again.
Avianca and LATAM plan to start on July 1 with direct flights from Bogotá (BOG) to São Paulo / Guarulhos (GRU), while from Rio de Janeiro / Galeao (GIG) it will return from July 2 by Avianca.
Avianca´s schedule
| Flight | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Frequencies |
| AV 185 | Bogotá (BOG) | 15:50 | San Pablo (GRU) | 00:20 (+1) | Mon – Tue – Thu – Sat |
| AV 184 | San Pablo (GRU) | 02:10 | Bogotá (BOG) | 06:10 | Tue – Wed – Fri – Sun |
| AV 85 | Bogotá (BOG) | 22:14 | San Pablo (GRU) | 06:45 | Tue – Fri – Sun |
| AV 86 | San Pablo (GRU) | 07:55 | Bogotá (BOG) | 11:55 | Mon – Wed – Sat |
| AV 261 | Bogotá (BOG) | 22:35 | Río de Janeiro (GIG) | 07:05 | Wed – Fri – Sun |
| AV 260 | Río de Janeiro (GIG) | 08:15 | Bogotá (BOG) | 12:30 | Mon – Thu – Sat |
All flights will be operated by the Airbus A320neo, with a capacity for 153 passengers, giving it an offer of 3,060 seats per week between Colombia and Brazil.
“Brazil is a highly relevant market for Avianca. We are pleased to resume our regular direct flights from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Bogotá to continue connecting the world with Latin America. We will continue to apply the strictest biosafety protocols throughout our operation to take care of the health of our people and our customers,” said the airline’s Manager for Central and South America, David Alemán, via the Brazilian media El Globo.
LATAM´s schedule
| Flight | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Frequencies |
| LA 8000 | San Pablo (GRU) | 07:00 | Bogotá (BOG) | 11:00 | Tue – Wed – Thu – Fri – Sun |
| LA 8001 | Bogotá (BOG) | 13:00 | San Pablo (GRU) | 21:10 | Tue – Wed – Thu – Fri – Sun |
The flights will be operated on the Airbus A320s and A321ceos of the Brazilian subsidiary, with capacity for 174 and 220 seats respectively. With this, an offer of 1,832 seats per week will be available on the route.
All this programming is subject to changes due to the evolution of the epidemiological situation in each country.
