Commercial aviation in Colombia has reached record numbers during the first ten months of 2024 with a total of 46.5 million passengers transported, which represents a growth of 15.9% compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase underlines the recovery and sustained expansion of the national airline sector, consolidating Colombia as one of the key players in regional air connectivity.
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The performance of the sector is not only reflected in the number of passengers, but also in cargo and mail transportation, which has shown a positive trend in the last twelve months. During this period, 933,079 tons of cargo were moved, which represents an increase of 8.4% compared to 2023. Likewise, in October 2024, cargo transportation registered a growth of 10.5%, with an increase of 8,092 tons compared to the same month of the previous year.
The figures provide a clear image of the post-pandemic recovery of the Colombian airline sector, which has experienced a notable acceleration in its activity, in line with the country’s economic reactivation and the recovery of consumer confidence in air travel.
Between November 2023 and October 2024, Colombia transported a total of 55.85 million passengers, which represented an increase of 15.44% compared to the previous year, which is equivalent to 6.38 million additional passengers. In terms of connectivity, Colombia has strengthened its links with international destinations, increasing the number of flights and the competitiveness of national and international airlines in the Colombian market.
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One of the key factors behind this growth is the expansion of the aircraft fleet in the country, as well as the increase in the frequency of national and international flights. The airline sector has invested significantly in new routes and improvements in airport infrastructure, which has allowed for greater transport capacity and facilitated the arrival of tourists and business travelers.
In addition to passenger mobility, cargo transportation has shown a growing trend. Colombian airlines have improved their logistics operations, which has contributed to a 9% increase in freight transportation between January and October 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. In total, 775,515 tons of cargo were moved, which underlines the importance of Colombian airports as regional hubs in international trade.
Cargo and mail transportation in October 2024 stood out for its notable growth, with an increase of 10.5% compared to the same month of 2023.
In this growth, airports such as El Dorado, in Bogotá, have experienced a significant expansion in their passenger handling capacity, with the construction of new terminals and the improvement of services, which has allowed a greater number of daily operations. Other regional airports, such as Medellín, Cali and Cartagena, have also increased their capacity and have favored increased connectivity with different regions of the country and abroad.
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Despite the achievements, the industry still faces challenges such as rising operating costs, fluctuating fuel prices, environmental concerns and the need to continue improving infrastructure and services to maintain quality and efficiency in the industry. air transport.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist