The rice strike that affected several regions of the country since mid -July, especially the Department of Meta, generated a direct impact on air mobility.
According to data from the Viajala.com.co flight search engine, flight searches to Villavicencio were significantly increased from the beginning of peasant manifestations, In addition, prices doubled despite the government’s order to airlines to maintain a tariff roof.
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“It seems complex to connect an increase in the price of air tickets with rice strike, which mainly affects the mobility of land travelers, but it is a reality,” Felipe Alarcón, Commercial Director of Viajala explains.
Air routes from Bogotá, Neiva, Armenia, Pereira and Medellín have registered a considerable increase in the number of searches towards the capital of the finish line. In the case of Bogotá, the variation reached 400 % during the last 10 days compared to 10 days before unemployment.
Neiva also presented a 400 % increase in flight searches to Villavicencio In the same period. Armenia reported an even greater increase, of 450 %, while Pereira registered 283 % more searches. Medellín, although to a lesser extent, showed a 50 %variation.
“Unemployment can generate a greater demand for aerial tickets, especially towards destinations such as Villavicencio, which is strongly affected, and others such as Ibagué, Neiva and the coffee axis from Bogotá, since these routes go through areas with blockages,” Alarcón said.
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The rice guild and the Ministry of Agriculture discuss a resolution to regulate the price of the green paddy.
Rice producers and farmers
This increase in demand has forced airlines to take measures to adapt to the new situation. “The impact on the air sector is so strong that Avianca, for example, announced a duplication of chairs capacity to Villavicencio to meet the greatest demand,” The Viajala spokesman said.
Another behavior that caught the attention of the analysts was the increase in the search for flights only. “We also observed that, between July 10 and 24, the amount of flight searches only increased, which is not so common, since most travelers opt for round trip flights. This may be an indication that travelers expected to be able to return by road,” The executive added.
Ticket prices shot
The impact has not only reflected in the volume of searches, but also in the price of tickets. In particular, The Neiva -Villavicencio route reached an average value of $ 1,323,201 per route between July 14 and 24which represents an increase of 276 % compared to the average price recorded in the previous 10 days.
The Bogotá -Villavicencio route, one of the most demanded, It presented an average price of $ 508,709 in that same period, which is equivalent to a 107 %increase.
In the case of Medellín – Villavicencio, the average price was $ 427,874, with a positive variation of 22 %, while Pereira – Villavicencio registered an average value of $ 425,105, with an increase of 27 %.
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The national rice strike completes ten days with mobilizations in several regions of the country.
Rice producers and farmers
Of the 10 main routes to Villavicencio sought by Colombian users between July 14 and 24, four presented important increases compared to the 10 days prior to the start of unemployment.
The peasant mobilizations initiated in the goal have resulted in the closure of several strategic road corridors, which has hindered the transit of passengers, goods and cargo vehicles. This situation resulted in a temporary change in travel dynamics, with partial migration to air routes as an alternative for connectivity.
Paula Galeano Balaguera
Portfolio journalist
