Avianca Calls Colombia's Conditions to Viva Air Merger 'Unfeasible'

Colombia’s flag-carrier airline Avianca will invest $473 million to grow its fleet by 16 aircraft as it looks to increase the number of routes on offer, Chief Executive Adrian Neuhauser said on Thursday.

BIO Habitat Hotel is comprised of 28 habitats, or rooms, in eight distinct categories – from Montaña Grand Master Suites, featuring sweeping mountain views, and their own hot tubs and infinity pools, to Nidos, glass-enclosed respites with suspended nets located deep in the forest.

During the initial phase of the project, development of real estate specific to the aviation sector will take place on the southern side of the runway. An investment of 30 million euros has already been allocated to this area, with the completion of the first structures targeted for 2025.

Sabre’s technology will help enable Nile Air to optimize its distribution strategy, offering passengers more choice and convenience when booking flights. This agreement will further streamline Nile Air’s operations, helping to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow.

The U.S.-based, ultra-low-cost carrier in Colombia delivers affordable, nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO).

The Avianca and Viva Air merger has hit a major roadblock with Colombian authorities objecting to the proposed combination. The move could be a blow to Avianca’s plan to create a pan-South American airline group with Brazil’s Gol.

Twelve minutes. That’s all the time it took for the board of directors of Avianca, the second largest airline in Latin America, to set the fate of the carrier and begin a series of sweeping changes to the airline industry in the region.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, December 2. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

The top boss of Marriott International used an on-stage interview on Thursday as a platform to call on the U.S. federal government to do more to cut the wait times for interviews for first-time visitor visa applicants, which he said was leading to lost revenue because of reduced U.S. inbound tourism.

Colombia’s civil aviation authority, Aerocivil, is taking a new look at the proposed merger of Avianca and Viva Air following what it described as a “substantial irregularity” in its initial review. That process, which concluded in November, rejected the airlines’ combination due to competition concerns.

Colombia has launched a dedicated visa for digital nomads, which is quite an achievement considering the country’s recent political upheavals.

It may be a full on bidding war for bankrupt Colombian budget airline Viva Air. Latam Airlines has expressed interest in acquiring the carrier, joining Chile’s JetSmart, and put Avianca in defense mode over its proposed merger with Viva.