Tourexpi
Colombia is significantly expanding its international air connectivity in 2026, with 20 new routes operated by ten airlines. The additional services connect six Colombian cities with ten international source markets and will provide around 15,438 additional seats per week.
According to ProColombia, the routes are being introduced between 4 June and 18 December 2026 and together account for 79 weekly frequencies. The expansion has been developed in cooperation with airlines and regional organisations as Colombia seeks to strengthen its position in international tourism and business travel.
Medellín gains six new international routes
Medellín is the biggest beneficiary of the expansion, adding six international connections during the year. Viva Aerobus began flying from Mexico City on 5 June, followed by Wingo services from Montego Bay on 23 June and Guatemala City on 25 June.
Avianca is scheduled to connect Caracas with Medellín from 28 August, while JetSmart will launch Buenos Aires flights on 12 November. Volaris will complete the new programme with a Guadalajara service beginning on 2 December.
Cartagena is gaining four routes. Viva Aerobus launched Mexico City flights on 4 June and World2Fly followed with a Madrid connection on 3 July. United Airlines will enter the Cartagena market with two routes from the United States on 17 December, serving the Colombian Caribbean city from Houston and Washington.
Barranquilla adds four connections
Barranquilla is also receiving four new international services. Wingo began operating from Aruba on 9 July, while Avianca launched a Fort Lauderdale connection on 15 July.
JetBlue will add another Fort Lauderdale service from 1 October. The most significant European addition comes on 18 December, when Air Europa is scheduled to begin flights from Madrid.
Bogotá, meanwhile, gains three routes. Wingo will serve the Colombian capital from Valencia in Venezuela and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, while Qatar Airways is scheduled to introduce a Doha-Bogotá connection on 4 September.
The Doha service represents the first direct connection between the two cities and substantially increases Colombia’s direct accessibility from the Middle East.
New flights also reach Cali and Bucaramanga
Cali gains two additional connections from Fort Lauderdale. Avianca launched its service on 15 July, with JetBlue scheduled to follow on 15 October.
Bucaramanga receives one new international route, with Wingo connecting the city with Aruba from 17 June.
Among the most significant developments are United Airlines’ arrival in Cartagena, Qatar Airways’ Doha-Bogotá service, Air Europa’s return and World2Fly’s expansion of capacity between Spain and Colombia. JetSmart’s Buenos Aires-Medellín route also strengthens direct links between Colombia and Argentina.
International ticket sales exceed 325,000
The expansion comes as international demand for Colombia continues to grow in several important source markets. ProColombia recorded 325,788 passengers in ticket sales to Colombia between April and June 2026, based on data from IATA GAP.
Barranquilla achieved the strongest growth among Colombia’s principal international destinations. Ticket sales increased by 12.7%, from 8,629 passengers in the second quarter of 2025 to 9,729 in the same period this year.
United States remains Colombia’s largest source market
The United States continues to dominate international ticket sales to Colombia. The number increased by 4.2% year-on-year, from 128,381 to 133,777 passengers in the second quarter.
The US consequently accounted for 41.1% of all tickets sold to Colombia during the period. Bogotá and Medellín together attracted around 56% of these passengers, followed by Cartagena and Cali.
Spain also recorded growth. Ticket sales increased by 5.1%, from 26,739 to 28,108 passengers, with Bogotá, Cali and Pereira the principal Colombian destinations for travellers originating in Spain.
Brazil continued its upward trend, with passenger numbers rising 6.7% from 20,237 to 21,587. This followed growth of 18.6% between the second quarters of 2024 and 2025.
The combination of additional airline capacity and rising sales in major source markets strengthens Colombia’s international accessibility, while the distribution of new routes across Medellín, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali and Bucaramanga broadens connectivity beyond the country’s principal aviation hub.
Image Credit: © AI generated illustration
The most interesting news
Read the News

Lufthansa Group announces largest route expansion since 2020
Ten new long-haul connections, additional flights to the Americas and Asia, and expanded leisure services will shape the group's summer 2027 schedule
Read the News

Delta expands 2027 transatlantic network with four new routes
New services to Reykjavík, Venice, Athens and Paris will strengthen US–Europe connectivity as the airline extends its seasonal flight programme
Read the News

Princess Cruises expands Sanctuary Collection to five more ships
The cruise line is extending its premium accommodation concept across the Royal Class fleet, with the first new departures available from January 2027
Read the News

Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao strengthens international tourism cooperation
The 2026 edition brought together around 1,300 participants and generated more than 1,000 business matchmaking contacts, with Hainan set to host the next forum in 2027
Read the News

ROBINSON targets Vietnamese and South Korean travellers with tailored campaigns
TUI Group’s premium club resort brand is promoting ROBINSON NAM HOI AN through two distinct marketing strategies, with influencer partnerships and locally adapted digital content
Read the News

Ryanair adds fourth aircraft at Memmingen Airport for winter 2026
The airline plans 25 routes, including new services to Catania and Tirana, and expects passenger traffic to rise by 21% despite wider capacity reductions in Germany
Read the News

Delta completes global Wi-Fi coverage with Asia-Pacific expansion
Free onboard internet access is now available to SkyMiles members across Delta’s international network, with full fleet connectivity planned for early 2027
Read the News

Holland America Line marks 80 years in Alaska with new heritage tour collection
More than 35 excursions celebrating Alaska’s railways, glaciers, wildlife and cultural history will be available on selected cruises and land-and-sea journeys in 2027
Read the News

Türkiye targets $70 billion in tourism revenue for 2027
The government plans to increase tourism development funding to $244.5 million as it seeks to strengthen the country's position among the world's leading tourism destinations
Read the News

IHG and American Express Expand Premium Travel Benefits in China
A new partnership offers eligible Platinum Cardmembers elite hotel status, additional loyalty rewards and cashback incentives across selected properties
Read the News

Hilton introduces digital Pay with Points for hotel expenses
The new Hilton Honors feature allows elite members to redeem loyalty points against eligible hotel charges during mobile checkout, with a wider rollout planned for 2027
Read the News

Lufthansa retires last Airbus A340-600 after 23 years of service
The final scheduled flight from Washington to Frankfurt marks the end of an era as the airline accelerates its largest long-haul fleet renewal programme
Read the News

Spain welcomes 11.5 million international air passengers in September
International arrivals rose by 5.1% year on year, bringing the total for the first nine months of 2026 to 90.9 million, according to Turespaña
Read the News

Shanghai’s St. Regis on the Bund Earns Michelin Key on Second Anniversary
The luxury hotel celebrates two years with international recognition, new suites and an expanded focus on gastronomy and cultural experiences
Read the News

Kempinski and BTG Hotels plan to deepen luxury hospitality partnership in China
The two hotel groups aim to expand their cooperation through new luxury hotel projects, additional investment in operational resources and opportunities in international markets
Read the News

Aruba Fashion Week Marks Its 10th Anniversary with Iberostar Partnership
The November 2026 event will bring international designers, Caribbean creativity and luxury hospitality together across two venues in Aruba
Read the News

Yanolja targets Asia-Pacific growth with hotel technology and B2B distribution
At ITB Asia 2026 in Singapore, the South Korean travel technology group will showcase AI-powered hotel operations and expand its accommodation distribution partnerships
Read the News

Tomorrowland brings two-day electronic music festival to Shanghai
The sold-out event at Hero Dome combined international DJs, large-scale stage technology and local cultural experiences
Read the News

Lufthansa Group launches first consumer campaign under its umbrella brand
The “Greatness is a Group effort” campaign highlights the benefits of an integrated airline network while preserving the individual identities of its carriers
Read the News

Tourism employment in Spain exceeds three million in September
Tourism-related employment rises by 4.7% year on year, with hospitality driving growth and the Valencian Community recording the strongest regional increase
Read the News

United Airlines expands meal preordering to shorter flights
The airline extends its Economy food preordering service to 420 additional daily flights across North America and the Caribbean