PBH / Colombia / Start Forums▼ (active) Travelguide Cheap hostels Pictures

Four airlines selected for new Colombia service, AA loses route

Four airlines selected for new Colombia service, AA loses route

In case you missed this story from last week, the Department of Transportation has granted four airlines the rights to new routes between the USA and Colombia. The airlines getting the new flight rights: Continental (from Houston Intercontinental), Delta (New York JFK), JetBlue (Orlando) and Spirit (Fort Lauderdale). All four routes will be to the Colombian capital of Bogota. The Miami Herald (free registration) says Spirit and JetBlue will offer "the first U.S. low-cost carrier service" to Bogota. Three of the routes became available when the USA and Colombia amended their bilateral aviation agreement to add 21 weekly flights –- or the equivalent of one daily round-trip flight on three routes.

So, where did the fourth route come from? In what the South Florida Sun-Sentinel calls a "controversial move, the DOT took away from American Airlines the rights to seven of its 42 weekly flights" -- or the equivalent of one daily round-trip flight. The paper says that move came after Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit "had argued in a filing with the agency last year that some of the rights granted to American (from Miami) had gone unused for long stretches." AA is appealing the DOT's decision, though DOT decisions on new routes are rarely reversed.

The DOT also rejected US Airways' request to add service as a "new entrant" to Colombia from its Charlotte hub. The agency said demand "from the markets that would be served by the other new entrants JetBlue and Spirit is substantially greater than that from Charlotte," according to Aviation Daily. If the DOT's "tentative" decision on the routes stands, Delta would be permitted to begin service immediately while JetBlue and Spirit could begin their routes April 1. Continental would be able to begin its service Oct. 1.

Posted at 12:45 PM/ET, Mar 11, 2008 in American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit | Permalink

By DodgerDogs on Mar 11, 2008, 13:30 in Travel tips.

DodgerDogs says on Mar 11, 2008, 13:30:

AA had bad service to Colombia

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Waterdawg says on Mar 11, 2008, 13:44:

For personal reasons : Would have loved a Charlotte Route !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 11, 2008, 14:29:

When will JetBlue's website or people (when you call) recognize this?
I guess to Jet Blue this isn't a big deal?!
They should be hyping the hell out of it to promote tourism and flights.
But I guess if there's already a demand (which there is), the flights will sell.
I can't wait to see Cuanto$?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

NJ C Rep says on Mar 11, 2008, 15:10:

Actually, if you look at Jet Blue's "where we fly Map" It looks like they have a new graphic ready to expand the map but screwed up the original. This is gonan sound silly but there is asmall blue speck west of aruba. That is where central america would be. I am guessing it will wind down to Colombia and South America carribean coast. I think they are waiting until AA apeal is heardand the DOT's FINAL descission is handed down. I am convinced that Jet Blue will make a huge deal of Colombia but the details come first...

http://www.jetblue.com/wherewefly/

0 funny, 0 helpful.

panthdave says on Mar 11, 2008, 15:28:

I don't understand US Airways rejection because what would happen is that flight from Charlotte would be a connecting flight from major cities for US Airways because that is there hub..US Airways would have customers flown into there hub in Charlotte to connect to that flight to Colombia..so thats unfair..just because they don't see a major market in Charlotte has nothing to do with Charlotte...US Airways uses that airport for a major hub for connecting flights like AA to Miami, Delta to Atlanta..

panthdave Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

RUV says on Mar 11, 2008, 15:29:

What AA routes have been lost? Miami ->Bogota, Miami ->Medellin, Miami-> Cali?

That kind of sucks, I have over 300,000 frequent flyer miles with AA. I guess I will have to use them with Mexicana.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

panthdave says on Mar 11, 2008, 15:43:

AA still has routes only last a few....AA still going to the major cities of Colombia...

panthdave Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

panthdave says on Mar 11, 2008, 15:47:

300,000 Miles I am jealous..Damn...but I use them right away..

panthdave Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Mar 11, 2008, 19:44:

US Aiways would have friggin rocked for me...I fly for free on those bash tardos!
Although I do not live near Charlotte I think that hub is really nice! Anything to keep from that animal house of Miami, I miss my connections about 50% of the time, for some reason the boyz in blue down there are intent to thinking I am related to Pablo Escobar or I am him for some reason!

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.

droble77 says on Mar 11, 2008, 23:19:

RUV, I don't think AA lost any routes, what they lost was flight frequencies that they didn't use all that much anyway.

AA is resented by a lot of other airlines for this strategy that they commonly use. They hold on to flight frequencies but under-utilize them to keep fares high. . . AND hurt (block out) their competitors.

It's anti-competitive and anti-consumer. So the DOT finally calls them on their Colombia BS and slaps them on the wrist, (they only lose one daily frequency) and they have the chutzpah to complain and appeal. I'm not sure how much bureaucratic bs is involved in the next steps but I really hope the DOT gets them to stfu asap.

I was able to snag one of those super-low Spirit fares for their new New York to Cartagena route for just under $300, when NYC to CTG is usually around $700!!

Keep an eye out when they announce BOG, they'll probably have a really good deal.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Mar 12, 2008, 00:09:

That was a good booty! $300

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Mar 12, 2008, 05:58:

I totally agree with you drob.... I just wish I booked when I first saw it!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Saltador says on Mar 12, 2008, 08:17:

I'm going Round Trip Chicago- Fort Lauderdale- Cartagena for 400...Adios Avianca!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 12, 2008, 09:40:

Ha Ha. I didn't realize that AA had lost a route, but GOOD. The additional Houston route should have been given to another airline. Continental has the only flights to Colombia from Houston and as a result, charge outrageous prices.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

panthdave says on Mar 12, 2008, 09:43:

This really sucks too for S.Florida only Cartegena and Bogota will be involved with Spirit.

Medellin and Cali don't see anything...In which was hoping Medellin would have some different options on discounted airlines.

panthdave Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

NJ C Rep says on Mar 12, 2008, 13:59:

I can't wait until they announce....

0 funny, 0 helpful.