RECENT TENTATIVE AWARDINGS OF NEW FLIGHT RIGHTS

Waterdawg says on Mar 5, 2008, 14:00:

April 1st for Bog to Orlando ( cool ) Any info on the start up on the other routes ??

toneloc24 says on Mar 5, 2008, 14:32:

It's only to BOGOTA for all of them. LOL!!!

What happened to the applications to Medellin, Cali and the coast? That sucks.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080305/us_colombia_flights.html?.v=1

4 Airlines Given New Flights to Colombia
Wednesday March 5, 5:00 pm ET
Transportation Dept. Awards Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, Continental Flights to Bogota, Colombia

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Delta, JetBlue, Spirit and Continental Airlines have been granted preliminary approval to operate one new daily flight each between the U.S. and Bogota, Colombia.

The Transportation Department said Wednesday it selected those four airlines over US Airways Group, which had applied for service from Charlotte, N.C., and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, which sought to retain a flight it currently holds for additional service between Miami and Bogota.

The proposal would reallocate one daily U.S.-Colombia flight currently held by American, and have the 21 new weekly flights be phased-in by the end of the year. Three of the new daily flights were made available by a September aviation agreement that increased to 91 from 70 the number of weekly flights U.S. carriers may operate between the two countries.

Delta Air Lines' flight will depart from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue Airways Corp.'s from Orlando, Spirit Airlines from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Continental Airlines from Houston.

If the tentative decision finalized, Delta may begin its new services immediately, JetBlue and Spirit on April 1, and Continental on Oct. 1.

Objections to the order must be filed within 14 calendar days and answers are due seven days later. The department will issue a final decision following the comment period.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

ColombianoGringo says on Mar 5, 2008, 14:42:

This is great news. Jet Blue should hopefully have some good fares. I heard that the Spirit route was FTL - Cartagena. Is this in addition to that, or instead?

They should have given someone else the Houston - Bogota route, but at least it will give another option besides arriving into Bogota at 9PM. Also, more of the lower fare seats will be available on the Houston flights, so it should be easier to get the cheaper fare.

toneloc24 says on Mar 5, 2008, 15:03:

Also should add Spirit Ft Lauderdale - Cartagena starts May 8th, 2008. Starts at $88 one-way plus taxes. Found that on the Spirit website.

I'm guessing it's part of the Open Skies agreement, which is different from this announcement.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

muchacho_escondido says on Mar 5, 2008, 15:24:

How about some flights to the West or Southwest of the US? That way people flying from CA, OR, WA, NV or BC will have an easier time connecting then through Miami, Atlanta, New York or Houston...A lot of low-costers on many routes within that region too.

Currently the only option is Avianca's tri-weekly BOG-LAX service. That's kind of rare, especially for those with tight schedules. I guess as long as there isn't more demand, Avianca can't really increase the capacity. I wish they could make the planes smaller (they use B767's now) and make them fly more frequently. I know Avianca is getting some Airbus 320-series aircraft. I think it'd be great if they put those on the BOG-LAX route and make the flights daily. A319's actually have the necessary range, I believe.