PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

US Dept. of Trans. (DOT) Finalizes 28 new US-Colombia routes

I've tried to break out the more specific parts. It's a very long read. Here's the original link to the .pdf version of the DOT's decision.

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ContentViewer?objectId=090000648...

"By this Order, we make final our tentative findings and conclusions set forth in Order 2008-3-4 with respect to allocation of 21 U.S.-Colombia frequencies newly available under the U.S.-Colombia Air Transport Agreement and reallocation of seven weekly U.S.-Colombia combination frequencies currently allocated to American Airlines, Inc. (American), resulting in a total of 28 frequencies allocated in this proceeding.

Specifically, we award Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Delta), JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue), Spirit Airlines, Inc. (Spirit), and Continental Airlines, Inc. (Continental) seven frequencies each, along with underlying economic authority, as needed, to provide combination services in the U.S.-Colombia market as follows:

1) Delta for its proposed New York (JFK)-Bogota services, effective immediately;

2) JetBlue for its proposed Orlando-Bogota services, effective immediately;

3) Spirit for its proposed Ft. Lauderdale-Bogota services, effective immediately;

and 4) Continental for its proposed Houston-Bogota services, effective October 1, 2008.

Background
On September 28, 2007, the governments of the United States and the Republic of Colombia agreed, among other things, to increase the number of weekly frequencies available to carriers of each country for scheduled combination services, with U.S. carriers being authorized to operate a total of 91 weekly combination frequencies between the United States and Colombian points that are subject to frequency limitations. The agreement is referred to here as the 2007 Understanding.

The 2007 Understanding also provides that scheduled combination services to the Colombian cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena de Indias are not subject to frequency limitations. As a result of the 2007 Understanding, the United States may allocate to U.S. carriers a total of 21 additional weekly combination frequencies in three stages, with seven frequencies available for institution of service effective on each of the following dates:

December 1, 2007;
April 1, 2008;
and October 1, 2008.

Economic Authority
We grant Delta, JetBlue, and Spirit exemption authority for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and effective immediately. We note that Continental currently holds certificate authority to provide Houston-Bogota service on Route 645, granted by Order 2001-12-8, in Docket DOT-OST-1996-1318.

We will impose a startup condition for each award. The frequencies we are awarding to Delta, JetBlue and Spirit are available immediately. Therefore, we will require that Delta, JetBlue, and Spirit begin service within 90 days of issuance of this order. The frequencies we are awarding to Continental are effective October 1, 2008, and Continental has stated that it would be prepared to institute service on that date. Therefore, we will require that Continental institute service on October 1.

In addition, consistent with our standard practice, the frequencies allocated in this proceeding are subject to our standard 90-day dormancy condition, wherein any frequencies not operated for a period of 90 days (once inaugurated) would be deemed dormant. Under the dormancy condition, if any of the frequencies allocated are not used for a period of 90 days (once inaugurated), the frequency allocation with respect to each frequency would expire automatically and the frequency would revert to the Department for reallocation.

By toneloc24 on May 29, 2008, 14:24 in Friendly Talkzone.

sanandressi says on May 29, 2008, 14:31:

Spirit starts service on July 22nd but someone at airliners.net says that the Orlando Bogota service by Jetblue is on hold due to a lawsuit by American Airlines claiming they should have those rights. Continental already serves Bogota and Cali from Houston and Delta adds a service that Avianca operates.

Supposedly, AIRES, wants to fly to the US from somewhere in Colombia provided they can get a 737 or A-319-320...?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on May 29, 2008, 14:41:

This is good news. More competition from low price carriers is badly needed. Too bad Continental retains its monopoly on the Houston - Bogota routes. Their prices are outrageous. These days you'd be doing well to get a nonstop fare with Continental for under a grand. It costs less to fly from LA to Bogota nonstop. That is nothing short of abusive pricing by Continental. That's why I only take that flight when I get a free ticket using airmiles. Screw them.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

lampltr says on May 29, 2008, 14:59:

QUE? WTF CG, your not serious are you....then you have to pay the outrageous prices to have some alcohol!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on May 29, 2008, 15:08:

Huh? Alcohol? Sorry but that one went right over my head.

Sadly, about the cheapest ticket that can be had on these flights costs upwards of $800. However, those "cheap" seats are pretty limited. I was looking for a ticket for a flight in June and the wanted $1,250. Granted, i was looking only six weeks in advance, but you shouldn't have to buy a ticket six months early to get an $850 flight to Bogota.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

panthdave says on May 29, 2008, 15:10:

Again no Medellin Damn

panthdave Miami

0 funny, 0 helpful.

toneloc24 says on May 29, 2008, 16:10:

sanandressi - The JetBlue part is not true. Read the link. JetBlue and Spirit CAN start flying to Bogota tomorrow. They have 90 days to get up and running, too. This is the final confirmation by the DOT, even after AA's appeals were heard.

The AA situation had NOTHING to do with JetBlue. JetBlue to Bogota is on hold because they can't afford to compete under the current fuel price situation. There are stories on this already.

JetBlue might lose those frequencies also as a result of not abiding by the terms of this ruling. This is exactly how AA lost the 7 MIA-BAQ frequencies, and also what Continental is being held to the fire over.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on May 29, 2008, 16:42:

Maaaaaaan, I was hoping this would be sooner. I'm moving back to the United Sterile States come 2 weeks or so.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on May 29, 2008, 16:43:

Hey bufalo, Did you ever get your wife's flight situation worked out?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on May 29, 2008, 17:01:

Just posted about it. She and our daughter moved to NY today. I'm solo for 2 weeks or so while I wrap things up. Thanks for the help.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on May 29, 2008, 17:07:

Cool. Glad that worked out for you. Good luck wrapping up your project.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

OneHappyBoy says on May 29, 2008, 18:05:

yes, it sucks a guy has to piece together flights between the States and Colombia, (SA for that matter) to get a decent price!!! If it wasn't for COPA air, $1k minimum to get to Bogota. It costs less to fly from Seattle to London than Seattle to Bogota..

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BillBigD says on May 29, 2008, 20:44:

Don't see it getting any better anytime soon. IMO

0 funny, 0 helpful.