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Yupi! More Flights To Colombia In The Future

Delta Air Lines Seeks DOT Approval for Three New Routes to Colombia

Proposed additional service would increase number of nonstop flights to 21

ATLANTA, Dec. 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) continues to move forward with plans to expand service to Colombia with new service to Cali and Medellin from the world's largest passenger hub in Atlanta, and also between Bogota and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airline today amended its application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the increased service to Colombia which, if approved, would supplement Delta's existing daily nonstop service between Atlanta and Bogota, which began in December 2000.

Delta's proposed new flights to Colombia will offer daily nonstop service to Bogota from JFK, and nonstop service to Cali and Medellin from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Medellin service would operate four times per week, and the service to Cali would operate three times per week under Delta's proposal.

"With these new flights, Delta will be one of few airlines to offer direct access to Bogota from New York, and the only U.S. airline to offer nonstop flights to Medellin and Cali from Atlanta," said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president and chief of Network and Revenue Management. "Not only will Colombian travelers have easy access to two thriving U.S. cities, but also will benefit from the connectivity these two airports offer, to more than 300 destinations worldwide."

If approved, the new flights to Colombia will complement Delta's 14 new routes to Latin America and the Caribbean slated to begin between December 2007 and April 2008, five of which will operate from New York-JFK: Panama City, Panama (effective Dec.13); Guatemala City, Guatemala (effective Dec. 14); Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (effective Dec. 20); Liberia, Costa Rica (effective Feb. 16) and San Jose, Costa Rica (effective Feb 16). Other new routes include Atlanta-Queretaro, Mexico (effective Jan. 14); Orlando-Cancun, Mexico (effective Feb. 2); Atlanta-Bonaire (effective Feb. 9); and New York-LaGuardia-Bermuda (effective April 5).

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 324 destinations in 58 countries. Since 2005, Delta has added more international capacity than any other major U.S. airline and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 36 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 650 weekly flights to 61 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 15,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 489 worldwide destinations in 106 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

By Medellin Traveler on Dec 6, 2007, 20:30 in Friendly Talkzone.

Gary Bala says on Dec 6, 2007, 22:12:

Many thanks for the update.

Spirit Air has also applied for service to Colombia, and apparently has won DOT (Dept. of Transportation) approval to fly to Cartagena from Ft. Lauderdale.

As many people know, Jet Blue and US Airways also have applications pending with DOT for air service to Bogota in 2008.

More competition, better fares and more air travel choices will be available in 2008.

Spirit air plan flights to Colombia.
Tuesday, 4th December 2007
Source : Spirit Airlines

Entrance to Cartagena is possible as a result of initiatives taken by the Colombian Government in releasing tariff floors- extending bilateral agreements with the U.S. and the inclusion of Cartagena in open skies.

In the coming months, passengers will have a new alternative in flying to Cartagena, Colombia from Fort Lauderdale. Spirit Airlines has received authorization from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin service between the U.S. and Colombia, and is currently working through the Colombian regulatory process in order to begin operating the first ultra low cost carrier (ULCC) service to Colombia.

Spirit Airlines plans to begin operations from Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena aboard its fleet of Airbus 319 aircraft. In addition, Spirit is looking to initiate operations to other Colombian cities subject to the necessary government authorizations, and will service the market with fares lower than current competitive fares.

Spirit will service the operations to Colombia with a fleet of Airbus 319s with a capacity of 144 passengers, which will increase travel opportunities for travelers to Colombia from South Florida, and its connecting network throughout the United States, with its signature ultra low fares.

“We would like to applaud President Uribe’s vision for seeing Cartagena as a tourism and industrial capital of the Caribbean," said Barry Biffle, Spirit’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Spirit will do our part in supporting his vision by providing low fare access to fuel the growth."

About Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines, Inc. is the Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and Caribbean. Its all-Airbus fleet, the youngest in the Americas, flies more than 200 daily flights to 39 destinations. The company is based in Miramar, Florida, and employs 2,300 professionals.

URL: http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_nshw.php?mwi=3787

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toneloc24 says on Dec 7, 2007, 07:11:

GIB - If there is any blame to share, it ALL starts with American Airlines, who have been squatting on 14 existing weekly routes for years without using them.

Only when Delta, Spirit, Jet Blue, and Continental applied for those unused existing routes did AA decide to implement "new" service to Medellin and Barranquilla.

It's like that all over the Caribbean and Latin America where AA is involved.

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

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Dec 7, 2007, 07:54:

The Gringos are coming!!!!

hehe i just want to say that ;))))

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john_stark says on Dec 7, 2007, 17:32:

Hurrah! Let's milk them!

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Miguel says on Dec 7, 2007, 22:36:

You guys and gals will be very happy with Spirit and the fares from Miami to Cartagena...service starts 7feb08.

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panthdave says on Dec 8, 2007, 10:10:

This is great this will drive American to be careful on there pricing to MDE from MIA..Personally they have the best flight for times that 6PM flight and the morning flight back.and love there self kiosk check in with no bags...I can arrive late and have no problems in MIA..

panthdave Miami

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Medellin Traveler says on Dec 8, 2007, 14:51:

I hope that changes are forthcoming for departures out of Chicago. All my options have me arriving at 9:00pm. It's a waste of a whole freakin' day!!!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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goin_south says on Dec 8, 2007, 14:54:

I think I've always arrived, as well, between 8:30 and 11:20 pm. No matter which city.
not all that bad, though, with some sleep on the plane...
Ready for the party,... upon arriving

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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