Emirates Airlines arrived in Colombia after years of strategic planning

MIAMI, FL. – In a historic event for Colombia’s air connectivity, Emirates Airlines inaugurated its new route between Dubai and Bogotá, with a stopover in Miami, on June 3rd. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with a capacity of 354 seats, landed at El Dorado Airport in Bogotá, marking the beginning of a new era in the country’s international connections.

On June 5th, a celebration event was held with the participation of Colombian authorities to commemorate this arrival. This new flight is the result of meticulous work done over several years, involving a coordinated strategy among various entities such as ProColombia, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, El Dorado Airport in Bogotá, the Civil Aviation Authority, strategic industry allies, and destination promotion organizations. This new route represents a significant advancement in Colombia’s economic and tourism strategy by strengthening ties with Middle Eastern markets, known for their high level of spending, and by enhancing business and opportunities stemming from agreements between Colombia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

ProColombia’s initiative to attract high-income travelers has yielded significant results, making tourism the main generator of foreign currency not related to the mining-energy sector. This success is reflected in the remarkable increase in the historical record of foreign currency generated in the country in recent years. For illustration, by the end of 2023, the figure reached nearly 9 billion dollars, representing a 22.4% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the most recent data from the third quarter of 2024 indicates a 19% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

“These numbers demonstrate the positive impact of Colombia’s tourism promotion strategy and its narrative of ‘The Country of Beauty,’ while this new route is part of consolidating the country’s position as an attractive destination for high-income travelers. Furthermore, the inclusion of a world-renowned airline like Emirates, which will offer first-class, business class, and its renowned service, promises to further enrich the opportunities for our country,” explained Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, the promotion agency of the country.

At the launch of services to Bogotá via Miami, Salem Obaidalla, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Americas at Emirates, said: “At Emirates, we are excited to launch our daily service to Bogotá and to connect Colombia with the Middle East and beyond. Our new service will also have convenient access to Miami to allow users to enjoy unprecedented premium experiences on the ground and in the air. The addition of Bogotá to our growing global network of more than 130 destinations allows us to strengthen our coverage in the Americas, reaching 19 points, and enhances our ability to deliver better connectivity and expand options for travelers while providing our signature premium services.”

He added, “With the status of the Colombian capital as the largest metropolitan center in South America, we are pleased that our services will support tourism in Bogotá for the first time, as well as the commercial and vital links between Dubai and the northern Latin America region. We want to thank the authorities of the United Arab Emirates and Colombia for their efforts to make this new destination possible.”

How did the airline arrive in the country?

The initial steps for the airline’s arrival in the country began in 2018, with Colombia’s participation in key commercial events in the aviation industry such as Routes Americas, an air route development fair, where Colombian representatives, led by major international airports, promoted the country to international airlines. This commitment continued with the visit of Emirates representatives to Colombia in March of the same year, where they explored market opportunities and met with government authorities.

“The achievement of this triangular route represents a significant milestone in Colombia’s economic and tourism development strategy, providing new opportunities for trade exchange and attracting foreign investment from the Middle East and distant markets. Furthermore, it reflects the country’s commitment to promoting tourism and opening its skies to new opportunities and international operators. The constant work of ProColombia, along with the country’s aviation industry allies, was key to reaching this stage,” stated Carmen Caballero.

Participation in Expo Dubai was also crucial, facilitating high-level meetings between Colombian officials and airline representatives. Through these meetings and the delivery of detailed reports on air connectivity, traveler flow, air export products, and the country’s stability, Colombia demonstrated its capacity to meet the growing demand for air travel to and from the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world.

Results and figures for international air connectivity

In 2024, and in response to the goal of attracting new companies to the country, an increase in Colombia’s international connections is anticipated with the incorporation of new routes and the arrival of the new Brazilian airline GOL, which announced new routes Buenos Aires – Bogotá and São Paulo – Bogotá for this year. Additionally, LATAM will inaugurate the Madrid – Bogotá route and Avianca will launch routes from Montreal – Bogotá and Aruba – Medellín.

The trust in Colombia by airlines and destinations has been reflected in the implementation of new international air routes. As of May, Colombia has 28 international airlines connecting 11 Colombian cities with 28 countries and 51 international cities. By the end of 2023, more than 64,600 frequencies and over 11.8 million seats were recorded, demonstrating that the country has surpassed its pre-pandemic capacity and ranks in the top 3 Latin American countries with the greatest air capacity, along with Mexico and Brazil. For that year, the opening of 21 new routes was announced, highlighting the attractiveness and potential the country has for international tourism.

Among these announcements, the news of Colombia’s first connection with Switzerland through Edelweiss Air stands out. The airline began seasonal operations on November 22, 2023, until May 2024, offering the connection between Zurich with Bogotá and Cartagena, with 2 weekly flights.

The article Emirates Airlines arrived in Colombia after years of strategic planning first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.