Colombian airline Viva Air it completely suspended its operations on Monday night and they left their planes grounded and for the time being no response to passengers which were blocked. The Air company it had started flying to Argentina in mid-Junewith an initial frequency of eight weekly flights, four from Bogotá and four from Medellín.
On the night of Monday 27, the airline issued a statement in which it denounced the “temporary suspension” of its flights “given the lack of a timely definition by Aeronautica Civile (equivalent to Colombia’s ANAC) of the alliance between Viva and Avianca”.
The cessation of operations does not contemplate the possibility that passengers can use tickets already purchased on another airline. Nor does it offer alternatives to those stuck in the middle of their journey, with return tickets.
“We inform passengers on ongoing flights with Viva that, for now, we will not be able to honor your travel plans and we will inform you in a timely manner on the steps to be taken following this decision,” the airline said on its website.
The merger process between Viva and Avianca has been contested by several competing airlinesincluding Aerolíneas Argentinas. Colombian media have reported that there is hundreds blocked at José María Cordova de Rionegro airport, in the city of Medellín, where Viva Air has its operational base. At least one of the flights canceled so far It was towards Ezeiza.
It is not entirely clear if this cessation of operations will be maintained indefinitely or if it is a form of pressure by the airline, as the statement itself states that the reason for the closure is that they do not authorize it to merge with Avianca.
“Today (Monday 27) the Civil Aeronautics issued a Communication acknowledging the interests of various third parties on Viva’s urgent request to enable its integration with a stronger and broader group of airlines. this decision, unprecedented by the entity, will result in further delays in making a decision, so Viva is sadly forced to announce the suspension of its operations effective immediately,” the company said.
“After more than seven months of delays by the entity, Viva has presented numerous proofs to the Colombian government to demonstrate that it is in a critical financial situation, assuring that the only way it can continue to fly is for the Civil Aeronautics to consent is part of a stronger and better capitalized group of airlines.On the other hand, its decision today calls into question the future of low-cost air service in Colombia and jeopardizes the jobs of more than 5,000 Colombians, who you directly and indirectly depend on Viva,” he added.
Viva Air is owned by the international group Ireland and also the investment fund Cartesianthe same people who control the airline here in Argentina flybondi.
In the last months of 2022, the airline showed up in preventive competitionafter the Colombian government rejected its request to be absorbed by Avianca.
“For weeks now, the Civil Air Force has had everything needed to issue a decision. They have had the full legal capacity and authority to issue such a decision without further delay,” Viva’s statement read. “The government has been advised, on several occasions, that enabling Viva to become the low-cost subsidiary of a larger and stronger airline group will allow the airline to continue to offer Colombian travelers access to affordable low rates, efficient service and, of course, continuing to deliver on its promise to connect the most remote cities with anywhere in the world.”
The airline’s frequencies had dropped significantly as it returned planes to lessees.
Regarding stranded passengers, the airline only assigns one paragraph at the end of its release, without further definitions.
“For those passengers affected by our suspension of operations, please come in www.vivaair.com for more information; or if you wish, may await instructions from the Civil Air Forcewho has publicly stated that they will put plans in place to help affected passengers.”
Source: Clarin
