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Statement on Civil Aeronautics decision

 

Bogotá, March 22, 2023.  

  • After having reported in 2022 on the acquisition of the economic rights of Viva Air by the controlling shareholders of Avianca, (transaction covered by Resolution 10390 of 2015 of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce), and having requested the integration of both companies more than seven months ago to the Civil Aeronautics -Aerocivil - in the context of the evident financial crisis of the low-cost, Avianca received the notification of approval with conditions by the Civil Aeronautics yesterday.

    Viva Air no longer has the same capabilities - route network, aircraft, workers - that it had before the temporary suspension of its operations, a factor that must be analyzed in detail to determine the relevance of the conditions established by the Civil Aeronautics.

    According to the Civil Aeronautics, this decision may be appealed and reconsidered, not only by Avianca, but also by the interested third parties recognized by the authority in the process (LATAM, Wingo, Ultra Air and Aerolíneas Argentinas), so that the approval with conditions is not yet final.  Until this happens, Avianca is not authorized to intervene in the operational or financial situation of Viva Airlines, nor will it be able to resolve, as required by the resolution, the situation of the users affected by the low-cost airline.  

  • Regardless of the above and in response to the needs of users who have been affected by this situation, Avianca will continue to offer those with confirmed tickets alternatives for their relocation:

1. Free of charge until March 24, subject to seat availability and on a first-come, first-served basis at the airport. 

2. Through special protection fares that allow seat confirmation. 

  • To date and in order to preserve the stability of the Colombian air system, Avianca has protected more than 70,000 users on 103 routes (61,000 on domestic Colombia and 9,000 on international routes), has provided five additional aircraft and has placed 56 exclusive counters at airports to serve the situation.
  • The diligence of the authorities is essential to find a solution to safeguard the existence of what remains of the low-cost pioneer in Colombia.