JetSMART gets Colombia's nod to start domestic certification process

Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV

08/03/2023 15:49

BOGOTA, March 8 (Reuters) - JetSMART Airlines has
obtained a green light from Colombia's civil aviation regulator
to start a process that would allow it to operate as a domestic
carrier in the South American country, the Civil Aviation
Authority said.
    The approval comes as Chile-based JetSMART looks to buy
Colombian low-cost carrier Viva Air, a move that could scupper
Viva's plans to merge with Colombian flag carrier Avianca
 AVT_p.CN  - a deal previously rejected by the regulator.
    According to an agency statement released late on Tuesday,
Indigo Partners-backed JetSMART would have Bogota as its main
base and use Airbus A320-271 Neo aircraft to cover 27 routes
linking cities such as Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, Cali,
Barranquilla and San Andres.
    JetSMART had announced late in February its intention to
acquire Viva, which halted operations a week ago amid a
financial crisis.
    "Taking into account the proposed frequencies for 27
requested routes, the company must now submit a compliance plan
based on the number of aircraft and the number of routes that
will operate," the regulator said in a statement late on
Tuesday.
    In a separate statement, JetSMART said it would immediately
start the process to meet all the Colombian requirements in the
shortest possible time so it can obtain the license, something
that must happen within two years.
    JetSMART, which currently serves more than 79 routes in
South America, is part of private investor Indigo Partners'
portfolio of budget airlines alongside U.S.-based Frontier
Airlines, Europe's Wizz Air, Canada's Lynx, Asia's CebuPacific
and Mexico's Volaris.

 (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
 ((Gabriel.Araujo2@thomsonreuters.com; +55 11 5047-3352;))