Avianca halts Medellin-Buenos Aires flights as JetSMART steps into the route

Avianca announced the suspension of its daily direct route between Medellin (MDE) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), effective 1 December 2026, with the final service scheduled for 30 November 2026. The carrier currently operates the rotation with Airbus A320neo aircraft under flight numbers AV111 and AV112 as the sole operator.

The withdrawal comes as ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART prepares to enter the Medellin-Ezeiza market on 12 November 2026 with five weekly flights, offering approximately 1,860 seats weekly.

Concurrently, Aerocivil notices published in early October 2026 revealed that Avianca Costa Rica S.A. Sucursal Colombia requested regulatory approval to operate San Jose (SJO)–Bogota (BOG)–Ezeiza (EZE). The application covers 14 weekly frequencies utilizing Airbus A319, A320, and A320neo aircraft with fifth-freedom traffic rights, enabling local passenger and cargo carriage between Bogota and Buenos Aires. The Colombian authority highlighted that this filing marks the initiation of the administrative process under Colombian Aeronautical Regulations rather than a granted authorization.

Avianca stated that affected ticketed passengers will be rebooked across its network, primarily via Bogota, or granted penalty-free date adjustments and refunds.