A newly-expanded air transport agreement between Canada and Colombia will allow designated airlines of both countries to operate an unlimited number of passengers and cargo flights within the two countries.
The previous accord allowed only 14 passenger and 14 cargo flights per week.
In the last five years, Canada's tourist numbers arriving in the South American country have had an average growth of 48.28 per cent, making Canada an important source of international travellers to Colombia.
"As we work towards strengthening a more conscious and community-led tourism industry, we celebrate this news that will allow us to keep showing Colombia as a sustainable and biodiverse destination to a larger number of North American travellers," said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the promotion agency of Colombia, which is part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism.
"We would like Canadians to realize that Colombia is closer than most people think, only 5.5 hours away from Toronto and 7 hours away from Montreal, and since we are a tropical country, weather is warm enough all year long," Caballero added.
Currently, twelve weekly flights connect YYZ directly with BOG and CTG, operated by Air Canada and Avianca. In addition, four direct weekly Air Canada and Air Transat flights connect YUL to BOG and CTG. Colombia is currently Canada's most extensive South American international air transport market.
According to Canada's Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, "This significantly expanded agreement will improve connectivity for passengers and businesses in Canada and Colombia and demonstrates our commitment to enhancing air services with Latin America. Our government will continue to strengthen our economy and our air sector, and this expanded agreement will help Canadian businesses do just that".
For more information about visiting Colombia, please visit the official Colombia Tourism Guide.
