Andean countries seek 'single sky' to boost air travel

Authorities from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru are collaborating on a proposal to establish a "single Andean sky." This initiative aims to significantly improve regional air connectivity, lower operational costs, and simplify travel for individuals moving between these Community of Andean Nations (CAN) member states.

The "Cielos Andinos" (Andean Skies) forum, held in Quito, served as the platform for discussing this forward-thinking proposal. Government representatives, international organizations, and key players from the aviation industry gathered to debate a roadmap for modernizing regulations and boosting the sector's overall competitiveness.

“

to build an integrated subregional market that reduces costs, improves connectivity, facilitates the transit of people, and strengthens the economic, tourism, and cultural integration of our countries

Ecuador's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alejandro Dávalos, emphasized the proposal's goal: "to build an integrated subregional market that reduces costs, improves connectivity, facilitates the transit of people, and strengthens the economic, tourism, and cultural integration of our countries." This vision underscores a commitment to deeper regional cooperation through enhanced air travel.

Gonzalo Gutiérrez, the Secretary General of CAN, highlighted the current state of air travel within the region. In 2024, airports in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru managed a total of 40 million international passengers. Of these, 6.47 million traveled between the Andean countries themselves, representing 16.2% of the subregion's total international traffic. Gutiérrez acknowledged that while this figure shows improvement, there is substantial potential to further promote connectivity among Andean nations.

“

If well is a figure that is improving, still more can be done to promote connectivity between the Andean countries