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Both airlines call for structural changes to prevent future disruptions in Jet A1 supply.
After facing significant operational challenges due to a shortage of aviation fuel, LATAM Airlines Colombia and Avianca have announced the normalization of their operations following the resumption of Jet A1 supply at all airports across the country.
LATAM Airlines Colombia received confirmation from its fuel distributors that supply will be restored starting on August 28th, allowing the airline to resume its scheduled flights for the remainder of the month. “Nevertheless, the company will continue to monitor the inventory status of its distributors at each airport until we have complete peace of mind,” said Santiago Álvarez, CEO of LATAM Airlines Colombia.
Avianca also confirmed that its main fuel supplier had lifted previous restrictions, enabling the airline to reopen sales on all routes and maintain its published schedules. Frederico Pedreira, CEO of Grupo Avianca, emphasized the need for improved coordination among supply chain actors to prevent future disruptions.
Both airlines have implemented protective measures for affected passengers. LATAM rebooked travelers with flights scheduled for August 27th and offers the option to change their tickets without penalty for up to a year. Similarly, Avianca allows penalty-free changes for tickets confirmed between August 25th and September 4th.
The recent crisis also highlights the need to review policies related to aviation fuel supply in Colombia. LATAM Airlines Colombia has suggested measures such as allowing Jet A1 imports by Ecopetrol and other entities and increasing the production capacity of existing refineries. Avianca agrees on the importance of better planning and coordination to ensure fuel availability and prevent future interruptions.
In the meantime, both companies will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the continuity of their operations and minimize any further impact on their customers’ travel plans.
