Colombia aviation: short term pressures but still strong prospects

Colombia's stature as one of Latin America's fastest growing aviation markets remains largely intact, but the country's airlines are facing short term challenges as fuel prices continue to rise and currency pressure mounts.

But some forecasts are showing Colombia's GDP is likely to expand by 2.8% in 2018, followed by growth of up to 3.6% in 2019. That bodes well for the future of the country's airlines, and Colombia's second and third largest operators - LATAM Airlines Colombia and Viva Colombia - have ambitions to expand their positions in the Colombian market.

LATAM Airlines Colombia acknowledges short term pressures but believes the market will remain solid during the next couple of years, and Viva Air Colombia has plans for further expansion.