Avianca inaugurated its new Bogotá-Santo Domingo route, with the first direct flight arriving at this terminal, replete with tourists and Diplomats from Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

"These weekly flights are going to be extremely useful for commerce, tourism, and are a huge step in the consolidation of bilateral relations”

The Airbus A-319 with 120 passenger capacity (12 in Business and 108 in Tourist Class), belongs to a new Avianca fleet and was greeted on the runway with the traditional arch of water amidst applause from Colombians and Dominicans present at the landing, according to a press release from the Tourism Ministry’s Office of Press and Communications.

Mónica Maria Velásquez, General Manager of Avianca in the Dominican Republic, underscored the importance of the flight for both countries. Flights will be available from Bogotá on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays with time schedules to be adjusted for international as well as Colombian connections.

“This new route is more than just an option within the company’s expansion plan, it is a service offered by Avianca to passengers who travel for business, tourism and family affairs and who require direct service” between AILA and the El Dorado International Airport, said the Avianca executive.

She added that Avianca flies to more than 750 destinations in the world and, between 2008 and 2012, the company will be adding more than 70 planes, including Airbus A330, A320, A319 and Boeing 7117.

Julio Ortega Tous, Dominican Ambassador to Colombia reminded reporters that these direct flights were among the goals laid out by President Leonel Fernández when he assumed his diplomatic functions last year.

"These weekly flights are going to be extremely useful for commerce, tourism, and are a huge step in the consolidation of bilateral relations,” said Mr. Ortega Tous.

Ken Hassard, Commercial Director of Dominican Airports of the 21st Century, Aerodom, also spoke in similar terms, pointing to the accumulated prestige enjoyed by Avianca, an airline company that dates back to 1919.

The flight, that arrived at 5:40 p.m., was carrying Ortega Tous; former Ambassador to the DR and currently a senator in Colombia Luis Emilio Sierra and his wife Liliana Martínez Cardona; Juan Martínez, Consul General of the DR in Colombia, as well as Colombian tourists such as a pair of siblings Frankiun and Angelinun Varila who were visiting the DR for the first time. They said the “flight was great and the service on board was excellent.”

Later came the cutting of the official ribbon followed by various toasts. The ceremony was then livened up by the sounds of Perico Ripiao played by a traditional musical group and ballet dancers from the Ministry of Tourism.

Present at the ceremony were embassy officials representing the Colombian Ambassador, Juan José Chaux Mosquera; Rafael Tejada, Foreign Ministry official from the Colombian Embassy in the DR; Hugo Villareal, Avianca’s Director of North American and Caribbean Airports; members of the airport community and invited members of the press.

Tickets for the Bogotá-Santo Domingo flights are available from June 14 through the reservation system. Get more information by calling the Call Center 1 800 751 0129, or talk with your preferred travel agent.

AVIANCA FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Flight Number	Route	Departure time	Arrival  time	Frequency
AV0250	Bogotá-Santo Domingo	2:00 p.m.	5:30 p.m.	Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
AV0251	Santo Domingo- Bogotá	6:35 p.m.	8:15 p.m.	Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

Mónica Maria Velásquez, Avianca General Manager for the Dominican Republic, as she cuts the ribbon officially opening the new direct route. Accompanying her are Avianca officials, diplomats and functionaries from the Tourism Ministry.

Mónica Maria Velásquez and Julio Ortega Tous, Dominican Ambassador to Colombia, during the cutting of the ribbon launching the new Avianca Santo Domingo- Bogotá direct flight.