If you’ve been thinking about visiting Colombia, you’re not alone. In the first half of 2025, the country experienced a surge in air travel unlike anything seen before. According to industry reports, flight activity grew by more than 9% compared to the same period in 2024, making Colombia one of Latin America’s fastest-growing aviation hubs.
Whether you’re drawn to the colonial streets of Cartagena, the urban energy of Bogotá, or the coffee-soaked hills of Salento, getting there and getting around is becoming easier and more efficient.
But what’s behind this sudden uptick in Colombian air traffic? And more importantly, what does it mean for you as a traveler?
Let’s unpack the key developments fueling this aviation boom – and how it could shape your next trip.
More Flights, More Flexibility
One of the most significant shifts travelers will notice is a growing number of flight options. According to Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority, over 110 new international routes were approved in the last year alone. Airlines from North America, Europe, and Latin America are expanding their operations to cities like Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena – not just Bogotá, which traditionally absorbed most of the country’s international traffic.
January 2025 set the tone early: more than 5.1 million travelers passed through Colombian airports in a single month. That includes 2.86 million domestic travelers and 2.25 million international ones – a sharp year-over-year increase.
For travelers, this means cheaper fares, more direct connections, and more options for regional exploration. Want to hop from Bogotá to Santa Marta after a jungle trek in Leticia? Odds are, there’s now a direct flight for that.
Cartagena Is Having a Moment
While Bogotá remains the country’s aviation nerve center, Cartagena has been a standout story. In January 2025 alone, Rafael Núñez International Airport recorded a 14% growth in air traffic. The jump includes a 12% increase in domestic passengers and an impressive 21% surge in international travel.
Why the spike? Cartagena’s magnetic mix of history, Caribbean beaches, and luxury tourism is drawing travelers from across the Americas and Europe. With improved infrastructure and more international routes being added, it’s also becoming a strategic second hub for many airlines.
If you’re planning a beach escape or a cultural city break, this could be the perfect jumping-off point.
Major Airport Upgrades Are Underway
To keep pace with demand, Colombia is investing heavily in aviation infrastructure. The most ambitious project? A $3.1 billion expansion of El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Already one of the busiest in Latin America, the upgraded facility is expected to increase capacity, reduce delays, and enhance the passenger experience through automated services, expanded terminals, and better connectivity.
Other regional airports—in cities like Medellín, Pereira, and Cali—are also undergoing renovations, with better lounges, smarter baggage handling systems, and additional gates to accommodate more flights.
These developments might not grab headlines like jungle hikes or salsa nights, but for travelers, they translate into smoother trips and less time waiting in lines.
Smarter Travel Services Are Stepping Up
As Colombia modernizes its aviation sector, travel services are evolving in parallel to help passengers navigate changing entry requirements. One such example is Colombia Check-Mig, a service that assists travelers with Colombia’s mandatory pre-arrival migration form.
Colombia Check-Mig offers multi-language support, step-by-step application assistance, and priority services for last-minute travelers. It also integrates embassy registration for travelers from countries like the U.S., Canada, and the UK – a helpful safety feature for longer stays. With Check-Mig being mandatory for all travelers entering or exiting Colombia, having a smooth submission can save a lot of unnecessary stress at the airport.
Green Skies and Open Borders
Another key factor contributing to Colombia’s aviation growth is its international cooperation strategy. The country has recently signed new open-skies agreements with countries like Argentina and is actively negotiating with others. This liberalization enables airlines to operate with fewer restrictions, resulting in more routes and competitive fares.
In tandem, Colombia is also embracing sustainable aviation practices, including a recent partnership with Sweden to explore cleaner fuel alternatives. This is great news for eco-conscious travelers seeking to minimize their carbon footprint while exploring the Andes or the Amazon.
What Does This Mean for You?
Whether you’re a backpacker, digital nomad, or family vacationer, Colombia’s aviation surge translates to real benefits on the ground:
- More competitive pricing: Increased flight volume usually means better deals.
- Easier domestic connections: Regional carriers are ramping up short-haul flights, giving you access to off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Faster border crossings: Improved immigration infrastructure and services, such as Check-Mig, help reduce wait times.
- Greater travel resilience: With more routes available, you’ll have backup options if plans change mid-trip.
It also means that Colombia is increasingly positioned not just as a destination, but as a regional travel hub – ideal for combining trips across Latin America.
Final Takeaway
Colombia’s air travel boom is more than a statistic; it’s a sign of a country opening up more fully to the world. With new routes, better airports, smarter travel tools, and growing global interest, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best years yet to explore what Colombia has to offer.
So whether you’re dreaming of Caribbean coastlines, cloud forest hikes, or Medellín’s digital nomad scene, getting there is now easier and more traveler-friendly than ever before.
