Tourism reaffirms that direct flights to Europe from San Juan will start in April

The designated executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), Carlos Mercado Santiago, provided an update today on the gradual recovery of air traffic in Puerto Rico, focusing on important progress in reactivating routes between the island and major destinations in Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.

Mercado emphasized that this much Copa Airlines such as Avianca They have already resumed flights to San Juan, to Panama and Bogotá respectively. Copa operates four weekly flights, while Avianca operates the San Juan route three times a week.

In the case of European airlines, this is expected from the Spanish national airline Iberia will resume flights between Madrid and San Juan in the second quarter of 2021, with three to five weekly frequencies.

Likewise the German airline Cóndor announced last weekend that it will resume its non-stop route from Frankfurt to San Juan, with a weekly flight from November 2021. Condor customers can now make their reservations through the airline’s website.

“Restoring and strengthening air access in Puerto Rico is part of the priorities we set out in the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s plan for the gradual reopening of the destination. In this sense, the preparation for the gradual reactivation of international flights is a step forward, ”said Mercado Santiago. “Puerto Rico is a major connecting bridge connecting the United States and Europe to the Caribbean, so one of the main goals of our air access division is to continue to facilitate the restart of flight operations by the end of 2021, in a safe and secure manner . responsibly, and adhering to the new protocols needed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic ”.

Another important international destination for the island is Canada. Prior to the pandemic, three airlines (Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat) operated nonstop flights in the winter season from Toronto and Montreal to Puerto Rico. Mercado emphasized that the Canadian market’s recovery has been delayed due to severe restrictions on Canadians returning to their country and the prolonged discontinuation of the cruise industry. All airlines have committed to the destination as soon as the control measures have been adapted.

Alejandro Caicedo, Director of Air and Maritime Access of the CTPR, noted that: “We are in constant contact with our international partners to support their operations in Puerto Rico and restore their seating capacity. Although the pandemic reduced international traffic to and from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport by 70% in 2020, we see several positive developments, with the restart of the operations of major airlines, mainly from Central and South America ”.

The Caribbean market is also in full recovery after major destinations such as the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands reopened. Currently, flights are back to some 15 destinations in the Caribbean, with more than seven airlines serving the region, albeit with a significant reduction in capacity.

In line with Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s commitment to continue promoting Puerto Rico’s economic development, the CTPR is working closely with the Department of Health, the Port Authority, the Federal Government and Aerostar Airport Holdings on plans for the gradual reopening of the destination. , with a sanitary approach and the promotion of responsible tourism.

“In addition to the airlines already serving the destination, we are constantly evaluating air traffic trends to identify new international markets that could open as soon as market conditions permit. As part of our efforts, we are working to improve tourism infrastructure, revitalize and refurbish attractions and, together with Discover Puerto Rico, to regain the positioning of our destination in strategic markets, ”concluded Mercado Santiago.