A Aerolíneas Viva Air Apk at El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia, May 8, 2019. Picture taken May 8, 2019. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez.
BOGOTA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Aerolíneas Viva Air said it has temporarily halted operations as it awaits a decision from Colombia's civil aviation authority on a proposed merger with debt-ridden low-cost carrier Avianca (AVT_p.CN).
Dozens of passengers were stranded at Columbia Airport after the suspension and protests erupted in the airport terminal. Transport Secretary Guillermo Reyes said other airlines were working to meet their targets.
Viva Air said late Monday that it had stopped selling tickets and grounded its entire fleet after regulators allowed five other Aerolíneas Viva Air, including Aerolinas Argentinas and JetSmart, to participate in the merger process.
He argued that merging Aerolíneas Viva Air with Colombian flagship Avianca would affect this. Low-cost airline JetSMART and regional giant LATAM Airlines have expressed interest in buying Viva Air.
Viva Air's financial troubles in 2022 stem from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, rising fuel prices, and the devaluation of the Colombian peso.
Aerolíneas Viva Air said in a statement that "the unprecedented decision by the Civil Aviation Authority will further delay decision-making, which has unfortunately forced Viva to suspend operations with immediate effect."
About Aerolíneas Viva Air Apk
The Civil Aviation Authority said LATAM, Avianca and local carrier Satena will offer stranded passengers alternatives on certain routes at no additional cost.
The Colombian traffic regulator will launch an investigation into Aerolíneas Viva Air Apk, which could lead to possible sanctions.
In Peru, the Ministry of Transport and Communications launched administrative proceedings against Viva Air after around 300 passengers were affected at Lima and Cusco airports.
Aerolíneas Viva Air said it will continue to negotiate with creditors as part of a restructuring process that began this month and will work to allow it to resume operations at a later date if regulators approve the merger.
The airline grounded five of its planes last week and appointed Francisco Lalind as interim president and chief executive officer, replacing Felix Antonello, who has resigned due to ill health.
The potential merger of Aerolíneas Viva Air and Avianca was repeatedly delayed before proceedings were abandoned and resumed in January, citing "procedural irregularities" after the civil aviation authority challenged the decision last November.
What is Aerolíneas Viva Air Apk?
Aerolíneas Viva Air Apk said in a statement Monday that it had no choice but to temporarily suspend operations effective immediately. The airline said it will continue to negotiate with creditors locally and will work to resume operations at a later date.
However, the possibility of resuming air service in the future depends entirely on the immediate approval of the Colombian civil aviation authority Aeronautica Civil for the merger with Avianca. This was seen by the airline as a means of exerting pressure on the country's government and led to Viva facing backlash. On Tuesday, the ultra-low-cost service released another statement. It says that
In the statement, Viva said the only way the company could fly again is through a partnership with Avianca, which will allow it to become part of a larger, stronger, and better-capitalized airline group. Viva and Avianca have been planning to get together since last year. Viva's debts are reported at $831 million. On Tuesday, Viva announced a plan that would allow some of its employees to retire voluntarily. According to the airline, fewer than 200 employees (out of 1,250) have opted in. On Wednesday, activists posted a video call to save the airline.
Why is the Colombian government delaying its final decision?
On Monday, Colombian company Aerocivil released a document confirming third-party companies' rights to participate in the merger process. Some of these airlines are Viva Air from Colombia, LATAM, and Aerolinas Argentinas from Argentina. By validating those rights, Avianca said in a statement, it is effectively delaying the civil aviation authority.
Meanwhile, Colombia's Aerocivil said in a statement that it was following due process. "Third parties have the right to review the merger process and if they approve the merger, Avianca and Viva Air not to impede free competition," he added. Both airlines have offered to give up slots at Bogota El Dorado International, start a codeshare partnership with the country's national airline Satena, and more.
Will we see Chiru again in heaven?
If an airline "temporarily" ceases operations, it is unlikely to resume. We've seen this script so many times that it might be different. Recently, we saw two Latin American airlines, Mexico's Interjet, and Brazil's Etapemirim Transportes Arios, suspend their operations "temporarily" so that they may never fly again.
Meanwhile, Colombia's Aerocivil said in a statement that it was following due process. "Third parties have the right to review the merger process and if they approve the merger, Avianca and Viva offer not to impede free competition," he added. Both airlines have offered to give up slots at Bogota El Dorado International, start a codeshare partnership with the country's national airline Satena, and more.
Aerolíneas Viva Air Apk Features
Aerolinea's Viva Air APK lets you fly more and fly more in new aircraft at low cost with maximum Viva Air settings and schedules while complying with approved biosecurity regulations. Our new Viva mobile app demonstrates our commitment to technology to enhance and accelerate our journey by giving our customers more choice and digital channels.
Viva passengers can now access vivaair.com website features from their mobile devices, and book and manage their journeys easily and quickly through the new app. Smartphone users are welcome here!
- Purchases can be made quickly and securely.
- You can register online and register on your phone.
- Book early to travel with friends, family, or colleagues.
- Make sure you choose tickets according to your needs and add extra services when you buy them.
- Get advance notification of Viva's best deals.
- Make sure you keep track of every step.
- You can check flight status online.
- You can rename your ticket, change your flight, and add more services
- Among many other things.
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