Avianca Expands Network in Venezuela with Direct Bogota-Maracaibo Route
It is official, and it marks a milestone in the recovery of air connectivity for Venezuela's interior regions. Avianca has confirmed the expansion of its operations in the country with the launch of a new direct route between El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota and La Chinita International Airport (MAR) in Maracaibo, Zulia state.
Technical Details and Schedule: Operations are scheduled to begin on August 1, 2026. After verifying reservation systems and INAC (Venezuelan Aviation Authority) authorizations, the airline plans to initially operate with a frequency of three weekly flights (estimated Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays). The route will be serviced by Airbus A320 family aircraft, ensuring a consistent seat supply and comfort for a flight of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Value Analysis for the Zulia Passenger: This route is critically important for the western region for several reasons:
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Goodbye to Maiquetía: Travelers from Zulia regain a direct alternative to leave the country without having to make the tedious and costly layover in Caracas, which often involves terminal changes and long waiting times.
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Access to the El Dorado Hub: Bogota is not just the final destination; it is the gateway to Avianca's massive network. From BOG, Zulians will be able to connect seamlessly to destinations in Europe (Madrid, Barcelona, London), North America (Miami, New York, Orlando), and all of South America, competing directly in time and efficiency with the Hub of the Americas in Panama.
With this move, Avianca solidifies its presence in Venezuela, adding Maracaibo to its current destinations (Caracas and Valencia).
⭐Súper Tip Vuelitos
For passengers from Maracaibo traveling internationally via Avianca, this is the exact and accurate procedure to avoid problems at El Dorado Airport.
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The "Single Ticket" Condition: This tip is valid ONLY if the passenger is traveling on a single ticket/reservation (PNR) from Maracaibo to their final destination (e.g., MAR-BOG-MAD). If they purchased separate tickets (MAR-BOG with Avianca and BOG-MAD with another airline), this procedure DOES NOT apply.
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Checked Baggage: When meeting the single ticket condition, Avianca tags the baggage in Maracaibo directly to the final destination. The passenger MUST NOT retrieve luggage in Bogota or check it in again.
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Sterile Transit (No Immigration): Upon arrival in Bogota from Maracaibo, the passenger disembarks in the international concourse. They must exclusively follow the "International Connections" signs. They will reach a security checkpoint (carry-on baggage screening) and from there proceed directly to the international departures lounge for their next flight. They DO NOT go through Colombian immigration control counters (Migración Colombia); therefore, they do not get an entry stamp on their passport.
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Colombian Visa in Transit (Venezuelan Citizens): According to current regulations from the Colombian Foreign Ministry and Migración Colombia, Venezuelan citizens DO NOT require a transit visa to remain in the international transit zone of El Dorado Airport, provided their connection is to a third country, they hold a confirmed onward ticket, and their stay in said zone is less than 24 hours.
