We look at upcoming humanitarian flights from Colombia to the U.S. and other countries. With international flights banned, humanitarian flights from and to Colombia are still permitted.
Well over 20,000 foreigners have left Colombia over the past few months on humanitarian flights arranged by embassies. Also, over 30,000 Colombian nationals have returned to Colombia over the past few months.
Colombia is currently banning international flights to/from Colombia until a pilot of resuming flights in September. But humanitarian flights organized by embassies are still permitted.
Several Medellin Guru readers asked about humanitarian flights. So, we look at upcoming flights from Colombia to the U.S. and other countries.
Humanitarian Flights to the U.S.
Over the past few months, the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá has arranged humanitarian flights monthly to the U.S.
The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá announced that Spirt Airlines and will operate humanitarian flights on several dates in July and August and September from Colombia to the United States. And the U.S. embassy later announced additional flights to the U.S.
However, on September 19, the U.S. Embassy announced that it will longer organize humanitarian flights out of Colombia. This is due to Colombia now resuming regular international flights. Other embassies are expected to follow suit and no longer organize humanitarian flights.
These flights from Spirit Airlines are for primarily for U.S. citizens and permanent residents that want to return to the U.S. However, other nationals may be permitted on these flights to the U.S. to connect on their way home but U.S. citizens have priority.
In July and August, there are flights from the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá (BOG), the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali (CLO), Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena (CTG) and the José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro near Medellín. The following are the schedule dates:
El Dorado Bogotá Airport (BOG), photo by EEIM
Bogotá El Dorado Airport (BOG) departures:
- July 3 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 5 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 7 – 4 am, Avianca flight AV 162 to New York JFK
- July 8 – 9 am, Avianca flight AV 164 to Atlanta
- July 8 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 10 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 15 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 22 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 24 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 26 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 29 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 5 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 8 – 11 am, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 12 – 11 am, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 15 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 19 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 22 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 24 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 26 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 2 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 5 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 9 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 10 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 11 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 12 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 15 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 16 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 23 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 24 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 26 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6311 to Fort Lauderdale
Inside Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (CLO)
Cali Alfonso Bonilla Aragón (CLO) departures:
- July 2 – 2 pm, Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 11 – 2 pm, Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 21 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 28 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 9 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 17 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 25 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 3 – 12 pm (noon), Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 10 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 11 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 12 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 16 – 2:10 pm, Spirit flight NK#6322 to Fort Lauderdale
Inside José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Medellín José María Córdova Airport (MDE) departures:
- July 4 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 12 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 23 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 30 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 10 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 16 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 23 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 27 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 6 – 12:30 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 10 – 2:17 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 11 – 2:17 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 14 – 2:17 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 16 – 2:17 pm, Spirit flight NK#6344 to Fort Lauderdale
Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena, photo by Martin St-Amant
Cartagena Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) departures:
- July 7 – 1 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 13 – 1 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- July 27 – 1 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 11 – 1 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- August 21 – 1 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 7 – 1 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 11 – 1:37 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
- September 16 – 1:37 pm, Spirit flight NK#6333 to Fort Lauderdale
All of the above Spirit flights from Colombia in July arrive at the Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida (FLL). Onward connections from Fort Lauderdale, Florida are available.
To buy tickets for these flights, contact Spirit Airlines directly and look for one-way flights:
Spirit Airlines website: https://www.spirit.com/
In addition, if you purchase a ticket on one of these flights and you encounter difficulties in traveling to the airport, contact the U.S. Embassy at ACSBogota@state.gov or +57 1 275.2000.
Taxis are still operating in Colombia. Travelers should carry a copy of their boarding pass – physical or digital – as well as identification (passport).
Also, if you think you will have difficulty reaching the airport due to travel restrictions in Colombia, provide the U.S. Embassy with your travel information including travel date, name, date of birth, passport number and contact information.
Furthermore, make sure to get to the airport much earlier than your flight due to lines at the airport and biosafety protocols in effect. Also, keep in mind that normal services such food service, and water fountains are closed at the airports.
Avianca Airbus A318 at the Medellín (MDE) airport, photo by Andrés Ramírez
Avianca Humanitarian Flights to/from Colombia
Avianca has flown over 275 repatriation flights in Latin America permitting over 29,000 people to return home.
Avianca also has several humanitarian flights to/from Colombia in July and August. For these flights you should contact the appropriate consulate.
- July 25 – Bogotá to Buenos Aires, 6:00 am, Avianca flight AV171
- July 25 – Buenos Aires to Bogotá, 3:06 pm, Avianca flight AV170
- July 25 – Bogotá to Zurich, 9:00 pm, Avianca flight AV176
- July 26 – Zurich to Bogotá, 6:00 pm, Avianca flight AV177
- July 27 – Bogotá to Santiago, 8:00 am, Avianca flight AV165
- July 27 – Santiago to Bogotá, 4:00 pm, Avianca flight AV164
- July 28 – Bogotá to Paris, 9:30 pm, Avianca flight AV178
- July 29 – Paris to Bogotá, 10:00 pm, Avianca flight AV179
- July 30 – Bogotá to Mexico City, 9:30 am, Avianca flight AV158
- July 30 – Mexico City to Bogotá, 4:00 pm, Avianca flight AV159
- July 30 – Cancun, Mexico to Bogotá, 7:30 pm, Avianca flight AV159
- July 31 – Bogotá to Shangai, 2:10 am, Avianca flight AV150
- August 10 – Bogotá to Brussels, 4:30 pm, Avianca flight AV166
- August 11 – Brussels to Bogotá, 1:00 pm, Avianca flight AV167
- August 12 – Bogotá to New York, 4:00 am, Avianca flight AV162
- August 12 – New York to Bogotá, 12:45 pm, Avianca flight AV163
- August 13 – Bogotá to San Jose, Costa Rica, 8:30 am, Avianca flight AV160
- August 14 – San Jose, Costa Rica to Bogotá, 12:30 pm, Avianca flight AV161
- August 14 – Bogotá to Buenos Aires, 8:00 am, Avianca flight AV171
- August 14 – Buenos Aires to Bogotá, 7:06 pm, Avianca flight AV170
- August 16 – Bogotá to Madrid, 5:00 pm, Avianca flight AV152
- August 17 – Madrid to Bogotá, 1:00 pm, Avianca flight AV153
- August 19 – Bogotá to Mexico City, 9:30 am, Avianca flight AV156
- August 19 – Mexico City to Bogotá, 4:00 pm, Avianca flight AV157
- August 19 – Cancun to Bogotá, 7:30 pm, Avianca flight AV157
- August 20 – Miami to Bogotá, 6:45 pm, Avianca flight AV165
- September 4 – Miami to Bogotá, 6:45 pm, Avianca flight AV165
- September 5 – Bogotá to New York, 4:00 am, Avianca flight AV162
- September 5 – New York to Bogotá, 12:45 pm, Avianca flight AV163
- September 9 – Bogotá to Madrid, 5:05 pm, Avianca flight AV152
- September 10 – Madrid to Bogotá, 1:00 pm, Avianca flight AV152
- September 11 – Miami to Bogotá, 6:45 pm, Avianca flight AV165
- September 12 – Bogotá to New York, 4:00 am, Avianca flight AV162
- September 12 – New York to Bogotá, 12:45 pm, Avianca flight AV163
- September 14 – Bogotá to São Paulo, 4:00 am, Avianca flight AV151
- September 14 – São Paulo to Bogotá, 12:45 pm, Avianca flight AV150
For Avianca humanitarian flights to Colombia, travelers have to register with their respective Colombian Consulates or the Colombian embassy in Washington D.C.
Humanitarian Flights to Other Countries
Over the past few months there have been several humanitarian flights from Colombia to other countries arranged by embassies including Canada, the UK and several countries in South America.
In April and May, Air France – KLM operated 25 humanitarian flights to Paris and Amsterdam from Bogotá. And almost 7,000 E.U. citizens return home on these flights from 22 different countries and nearly 7,000 Colombia citizens returned home on these flights.
Australia flight in July
The Australian embassy has arranged a humanitarian flight to Australia on July 6. Qatar Airways has confirmed a flight from Bogotá to Doha to Australia on July 6. Itineraries from Bogotá through to Australia can now be booked directly with Qatar Airways though their website: https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/homepage.html.
For this flight to Australia there will be a stopover in São Paulo, Brazil. Passengers will not be able to leave the international transit area of the airport during this stopover.
Netherlands flights in July, August and September
Also the Dutch embassy has arranged a humanitarian flight on KLM from Bogotá to Amsterdam on July 14 that will stop in Cartagena as well. Also, other nationalities are allowed on this flight.
In addition the Dutch embassy added three from flights from Bogotá to Amsterdam on July 28, August 4 and August 18 that will stop in Cartagena as well. For theses flights travelers reportedly must contact the Dutch embassy via email to BOG@minbusz.nl. Also, other nationalities are allowed on these flights.
Additional flights to Amsterdam from Bogotá on KLM are scheduled in September:
- September 1
- September 8
- September 15
- September 25
Too book these September flights send an email to repatriation.klm@airfrane.fr.
Both Canada and the UK had flights from Colombia in May and June for citizens returning home. For July 2020, so far only the U.S. embassy, Australian and Dutch embassies have announced humanitarian flights from Colombia.
We recommend checking with other country embassies for flights:
- Canada Embassy: https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/colombia-colombie/
- German Embassy: https://bogota.diplo.de/
- Italy Embassy: https://ambbogota.esteri.it/ambasciata_bogota/it/
- UK Embassy: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-colombia
Also, other nationals are reportedly permitted on humanitarian flights to the U.S. according to three other embassies we talked to but priority is for U.S. nationals. In addition, there is a “first come, first served” principle that applies to passengers from third countries on these flights.
Humanitarian Flights to Colombia
The Colombian government over the past few months has arranged over 150 humanitarian flights to Colombia, which permitted well over 15,000 Colombian nationals to return to Colombia. Many of these flights are on Avianca. In July and August, there are several flights to Colombia from other countries that permit Colombian nationals to return to Colombia:
- July 2: United States
- July 3: Peru
- July 2: Miami
- July 4: Washington D.C.
- July 5: Peru
- July 6: Guatemala
- July 6: Australia
- July 7: New York
- July 7; United States
- July 8: Peru
- July 8: Atlanta
- July 9 Spain
- July 10: Chile
- July 10: Miami
- July 11: Argentina
- July 11: Orlando
- July 12: Panama
- July 13: United States
- July 14 United States
- July 14: Spain
- July 15: Mexico
- July 15: United States
- July 20: Spain
- July 21: United States
- July 22: United States
- July 24: Ecuador
- July 25: Argentina
- July 26: Switzerland
- July 27: Chile
- July 28: Brazil
- July 29: France
- July 30: Mexico
- July 31: Brussels
- August 3: Miami
- August 3: Cuba
- August 4: Bolivia
- August 5: Panama
- August 6: Dominican Republic
- August 9: Mexico
- August 10: Miami
- August 10: Spain
- August 11: Orlando
- August 12: Brussels
- August 12: New York
- August 13: Costa Rica/Honduras
- August 14: Argentina
- September 4: Miami
- September 5: New York
- September 5: Miami
- September 10: Panama
- September 10: Spain
- September 11: Miami
- September 11: Chile
- September 12: Miami
- September 12: New York
- September 13: Aruba
- September 14: Brazil
- September 15: Australia
- September 15: Argentina
To qualify for these humanitarian flights to Colombia, travelers have to register with their respective Colombian Consulates or the Colombian embassy in Washington D.C.
In addition, these flights to Colombia required passengers to fill out a “Preventive Control Against Coronavirus” form on the Migracion website.
Also, when passengers arrive in Colombia, they are assessed by health authorities at the airport and must commit to self-isolate for 14 days once in Colombia. Compliance with self-isolation will be verified by agents of Migración Colombia, National Police or municipal or departmental Health agencies.
Medellin Guru’s Coronavirus Series
Medellin Guru has a series of articles about the coronavirus pandemic and the impacts in Colombia: Also, these articles are being kept up-to-date, as this is a fast-moving topic:
- Economy Impacts in Colombia Due to Extended Quarantine
- Epicenter of Coronavirus in Colombia: Bogotá is the Epicenter
- Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
- Beware of Fake News in Colombia About Coronavirus and Quarantines
- Medellín Starts Free COVID-19 Tests on the Medellín Metro
- New COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Medellín to Contain the Pandemic
- Penalties for Violating the Quarantine in Medellín are Stiff
- COVID-19 Orange Alert in Bogotá: New Lockdowns in Bogotá
- Medellín Starts to Lift the Quarantine: Enters Smart Isolation Phase
- Colombia Started to Lift the Quarantine – What Does this Mean?
- Coronavirus: When Will the Quarantine Be Lifted in Colombia?
- Colombia Starts to Lift the Quarantine in COVID-19 Free Areas
- Colombia Quarantine: Nationwide Quarantine Extended to September 1
- Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status
- Coronavirus Hospitalization in Colombia: Myth vs Reality
- Are Medellín and Antioquia Winning the Coronavirus Battle?
- 23 Cities with a Major Increase in Coronavirus Cases in Colombia
- Colombia Coronavirus Death Rate: What are the Chances of Dying?
- Coronavirus: When Will Things Return to Normal in Colombia?
- COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Realty About Coronavirus Testing
- Life as an Expat: During Medellín’s Coronavirus Quarantine
- Colombian Visa Process Changes: Due to Quarantine and Coronavirus
- Medellín Coronavirus Closures – What is Closed in Medellín?
- Pico y Cedula: A Restriction for Grocery Shopping in the Aburrá Valley During the Quarantine
- Pico y Cedula in Colombia: Which is Strictest Out of 5 Largest Cities?
- Medellín Quarantine Starts on March 20 for Four Days
The Bottom Line: Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
If you are interested in returning to the United States or other country, please take advantage of these humanitarian flights in July, August and September 2020.
The U.S. Embassy cannot guarantee the ability to arrange flights indefinitely. However, normal international flights are currently scheduled to resume in Colombia in September. But this could change due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are a foreigner in Colombia from another country looking to return home, check with your embassy. Also, if you are from another country you can potentially use the humanitarian flights to the U.S. as a stop on a way home but keep in mind that U.S. nationals have priority on these flights.
Readers if you find out about other humanitarian flights, please let us know in the comments below. We would like to keep this article up-to-date with upcoming flights and will update this article when we find out about additional flights.
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Editors note: updated on July 2, 2020 to add four additional humanitarian flights to the U.S. from Spirit airlines from Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and Cartagena.
Editors note: updated on July 4, 2020 to add a humanitarian flight to Amsterdam from Bogotá on July 14.
Editors note: updated on July 5, 2020 to add humanitarian flights from Bogotá to New York JFK and Atlanta from Avianca on July 7 and 8.
Editors note: updated on July 7, 2020 with information about humanitarian flights to Colombia in July.
Editors note: updated on July 13, 2020 to add several additional humanitarian flights on Spirit from cities in Colombia to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on July 16, 2020 to add five additional humanitarian flights on Spirit from cities in Colombia to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on July 21, 2020 to add three additional humanitarian flights from Bogotá to Amsterdam.
Editors note: updated on July 24, 2020 to add several humanitarian flights to and from Bogotá on Avianca.
Editors note: updated on July 26, 2020 to add two additional humanitarian flights on Spirit from Bogotá in August to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on July 27, 2020 to add humanitarian flights from several countries to Colombia in August.
Editors note: updated on July 29, 2020 to add six additional humanitarian flights on Spirit from Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena and Medellín in August to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on August 5, 2020 to add additional humanitarian flights on Spirit in August to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on August 9, 2020 to add additional humanitarian flights on Spirit in August to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on August 11, 2020 to add several humanitarian flights to and from Bogotá on Avianca.
Editors note: updated on August 17, 2020 to add additional humanitarian flights on Spirit in August to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on August 25, 2020 to add additional humanitarian flights on Spirit in September to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on August 26, 2020 to add humanitarian flights from several countries to Colombia in August and flights to Amsterdam in September.
Editors note: updated on September 3, 2020 to add several humanitarian flights to and from Bogotá on Avianca.
Editors note: updated on September 4, 2020 to add several additional humanitarian flights on Spirit in September to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on September 15, 2020 to add additional humanitarian flights on Spirit in September from Bogotá to Fort Lauderdale.
Editors note: updated on September 20, 2020 with information that the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá will no longer organize humanitarian flights from Colombia.