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.
77 thoughts on “Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries”
I feel sure Mexico would work. They have no restrictions. Fly her there to meet you if you want. My partner from MDE and I are doing that. I’m British and go between the US and Colombia without problems. I haven’t been back to the UK lately so have no worries
Thank you very much guys ??
Hi i live in the uk, my partner is in colombia. i am looking for any absolutely any way to get over to see her. i have been looking at volounteering or studying whatever. i see that it is currently not allowed to begin the journey in the uk but i was wandering if there is a way around that with either a humanitarean flight direct or if i stopped in mexico isolated for 10 days and moved on. has anyone got ideas?
There are no humanitarian flights. You can go to another country that isn’t banned and travel from there to Colombia.
Thanks Jeff. I am hoping I won’t be refused if I have the uk passport but I’m coming from Mexico or Ecuador or something.
Hi Jeff,
Are there any other humanitarian flights planned in September, to Colombia from Miami? Thanks.
Hi Jeff,
I wrote to you on August 13 th with no answer but I guess you were really busy. Now the situation has changed as on September 1 st but I wonder what will happen for people like me that are still in Colombia ? Migración Colombia will be open ?? Do you foresee any problems since we are without Visa since April 20 th as in my case and how can we obtain one since I’m not planning to return home anymore but rather stay until mid-April next year like usual. Can the travel agency resolve this Imbroglio ?? Any info will be greatly appreciated from me and the ones still stranded in Colombia. Thanks and keep doing the great job.
Migracion is still issuing regular visas like retirement, student, work, marriage and investment visas – we partnered with a visa agency that can help you can answer visa questions. The visa agency we partnered with has helped many readers obtain visas during the quarantine in Colombia – https://medellinguru.com/medellin-guru-visa-services/
Thanks for being so diligent answering. I’ll be in touch with the travel agency you recommended. Have a great day!
I flew with a humanitarian Air France flight from Bogota to Paris with my Colombian girlfriend, and there were no problems. They didn’t even ask for any documents, but I guess it depends on your destination. If you have permission to enter the country, there should be no problems.
Hi I wonder if you could tell me the requirements for humanitarian flights for Colombian Nationals in Colombia? I checked with embassies, airlines, airports and still feel like no one can say. It seems I can buy the tickets with the airlines but can anyone with access to another country be allowed onto the flight after September 1st?
Hi Jeff, Thank you for your excellent site and information. I wonder if you can help on this? My daughter’s boyfriend is Colombian and is trying to get home. He had a flight booked September 9th from Madrid to Bogota but has now been told its cancelled. He is trying to get a humanitarian/ repatriation flight from Madrid to Colombia as soon as possible, hopefully in August, but is finding it very difficult to get any help or information. Where could he get help with this? Is there a better route he could try? Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Do we have any humanitarian flights to india ? If yes , can you please share the information
Contact the India embassy in Colombia and ask.
What’s the word on additional humanitarian flights to Europe (any destination will do) now that Comrade Lopez has prohibited El Dorado from opening as promised?
Can I take one of this humanitarian flights if I have a student visa and school is starting next week. I need to take labs for my senior year
Hi Jeff,
We are already mid-August and international flights should resume in September but where and when ? Now I dont really feel like going back to Canada since I’m always coming back here in mid-October. My extended visa was till April 20 th but my return flight and others were cancelled. What’s the best way to stay till mid-October and get a 90 day visa as usual. Thanks in advance !
Thanks Wim that’s a really useful first hand account of what it’s actually like to take a humanitarian flight. I have been thinking of taking one back to Europe for some time. Life here can have it’s challenges but after 4 years I really feel that Medellin is my home and I am very reluctant to leave. All things considered, I think maybe putting all my stuff in storage and going to Europe for a year maybe the best idea.
Does anyone know if you are required to have a US visa to travel on a Humanitarian Flight? My mom came over last year to have a medical operation and everything is done now and we are trying to plan our way back home to the Bahamas.
If you are flying to the Bahamas with a connection in the USA you will need at least a USA Transit Visa
There are 3 more humanitarian flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands from Bogota via Cartagena on July 28 and August 4 and 18. Other nationalities are allowed too, contact your embassy. I am now back in Holland with the flight of July 14. Not a very pleasant experience. First we had to wait 2 hours outside the airport at 6 am in the cold and then 90 minutes for check-in. In the airport cold too. I had to pay 92.600 COP to KLM for overstay of my tourist permit. Security confiscated all my drinks, even the empty bottles. The scheduled departure time was 11.25 according to the embassy so I expected a lunch in the plane. The actual departure time was 13.00 and no lunch or drinks. These were served an hour after departure at Cartagena, at 16:30. So I did not get any food for 11 hours and no drinks for 7 hours (had some drink after check-in). So, be prepared.
Thanks, we added the three additional humanitarian flights to the article.
Thanks Wim that’s a really useful first hand account of what it’s actually like to take a humanitarian flight. I have been thinking of taking one back to Europe for some time. Life here can have it’s challenges but after 4 years I really feel that Medellin is my home and I am very reluctant to leave. All things considered, I think maybe putting all my stuff in storage and going to Europe for a year maybe the best idea.
Not a bad idea. This is torture.
Just to let you know, there is going to be a humanitarian flight from Bogota to Panama City on Monday 20 July at 8am. Copa have not yet officially announced it on Twitter but I just managed to get a ticket for my wife by phoning Copa. However, you do have to be a Panamanian national or have a residents visa.
She will need a US visa even to change planes in the US. I am British and have a US visa, and successfully took a US humanitarian flight to Florida 30 June, but it was very stressful because US citizens and permanent residents have priority. If I had not had an onward flight from Florida, I got the feeling at checkin, that I would have been denied boarding.
Thanks for the update on humanitarian flights, I passed this on to several friends.
Do you know if Colombian citiziens are permitted on these flights, or if there are any restrictions? My Colombian girlfriend would be granted entry to Norway, but I am trying to get confirmation that we will be able to buy tickets together on any of these flights.
Best to contact the embassy that organizes the humanitarian flights to ask.
Hi there,
I managed to secure a seat on the humanitarian flight to Paris this Monday. I need though to get to Bogota from Cali by bus. Expreso Bolivariano requires to fill a form marking under which ‘excepcion’ I’m travelling but there’s nothing relating to those flights, should I mark ‘fuerza mayor’? Do I also need some permission from Colombia’s Ministry of Transport? Would be grateful for the information as I’m quite stressed and not able to contact the bus company.
According the the U.S. Embassy, transport permits are no longer necessary to travel to an airport for humanitarian flights. Instead, travelers should carry a copy of their boarding pass – physical or digital – as well as identification (e.g., cedula or passport), see: https://co.usembassy.gov/alert-humanitarian-flights-from-bogota-to-new-york-july-7-and-atlanta-july-8-on-avianca-airlines/
Hi Jeff, I’m trying to help my Mother in law get back to Colombia she is currently stuck in Miami and I am in Australia. Trying to find information has been hard to say the least at the moment, any idea how I can get information on humanitarian flights back into Colombia rather than out? I spoke to the Colombian consular in Sydney however they advised I had to contact the Miami consular (who at closed due to covid). Any help/information would be greatly appreciated.
Our article was updated today with a list of humanitarian flights to Colombia in July.
If the consulate in Miami is closed, we recommend contacting the Colombian embassy in Washington D.C. – http://estadosunidos.embajada.gov.co/
There are also a couple of humanitarian flights on Avianca from Bogota to Atlanta (July 8) and NYC (July 7) this week. Good to see another airline (not just Spirit) get involved.
https://co.usembassy.gov/alert-humanitarian-flights-from-bogota-july-10-cali-july-11-cartagena-july-13-and-medellin-july-12-on-spirit-airlines-2/
Thanks, confirmed and added these flights to the article.
Thanks Jeff and others who replied. The Netherlands are organizing an humanitarian flight from Bogota to Amsterdam on 14 July. Other nationalities are allowed too. Contact your embassy. They said that the Dutch must contact the embassy before Saturday on 4 july ???, 18:00. It is short time but I just saw it on Facebook, while I should have an email about this 3 days ago.
Thanks, we confirmed this and added the flight from Bogotá to Amsterdam on July 14 to the article.
I have contacted the Dutch embassy and the deadline (for Dutch people?) for the humanitarian flight to Amsterdam on 14 july is Sunday 5 july 18:00. They said that the plane will make a stop in Cartagena to allow passengers to board there too.
Thanks, the embassy Facebook said July 4 was deadline but they must of extended this. The article is updated.
I am a UK citizen and just flew from Cartagena to Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Tuesday on a USA humanitarian flight. In my case, I was in Medellin and it was expensive and complicated to get ground transport to Cartagena.
I very much thank Jeff, Norman and others for their advice. Langona law firm in Colombia was a fantastic help. However something makes me think that national and local ground permits are not needed after 30 June.
The whole business of “US citizens and permanent residents get priority” is very dodgy. You must get the ticket through a one-way purchase on Spirit. They didn’t seem to care. Later they email you for passport details.
I have both an ESTA and US visa, but I do not have permanent residency, and when I got to the airport, the only reason I was allowed to fly, is that I had purchased a cheap one-way July ticket to Panamá from Ft Lauderdale thus proving that I did not plan to stay in the US. I also had to say that I was planning to fly from Panama to the UK. Fortunately they didn’t ask to see that one because didn’t have one!
Que estrés!. But now I am here in Florida, the heart of infection country – 10,000 yesterday! Bottom line, stay in Medellin if you can and pongan tu tapabocas ??
Hi there,
Do you know how the thing works for citizens of other countries wishing to take a humanitarian flight to the US? I checked AVIANCA website and on reserving the flight, they state that it’s only for US citizens or permanent residents. Thank you in advance.
You have to ask the airline or embassy. We have confirmed with embassies and with some Medellin Guru readers that are Canadian citizens that were able to take humanitarian flights to the U.S. for connections.
Also, see the comments above, one reader whose friend is Italian went on a humanitarian flight to Miami.
Hi,
Will be a humanitarian flights in August?
We will update this article when we find out about additional humanitarian flights. Also, you can check on the U.S. embassy website – https://co.usembassy.gov/news-events/
Are you sure other nationalities are allowed on these fights? Have you a source? I could not find any information about it. The American embassy says only American citizens and legal residents are allowed.
Yes, checked with 2 other embassies that said yes. And see this statement on the Swiss embassy website – https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/colombia/en/home/representations/embassy-bogota.html
Wim, he is correct. The person that went last thursday to miami usa was my friend from italy. I see his whatsapp status now he is back in italy. So i guess other nationalitys really are. Guess he flew to miami for few days then went back to europe.
I saw a whatsapp story of a friend on thurseday take a flight to usa. Are you sure you didnt miss a date a few days ago for humanitarian flight from medellin?
There may have been other flights. The above list is from the U.S. embassy.
Could you tell me the price for a humanitarian flight? Approx? From Florida to Bogota? Thank you
Depends on the airline and date. Check with consulate to see what dates and airline is flying and check with the airline.
There was one other flight on 21 June from LAX to BOG.
My spouse visa ends June 29. I have applied for a residency visa but they keep kicking the can down the road with new requests for information. I have sent them everything. If they don’t give me the visa I want to ride my moto to Panama. This means having to abandon my wife and home. This is not a good scenario. I contacted the Colombian Department of Foreign Affairs about my situation and their response in a nutshell is not our problem. If I end up having to leave how will I know when travel is permitted? I expect that I will be on the road at least 8-10 days.
Did you use a visa agency? If not perhaps the visa agency we partnered with can help – https://medellinguru.com/medellin-guru-visa-services/
You can’t ride a moto to Panama, there are no roads to Panama. Have you heard of the Darién Gap? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari%C3%A9n_Gap
Yes, I recently read an article about 4 ex-military guys who rode from Alaska to southern Chile. The Darien gap forced them to leave Alaska in the middle of winter (I guess they didn’t want to stop someplace for an extended period… for some reason.) Fascinating winching their motorcyles across the creeks in the marshland. One motorcycle got stuck in the mud and had to be left behind. This website has a link to that article, but has some good options for how to go about doing it; if you want to spend the money. It’d likely be more economic to sell the motorcycle and buy a new one on the other side. https://advrider.com/crossing-the-darien-gap-on-a-motorcycle-panama-colombia/
The terrain between Colombia and Panama is a No man’s land. It is perhaps the last place any person in the right mind would want to traverse, unless he or she had an armored tank and a battalion of soldiers and lots of mosquito repellent, anti malarial pills and a host of other precautions. Maybe one day they might attempt to construct a road but i seriously doubt it will be in our lifetime. The Darian Gap from what I have heard is a good place to avoid for a host of reasons. You connect the dots.
I also have a spouse visa due to expire soon. I was going to go for a resident visa but, following advice from the visa agency, in the light of the current situation, I have decided to go for another spouse visa because there are less requirements for these. I will leave the resident visa until next time. Maybe you should consider the same?
There are no roads connecting Colombia with Panama. Contact our visa agency, let them guide you. Have patience, we are living in a state of emergency. Don’t panic have faith. We all are living in a state of temporary suspended animation. ALL OF US. .
My mom is in Tampa,FL she came here for vacation until March 30tb, but he couldn’t complete her return due to the Pandemic rules, and international flights closed like her Avianca Airlines. She really needs to go back to her Country Colombia for emergency reasons. How can I put her on the humanitarian flight to return to Colombia. Please let me know. Thank you
Need to check with the nearest Colombia consulate in Miami and be put on a list for humanitarian flights to Colombia – http://miami.consulado.gov.co/
Can you quarantine in your house when you arrive or do you have to in ? hotel?
Self-isolation can be done in a house.
My humanitarian flight story.
I left Bogotá on a humanitarian flight to Panama on 5 June. My wife wasn’t able to come with me for family reasons and we are hoping for another Panama flight soon.
It was an interesting experience! They only announced the flight 36 hours before it was due to leave. The flight departure time was 8am but I was told I had to be at the airport 4 hours in advance. I got there shortly before 4am and there was already a long queue outside the terminal building with everyone about one to two metres apart. They opened up the terminal at about 4:15am and only let people in very slowly. To get to the right level you had to use an elevator and they only allowed up to two people at a time in it.
They were quite organised using some kind of remote temperature checking device. Every second seat at the gate was blocked off. Boarding the flight was also different. They called the back 5 rows first, then the next 5 and so on with the front rows last. The flight was completely full so no social distancing on the plane. Perhaps the worst part, was when we arrived there was no organised disembarkation. Everyone just got up as usual as soon as the seat belt sign went off and started scrabbling for their overhead hand luggage.
Lots of journalists and TV camera people when we left the plane. Our temperatures were checked again, of course. I had to take an Uber home and as soon as I got in the car, the Uber driver sprayed my hands with gel.
Well, I have just completed my two weeks in quarantine at home but I have no desire to go out of the building. Fortunately, we have a balcony so I can get fresh air but cases are still going up in Panama, just as in certain parts of Colombia like Baranquilla.
I wish everyone well who needs a humanitarian flight. Otherwise, September is a long wait.
Hey Jeff I’ve been staying in Colombia for last 2 years on and off. I have 7 herniated disc in my back and have been getting treated by a medical doctor in Medellin with medicine not available in USA . I’m currently in USA scheduled for surgery but I’m sure it’s gonna be canceled again. I need to get back to Colombia with my emotional support animal ASAP .. any ideas steve
If you have a Colombian visa, contact the nearest Colombian consulate and get on their list for humanitarian flights.
If don’t have a visa, will need to wait until September 1 when international flights are scheduled to resume – https://medellinguru.com/international-flights/
Can’t I get a medical wavier or something? Doesn’t the border open quicker than the international flights. I could go to Panama then take a boat over? Any ideas
I asked about boats when trying to get out of Colombia, and a company that did sailing cruises replied that they were also prohibited by the Colombian government from sailing.
September earliest I think, reserve now. Hopefully Colombia will allow Americans entry as the incidence of non compliance with social distancing and mask wearing sends a bad message to the very conservative government here and may prohibit Americans, Brazilians and others from being admitted until they can comply with safety protocols. Jeff probably has better insight into humanitarian flights back here but from what I have read you may not qualify. Hope you can get medical help up there in the meantime.
I am so happy to be here in Colombia and have absolutely no desire to step one foot onto foreign soil at this time. The preventative measures in force here far surpass those in places like the USA. I feel safer here in Colombia then anywhere else on earth, except maybe Iceland.
Good luck to all those attempting their returns in either directions and thank you Jeff for being so thoughtful in your tireless efforts to provide all of is with vital information. Happy fathers day to all.
Hi Jeff
My wife and i got separated back in march when i came back to Panama for a few days and they locked the border. I only usually come into colombia on a tourist visa. She is from Medellin and is there at the moment. She is due to be having a baby in the middle of October (yippee). I will have to organize through the embassy to come on a humanitarian flight if they let me. My question is if i make that humanitarian flight from Panamá to Bogota i imagine. I have recently read from 2 different articles 2 different scenarios of what i can do .Do you know if i have to spend 2 weeks isolating in Bogota or can i organise for transport to Medellin and do my 2 week isolation there? If anyone has had any recent experiences i’d appreciate your input.
My understanding is need to self-isolate in Colombia for 2 weeks when you arrive. It is not clear if you arrive in Bogotá if you can transport to Medellín and do your isolation there. Will see if we can find out an answer.
Was able to confirm from someone on a recent humanitarian flight to Colombia who arrived in Bogotá that If Bogotá isn’t your final destination, you have 24 hours to leave Bogotá and reach your final destination to self-isolate for 2 weeks.
Thanks very much for that Jeff. I appreciate it.
Hi!! I have spent hours trying to call the embassies and consulates here in the USA about the humanitarian flights and no one will answer. Any idea on how to register for the humanitarian flights?! I need to go back to Colombia this month!! I would really appreciate someone’s help who knows a lot more about this. Thank you!!
You have to register at an embassy or consulate.
Hi! I arrived on a repatriation flight from Madrid on 6/22. You can quarantine at home but unless you live in Bogota you need to find and pay for someone or a taxi to pick you up and drive you to your home. Upon arrival in Bogota you have 24 hours to get transportation to your home. I used a private taxi service for 1.300,000 pesos to drive me from Bogota to Medellin. The good news is that the trip took about 6 hours due to no traffic on the roads due to quarantine. There is paperwork required for the driver so you need to contact the Colombian government for approval and authorization for your driver to pick you up.
Sounds like you are a Colombian citizen or something close to it. I believe others are excluded from admission under the humanitarian flight guidelines.