The measure is effective from zero hours on March 23. The airline also announced that it will keep its domestic operations in Colombia to a minimum.
From March 23 at 00:00 hours and until May 1, Avianca will suspend for completed its operation International, the airline said in a press release.
The closing of borders and airports and the considerable decrease in the flow of passengers, forced the airline to make the decision. However, he said it has not been defined whether the suspension of operations will lead to layoffs.
“As is public knowledge, most of the countries of the world closed borders limiting the mobility of national and foreign passengers in the region. This situation directly affects Avianca’s ability to maintain its operation. Consequently, from 00:00 on March 23, the entire international operation is suspended and the domestic operation will be reduced by 84%. These decisions are complex and painful for Avianca and its employees whose main reason for being is to connect travelers in Latin America, “the airline quotes.
The airline stated that exceptional labor measures will be taken to preserve the greatest number of jobs.
“The freezing of contracts, the implementation as soon as possible of unpaid voluntary licenses, suspensions of employment contracts, negotiations of payment conditions with suppliers and allies, and postponement of non-essential costs and capital expenses”, are part of the measures that the company will take.
The purpose of the company will continue to be to move passengers and crews safely and the cargo will continue to operate and that the transfer of goods, goods and humanitarian burden such as medicines and organs, Avianca clarified in the statement.
“This is without a doubt the biggest crisis in the airline industry in history. The decisions we are making hurt us, they are extremely difficult, but we must be flexible and face the situation. The complete suspension of our international operation and the strong contraction of the domestic one forces us to have most of our employees go home. It is time for the governments of the region to take exceptional measures that mitigate the social and economic impact that affects hundreds of industries. If we want to reconnect to Latin America and preserve the more than 20,000 jobs that we generate, we need the collaboration and collaboration of all the industry players and above all, the support and cooperation of governments. ”says Anko van der Werff, president and CEO of Avianca Holdings.
The company also detailed that the 84% reduction in domestic operations in Colombia will include attention from Bogotá to capital cities and some of the regions.
“The foregoing will be subject to the evolution of the situation, the availability and willingness of customers to fly and the additional measures that may be taken by local and national governments that affect the operation at the national level”, the company clarified in the statement.
Avianca clarified that due to the emergency Flight schedules may change daily and passengers will be informed when this happens.
Avianca will report the changes through the Covid 19 website and other channels: Avianca Listen @AviancaListen, email, Whatsapp for customers of the Diamond and Gold loyalty program and Avianca News Center.
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