Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) is thrilled to announce that Wingo, a renowned low-cost carrier, launched its highly anticipated new route that connects Cali, Colombia (CLO) to Aruba. The inaugural event, which took place on July 5th, 2023, not only represented a significant milestone for Aruba Airport and Wingo, but also served as a catalyst for further enhancing tourism and nurturing connections with the local community in both destinations.
The festivities started with the disembarking passengers on the arriving flight receiving a warm welcome by the Aruba Airport team while being entertained by local carnival dancers. The official inaugural event ceremony was held in the AAA Arrival VIP room, attended by government officials, aviation executives, and esteemed guests.
Among the distinguished attendees were Aruba’s Minister of Tourism & Public Health, Mr. Danguillaume Oduber, Mr. Jorge Jimenez, Sales and Distribution Director of Wingo, Ms. Ronella Croes, CEO ATA, and Mr. Joost Meijs, CEO AAA. The event concluded with the traditional ribbon and cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official commencement of operations on this new route.
The new route was initially announced in March 2023 as a summer season service but due to positive forward bookings, it has been agreed to extend this service up until the high season including the months of December 2023 and January 2024.
Cali marks the carrier’s third city in Colombia, servicing the Bogota, Medellin, and now also the Cali route. The new direct route would provide an additional seat capacity of approximately 1,500 seats and provide travelers with more connectivity within Colombia and Latin America with Wingo. In addition to the remarkable attributes, Aruba distinguishes itself as the exclusive international destination that witnessed a substantial surge in frequency during the year 2023.
Mr. Joost Meijs, CEO of Aruba Airport, expressed his delight to be celebrating the new direct route from Cali, Colombia to Aruba. “Wingo is an important and valuable partner for Aruba Airport, and we are very happy with this new, additional service out of Cali, Colombia. Aviation plays a vital role in Aruba’s economy and Aruba Airport remains committed to continuously seek new opportunities to expand its network and provide travelers with diverse and exciting travel opportunities. The ongoing partnership with Wingo reflects the Airport’s commitment in the strengthening of air travel connections between Aruba and Colombia.”.
Mr. Jorge Jiménez, Commercial and Planning Director of Wingo: “From Wingo we continue with our expansion process to continue offering Colombians and Arubans more offer at low cost. We are very pleased to offer the possibility of being just two hours from one of the most attractive destinations in the Caribbean for the people of Cali, as well as one of the most attractive cities in Colombia for the Arubans.”
Flight details
The new Cali-Aruba route will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays and will be serviced by a B737-800 aircraft with 189 seats. Tickets are available to book via Wingo’s website at www.wingo.com or through your preferred travel agent.
Cali
Cali is a two-hour flight from Aruba. The city is often referred to as the “Salsa Capital of the World” and is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and energetic atmosphere. The city’s atmosphere and friendly people make it an exciting destination for visitors.