The Colombian aviation sector consolidated its growth trajectory through the first nine months of 2026, handling 44.1 million passengers—a 4.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This momentum was driven by both domestic demand and cross-border traffic, coupled with a sustained rebound in air cargo throughput and flight operations.
Sustained Passenger Traffic Growth: Domestic and International Markets
According to provisional figures released by the Analytics Office of the Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics (Aerocivil), the country’s airport terminals processed 4.7 million passengers in September alone.
The breakdown by segment between January and September was as follows:
- Domestic Market: Reached 25 million passengers, posting a 4.4% year-over-year increase compared to 2025. Bogota and Medellin led domestic expansion, each contributing nearly two percentage points to overall growth. This positive performance was further bolstered by traffic gains from Barranquilla, Monteria, and Bucaramanga.
- International Market: Handled 19.1 million travelers, representing a 3.9% year-over-year increase.
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Cargo and Mail: Driven by Foreign Trade and Exchange Rate Dynamics
Between January and September 2026, air cargo and mail volumes totaled 750,265 metric tons, reflecting a 5.8% rise compared to the same period the previous year. In September, cargo volume handled reached 81,465 metric tons, matching levels reported in September 2025.
Segment Performance
- International Cargo: Served as the sector’s primary growth engine, accounting for 645,503 metric tons—a 6.6% increase (equivalent to 39,931 additional metric tons versus 2025).
- Domestic Cargo: Reported 104,762 metric tons processed, representing a moderate gain of 1%.
The civil aviation authority’s Analytics Office linked this trend to foreign exchange market conditions and the appreciation of the Colombian peso against the US dollar—macroeconomic factors that have directly stimulated e-commerce activity and international freight flows.
Scheduled Flight Operations: El Dorado and Rionegro Lead the Way
Aircraft movements across the nation’s aerodromes totaled 646,802 scheduled flights in the first nine months of the year, marking a 6.8% year-over-year increase.
- Domestic Operations: Totaled 520,188 flights, up 8%.
- International Operations: Recorded 126,614 aircraft movements, reflecting a 2.1% increase.
In September alone, 70,033 scheduled flights were operated (a 5.7% increase, representing 3,791 additional movements compared to September 2025), of which 56,660 were domestic routes and 13,373 were international services.
Throughout the year, the largest share of operational growth originated from Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport and Rionegro’s Jose Maria Cordova International Airport.
The operational results across passenger traffic, air freight volumes, and scheduled frequencies through the third quarter of 2026 underscore the steady progression of Colombia’s air transport sector, reinforcing its strategic role in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating international trade.
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Un apasionado por la aviación, Fundador y CEO de Aviación al Día.