LAN Colombia (Bogota) today (February 1) launched service between Miami International Airport and Bogota, Colombia. The airline will operate four flights per week onboard Airbus A320 aircraft.

LAN Colombia is currently the second largest airline in Colombia with 23% market share and an unparalleled network of domestic destinations in the country.

LAN Airlines and its affiliates recently signed an agreement with Juan Valdez® Cafe, the iconic premium coffee brand owned by Colombian growers, to serve their signature coffee onboard all international and some domestic flights operated by LAN Airlines and its affiliates beginning today.  LAN and its affiliates currently transport over 22 million passengers each year.  Given that number, they estimate that about 13 million cups of Juan Valdez® coffee will be served on board these flights each year.

LAN Colombia, formerly AIRES (Aerovías de Integración Regional S.A.) began operations under the new name on December 5, 2011. The launch of the LAN Colombia was marked by the declaration of a partnership between LAN Colombia and ProExport, a government entity in charge of promoting exports, foreign investment and tourism to and within Colombia.

Copyright Photo: PRNewsFoto/Lan Airlines. Juan Valdez prepares to board a LAN Colombia Airbus A320 for the inaugural flight from Miami to Bogota. The airline will operate four flights per week between Miami and the Colombian capital.

AIRES Slide Show: CLICK HERE

AIRES Colombia Boeing 737-73S WL HK-4623 (msn 29081) FLL (Arnd Wolf) (acquired by LAN), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

AIRES Colombia (Aerovías de Integración Regional S.A.) (Bogota) today (December 5, 2011 became LAN Airlines Colombia.

LAN Colombia becomes the fourth affiliate carrier of LAN Airlines (Santiago). This is an important step for LAN in the Colombian market, after LAN acquired AIRES in November 2010, a Colombia-based airline. LAN Colombia adds 23 destinations to the LAN network, including 22 domestic destinations in Colombia and the international destination of Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Bogota.

A year ago, LAN announced the final purchase of 98.942% of the shares in the Colombian airline AIRES. The airline has since implemented operational changes, such as modifications to flight schedules, improving efficiency and ensuring that safety standards, and on-time performance, consistent with LAN’s standards. LAN Colombia has a workforce of 1,750, 23% of domestic market share, and offers the best network of domestic flights within the country with a fleet of 26 aircraft.

Since the acquisition of AIRES, LAN has invested $405 million in the implementation of LAN operational standards, rebranding, as well as fleet updates and expansion, including the incorporation of three new Airbus A320 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf. The AIRES brand is now gone.

AIRES Slide Show: CLICK HERE

LAN Airlines South America Route Map: LAN now has the west coast of South America covered. LAN Colombia routes are in purple (click map to make it larger).

AIRES Colombia (Bogota) has now painted its first Boeing 737-700 in LAN Airlines colors as it rebrands as LAN Colombia.

Copyright Photo: AIRES. Boeing 737-7Q8 HK-4694 (msn 30687) is the first 737 to be repainted.

AIRES Slide Show: CLICK HERE