Three companies will operate 16 frequencies that Tame had in Galapagos

The decision was adopted days ago by the National Aviation Council (CNAC), the body that assigns frequencies.

The space left by Tame EP in the Galapagos Islands may be occupied by new airlines. The 16 frequencies that were available to that destination and that were partly operated by Tame have been assigned to three airlines.

The decision was adopted days ago by the National Aviation Council (CNAC), the body that assigns frequencies.

That entity resolved to distribute the frequencies among the companies Regional Air Service (Aeroregional), Galapagos Air Ways and Equinoaxair. Aeroregional already operates in national territory, but does not have services to Baltra and San Cristóbal.

With the departure of Tame, which went into liquidation in the middle of the pandemic, Avianca and Latam were the only ones left flying. Currently, these lines do not operate beyond 50% of the national frequencies due to the drop in passenger traffic.

According to the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism, In January, the islands received 3,996 visitors, something far from the 20,000 to 25,000 tourists who arrived monthly before the pandemic.

The Council justified the assignment of frequencies to these companies by alleging that they have "presented requests to the General Directorate of Civil Aviation and CNAC aimed at obtaining routes and frequencies to the Galapagos and the importance of having new air operators to the island region."

To formalize the granting of frequencies as proposed by the National Aviation Council, airlines must submit applications for the granting of operating permits.

Andrés Ordóñez, director of the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism, He considered that the entry of three airlines into the islands' market will be good if competitiveness is generated to improve the service and seek a balance in the air fare.

“If there are more frequencies, more competition is better, as long as the service standard is met and if they are local flag, the better,” said Ordóñez.

The union hopes that with the vaccination process it can improve the entry of visitors.