AERONAUTICAL
Colombia is a strategic destination for non-extractive FDI that contributes to economic growth, the reduction of inequality, and the construction of total peace. These objectives translate into opportunities for investors in the Aeronautical Industry, who can establish regional maintenance and repair centers by taking advantage of the country's geographical location, competitive labor costs, and services.
Colombia has a well-established tradition in the air transport sector, responding to a significant and growing volume not only of passengers and cargo within the country, but also of new routes and airlines. Additionally, it has a dense network of national and international airports that covers its territory. This represents an opportunity to establish regionally oriented aircraft maintenance and repair centers in Colombia, taking advantage of the country's geographic location, labor costs, and competitive services.
Exports of the aerospace industry in Colombia (USD MILLONES)
Source: DANE- DIAN
DUE TO ITS TOPOGRAPHY, COLOMBIA HAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED AIR TRANSPORT TRADITION
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The varied and complex Colombian topography has encouraged the development of air transport country wide.
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This transport mode accounts for an important and growing volume of the country’s passengers and freight. In 2024, the country recorded 99.4 million passengers in domestic and international traffic combined, alongside 1,297.7 million tons of cargo.
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In addition, Colombia maintains an extensive airport network comprising 17 international and more than 40 domestic airports that cover its territory.
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The country is strategically positioned to serve the regional market due to its central location, supported by over 30 airlines with direct operations, 113 direct international routes, and approximately 6,600 domestic frequencies and 1,500 international frequencies per week.
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Bogotá's El Dorado Airport ranks as the leader in Latin America for air cargo volume, handling approximately 750,000 tons per year. It also stands out as the second busiest airport in Latin America in terms of passenger traffic.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS ACTIVITY, THE COUNTRY IS DEVELOPING AN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
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Colombia already has a growing aeronautical parts industry that serves as a foundation for its future development.
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The industry also includes several maintenance and repair companies offering limited MRO services with AS9100 certification, including CIAC and the MRO of MRO Holdings (formerly Avianca's MRO).
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Regional clusters and industrial associations are also driving sector growth; these clusters are located in key regions of the country such as Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, and the Coffee Region.
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Well-developed and diversified metalworking and auto parts industries can evolve into aircraft parts manufacturing. 130 automotive spare parts companies were identified with potential to expand and adapt their equipment and products to become aerospace industry suppliers.
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As a result, Colombia currently has a growing industry with great potential, which meets several domestic needs and is breaking into export markets. In 2024, the United States was the main destination for aircraft parts exports, followed by Peru and Israel.
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In 2024, 89 companies provided aircraft maintenance services, delivering a total of 31,588 services that primarily serve the civil and military aviation sectors. These workshops are mainly located in Bogota and the departments of Meta, Antioquia, and Valle del Cauca.
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Between 2020 and 2024, Colombia recorded more than 433,000 engineering program graduates, ideal for meeting the sector’s skilled labor needs.
THE COUNTRY OFFERS ATTRACTIVE CONDITIONS FOR BOTH AIRCRAFT AND PARTS MANUFACTURERS, AS WELL AS SERVICE PROVIDERS
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Companies can access special tax, customs, and foreign trade treatment in Free Trade Zones, where they will enjoy benefits such as exemption from tariffs and VAT, among others.
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Companies can benefit from Colombia’s promotion of environmentally sustainable investments through mechanisms such as tax credits.
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Colombia promotes investment in science, technology, and innovation.
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Colombia offers income tax deductions to encourage employment generation.
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Colombia offers the Vallejo Plan as an instrument to promote exports, through which individuals or legal entities may temporarily import raw materials, capital goods, and spare parts to be used in the production of export goods or the provision of export services, with customs and tax benefits subject to an export commitment.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Establishment of MRO service companies to serve the growing regional passenger and cargo transportation market.
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Opportunities for technology transfer from international companies to local firms with experience in aircraft parts manufacturing.
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