07 Jun 2021 | 11:26 PM UTC
Nicaragua: Several airlines to resume operations in mid-June, early July following suspensions due to COVID-19 /update 12
Several airlines to resume operations to and from Nicaragua in mid-June, early July following suspensions due to COVID-19.
Event
Several commercial airlines plan to resume or expand international flight operations serving Nicaragua in mid-June and early July following months of continuous suspensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Avianca Airlines (AV), which has been offering limited flights to and from Nicaragua, plans to increase flight frequencies on its Managua-Miami and Managua-San Salvador routes from June 15, adding a total of 18 flights every week. Copa Airlines (CM), which was also operating in the country, will add two additional flights every day from June 21. Additionally, Aeromexico (AM) plans to resume flying between Nicaragua and Mexico on July 1, with three flights every week.
Flight operations of other carriers remain suspended in Nicaragua, including American Airlines (AA) until at least Aug. 16 and United Airlines (UA) until at least Oct. 30. Flights between Cuba and Nicaragua also remain canceled. Flights on Spirit Airlines (NK) to and from Nicaragua continue to be suspended and the company has not yet confirmed the date by which service will resume.
Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua remains open; cargo and domestic flights continue to operate. All travelers arriving in Nicaragua must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Nonresident foreign nationals showing symptoms of the disease will not be permitted to enter, while citizens and legal residents who show symptoms are required to self-quarantine.
The government has not officially announced any closures of Nicaragua's land and sea ports of entry or any significant restrictions on domestic movements and business operations. However, some sea vessels have previously been denied entry. Disruptions to travel at land, sea, and air ports of entry will likely persist despite borders remaining open. Heightened screening measures at land borders could cause some delays to cargo transportation and other cross-border travel. All measures are subject to amendment at short notice.
Context
Airlines have repeatedly postponed restarting flights since September 2020. The postponements are linked to very tight restrictions implemented by the Nicaraguan government amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which most carriers are unable or unwilling to meet.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Plan for potential cross-border travel delays.
