Orange County

Orlando International Airport resumes international flights to South America

ORLANDO, Fla. — As we inch closer to the holidays, more flights are set to return to Orlando International Airport.

The airport added 31 flights this month, including the first nonstop flight to South America since the start of the pandemic.

Watch: Tourism industry pushes for fewer restrictions on international flights into Orlando

Next month, there are plans to add another 48 flights.

OIA took a major hit from the coronavirus, as the number of flights and passengers dropped.

Those who have flown have also had fewer options.

Read: SunRail delays vote on potential Brightline partnership to connect to Orlando airport

Last week, Avianca resumed nonstop service and now offer flights twice a week from Orlando to Bogota.

It’s the first service to and from South America to return to OIA since the pandemic.

Watch: Eager to boost traffic, airline industry considering COVID-19 testing at airports

“The significance is that we have one of the first long-haul left American flights back that took us 17 years the first time to get service with Avianca,” said Orlando International Airport CEO Phil Brown.

Brown said it’s a sign that restrictions are starting to be lifted in Latin America.

See the full report in the video above.

Jeff Deal

Jeff Deal, WFTV.com

I joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in 2006.