The airline, owned by the same group that owns Ryanair, said in a statement late Monday that it grounded its flights after the latest delay by Colombian authorities in approving the airline's requested merger with
Earlier this month Viva had grounded five of its planes and suspended dozens of flights.
Viva said it has given the Colombian government plenty of evidence of its dire financial situation and that it can continue only if it merges with the larger airline. “But the Colombian government’s decision jeopardizes the future of low-cost airlines in
Viva and
Last month, Viva had a 20% share of Colombia’s air passenger market, while
Viva was founded in 2009, and ran flights to Colombia’s largest cities, as well flights to
On Tuesday dozens of angry passengers protested outside Viva’s counters at the airports in
“Viva is a shameless airline,” said
Noboa said his flight was canceled without warning and that he had to sleep in the airport. He said airline representatives gave him a form to register for a refund but told him it would take at least eight days to get his money back.
With his funds depleted, Noboa waited to be transferred to another airline, and said Viva provided no support with food or accommodation.
“I have to return to
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