Low-cost law and new routes to stimulate tourism

By Bufete Mejía & Asociados

The National Congress of Honduras is discussing a low cost air transportation law that looks to stimulate tourism and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) trips in Honduras as part of a COVID-19 follow-up economic reactivation plan.

“We are working so that Hondurans can travel well and cheaply. Air tickets may drop by 40%, this will boost mass tourism and employment. Our compatriots abroad will be able to visit their families more frequently,” stated the president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández.

According to Aviacionline, currently the Honduran market has an average offer of 165 international flights per week distributed between San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Roatán and La Ceiba. The seat offering is dominated by United Airlines with 29.5%, followed by American Airlines with 29.1% and Spirit with 12.3%.

Mexican low-cost airline Volaris is set to enter the Honduran market later this year after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Mexican carrier and the government of Honduras.

The agreement will lead to a new route being launched connecting El Salvador’s capital San Salvador and San Pedro Sula, a city of some 900,000 inhabitants located in northern Honduras.