Epale A.netters:

This is our second trip report, and I say our because it was written in cooperation with ORL_777. In this opportunity we'll talk about our recent trip to Medellin. We hope that you like it, and your comments are very welcome (as usual).



Many years ago, I had the chance to travel to Medellin for business purposes, and always wanted to return there as it is a charming and quite interesting city, very similar to my home town -Caracas-. That travel was quite special as I had the chance to get a ride in a DC-3 from Aliansa Colombia (it was like an Indiana Jones adventure in the jungle), and was my first trip to Colombia, our Hermana Republica, a country that shares many historical, cultural and commercial bonds with Venezuela.

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Photo © Peter M Garwood

However, years pass by and this, as well as other trips, are put in a "to do" list that goes to the bottom of our priorities... Until you find a perfect excuse!   , which in this case was the "F-Air Colombia 2008" in Jose Maria Cordova Intl. Airport in Medellin, so ORL_777 and I started to arrange our plans (with the help of Santiago) and getting ready for five days of spotting, friendship and fun.

When we planned the trip we found two choices: Avianca came as the first option with 6 flights a day to BOG and plenty of connections to MDE, and also a quite varied fleet (MD-80, 757. 767, A319, F100). Also, AeroRepublica opened a daily flight direct to MDE in an EMB 190.



After considering the choices available (and also our tight budget) we finally selected AeroRepublica as they offer the lowest fare (over $160 less than Avianca!). Besides, the opportunity to take a flight in a jungle jet (considering that flying in a Venezuelan carrier is generally limited to a "state-of-the-art" DC-9 or a "newer" 737-200, this is a quite novel and somewhat exciting experience).



Booking was made through Copa Airlines website (COPA represents AeroRepublica in Venezuela). Booking was quick and very easy to do in a very few steps. One of the advantages is that they allow a 48-hour window for the payment of tickets (compared with AA, for example, which is 24 hours only). However, there is no seat assignment (at least for AeroRepublica's flights), although they offer some additional services (such as assistance for disabled), and special meals (limited to vegetarian and kids meals only).



Payment was made at COPA’s Offices located at Centro Lido in Caracas. The process was very quick and efficient. The staff at the offices was very helpful and efficient, and in less than 10 minutes we were all set to go.



As days passed we started to arrange our things. One of the things I usually do is to buy Torontos to share with my friends and also show them that Venezuela is not only oil and beautiful women.



Finally the day has come! After a restless night (the alarm clock buzzed at 01:15), a cold shower and a strong espresso brought me back from the twilight zone. At 6:35 we were bound to Maiquetia in a quick ride (although June 24th is holiday in Venezuela, it surprised us there was no traffic at all). In less than 35 minutes we were in front of the International Terminal.



At our arrival time, there were little people. As a matter of fact, COPA counters were empty, and a polite (yet clueless) lady informed us that AeroRepublica check-in would start at 09:30!, so our plans on going early to do some spotting at the gate were delayed, but this gave us plenty of time to check the facilities at CCS, as well as have some decent breakfast.



Simon Bolivar International Airport has undergone through a series of improvements during the last years. Since mid 2001 (when our beloved terrace was gone) until now, changes have been significant and positive. The airport has now a more modern look, more space for travelers (but less space for spotters), clean facilities and a polite staff. It is expected that in early 2009 the airport opens four more gates in the international terminal, plus adding more ramps in the domestic one.



After sightseeing and having a cup of coffee, we went to the counter area, which opened at 09:30 sharp. The lady at the counter was extremely polite and friendly. However, there was a little of disorganization regarding on the payment of airport taxes (in the past, this was included in the cost of the ticket, now you have to pay it directly at the airport, in a booth next to the counters)



Security and Immigration checks were really quick, and at the wink of an eye we were in the gates area ready for spotting, featured by Avianca and American Airlines (as usual, as they are the main international airlines operating in Venezuela), as well as by Conviasa and Aserca in the domestic area.







At 10:47 our E190 arrived from Bogotá. It was a sparkling clean E190 from AeroRepublica. Just one month ago we could spot it in its very first flight to Caracas, and now it was going to take us to Medellin. It was love at first sight!

[img]http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8232/trimg0014ty6.jpg [/img]



Boarding was very quick. The load factor for this flight to Medellin was about 65%. At the gate we were received by an attentive flight attendant who showed us our seats at the 5th row. My first impression of the cabin was very positive, with a modern and stylish look and quite comfortable leather seats with a comfortable pitch. Soon, doors were closed and pushback began.



During pushback we were able to see the works on the expansion at SVMI, and even catch a rare airplane that has been there for a while. It’s a Boeing 737-200 that belongs to Sol de America, wearing Global Air livery.





Taxiing was really quick, and in less than 5 minutes after pushback, the small yet powerful CF34-10E engines kicked the plane to the skies. After a steep turn to the left (the usual 1MARES departure), the E190 started to climb until FL300. Then, after passing Puerto Cabello service began with a snack box that contained a tasty ham & cheese sandwich, plantain chips and a mini jet chocolate bar.





AeroRepublica’s in-flight magazine Panorama featured an article about Caracas, my hometown, with a very nice photo report. It seems that AeroRepublica has put a lot of efforts in advertising this BOG – CCS – MDE – CCS – BOG daily service.







The flight was uneventful, just a bit bumpy after passing Barquisimeto. Some minutes later the captain announced that We were going to be late about 30 minutes as the airport of Rionegro was closed due to an Airshow. ORL_777 and I couldn’t help smirking at this as it was our goal of this trip, also… to be 30 minutes late for those who love flying is a bonus   .







Soon, the descent began and when we realized we were performing a holding over RGN VOR, there was a considerable amount of traffic on holding (Avianca’s MD-80 and Fokker 100, American Airlines 737-800 and our flight). After landing the taxiing was quick, and we were assigned Gate 14. The crew was really attentive and allowed us to take some pictures inside the cockpit. It was a great way to finish this journey and a great way to start our visit to Medellin.







Passport Control was really slow, and immigration area was quite dark and crowded. It looks like they will have to revamp the facilities as the international demand is growing and the existing facilities are simply inadequate… The separating bars were those from Avensa, something that called our attention.



Once cleared all immigration and security controls, we were at the domestic concourse, wherein we gathered with our friends. After that we got our press badges we were ready for spotting!



Only surpassed by the FIDAE held in Chile every two years, the F-air Colombia is the second largest air show of Latin America. It features a large amount of airplanes, exhibitors and visitors. The organization was fairly good, with an extremely friendly staff, which was very helpful and attentive. The performance shows of the FAC and USAF were simply amazing, and the opportunity of gathering with spotters and aviation nutters like us was just great. Undoubtedly, we’ll be there the next time.


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Photo © Roberto Leiro - SVZM Fotografos.

View Large View Medium Photo © Orlando Suarez

View Large View Medium Photo © Orlando Suarez

The Hotel we selected was located in Medellin, located in El Poblado Sector, for a more complete review you can check here.



Six days of spotting, fun, good friends and excellent meals. However, time passes by quite quickly and it was the time to return home.



The wakeup call at 7:30 am was enough to pull me out of bed. After a quick breakfast and packing the last pending things, we were ready to go.



At around 10:00 am, we called the cab and checked out. Once again, hats off for the amazing service and great hospitality of Colombians, we should learn a lot from them. The taxi arrived punctually and began our 30-minute ride to Rionegro.



Finally we arrived to Rionegro and it was time for shopping some souvenirs and do some last-minute errands. Around noon we had a quick bite at a local store and had some arepas and Pony Malta… It’s not the usual Malta we usually have in Venezuela but it has an interesting cough medicine-like flavor.







Around one hour after our revealing experience with Pony Malta, we were standing in the line for check-in. As it happened in CCS, Copa Airlines is in charge of the flight. And as usual… my baggage was double checked (the case of my tripod was the object of attention of security, and I even had to extend and retract the tripod). The check-in was quick and we were ready to go through immigration.


We passed immigration in a breeze, and once again we had to pass through security. The immigration hall is limited to the space of Gate 14, and it is very small and packed. There is just some TV sets (tuned?) to local TV stations, no Duty Free, no Food Stands, not even a beverage / snacks machine… just sit down and wait for your flight.



There was a minor incident with a man who lost his passport, which was mistakenly taken by a lady and her toddler son who were embarking to Miami in the usual AA flight.



Around 14:30 our airplane arrived to the gate. Once again a brand-looking new E190 was waiting for us. As opposed to other boarding methods, here we do not have any boarding group, so people began to gather in a line and board in a rather ordered way (something uncommon for us, those Venezuelans who read this TR know what I am talking about).



Boarding was quick, and once onboard we were greeted by a quite courteous and polite crew members, who indicated our seats and in a few minutes we were ready to go. Sorry because the lack of pictures, but I made a recording which needs to be edited with some codecs I don’t have.



Taxing was rather long, but the takeoff was very powerful, and again we were airborne bound to Caracas. The Captain instructed us in general terms about the route and advised us to keep the seatbelts fastened due to turbulence. 30 minutes after takeoff, meals were served, which consisted in a snack with a roll, which was very tasty, even alcoholic drinks were at no cost.



The flight was uneventful, although a bit shaky due to the turbulence caused by storms in a great deal of the trip. The descent and final approach to Runway 10 was the usual approach via ROMEX, and barely one hour and a half later, the E190 performed a kiss landing in Simón Bolívar Intl. Airport. (Sorry, no videos yet)



Due to the rush hour at CCS we were kept in the taxi line for about 25 minutes until a slot was freed in the ramp next to the International Terminal. We were parked just next to a TACA A320 and a DHL 727-100.



Immigration was slow, partly because we had to fill in the forms in the terminal (I don’t know if was fault of the airline, but these forms were not given onboard). Anyway, after a quick stop at the Duty Free and snatching this picture in front of the National Guard (Thanks ORL_777 for covering me up), we took a taxi to Caracas.



AeroRepublica proved to be a small but excellent airline compared to the standard of other similar Latin American (and American) Carriers. A modern fleet with a spacious seat pitch and an outstanding general service and meals made this travel experience really pleasant and memorable… I am really looking forward to travel with AeroRepublica again… very soon!

Your comments and questions are welcome as usual. Thank you for reading this rather long Trip Report. We hope that you really enjoyed reading it.

My other Trip Report:
MiAAmi – CarAAcas (Pictures included).

[Edited 2008-09-22 15:11:57]