Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Avianca on Friday said it would resume international flights starting September 28, some ten days after Colombia’s transport ministry announced plans to lift the country’s international travel ban imposed in March. The airline plans to launch service to 16 destinations, the first of which would connect Medellin with Miami and New York on Monday. Further service from Bogota will start on October 1, connecting Colombia’s capital city with Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Miami, and New York. Plans call for another service to start to another 10 cities on October 15.

 


The company said it will resume operations to each city after coordinating with the aeronautical authorities on available airport slots, different operating authorizations, network review, and adaptation to demand. The airline added that it set its schedule to give Avianca customers enough time to meet Covid-related requirements such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the destinations that require it.

 


The initial fleet for the international operation will total 34 aircraft, including Airbus A319s, Airbus 320s, and Boeing 787s. The airline noted the fleet has undergone preventive maintenance checks to protect its general condition and ensure availability.

 


“This start of operation implies keeping up the guard since self-care is still key,” said Avianca CEO Anko van der Werff. “On our side, you can be sure that the biosecurity protocols are the strictest and that the priority is to take care of our clients and our crews. This new start will be gradual, we hope to give you more good news about our network soon.”

 


Colombia requires that passengers entering the country must show a negative result of a PCR test administered no earlier than 96 hours from departure. Departing passengers will undergo temperature checks while all passengers must wear facemasks during all stages of their trips. If the flight lasts more than two hours, passengers must change their masks at least once.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Avianca Ready to Resume International Service 

Colombia’s flag carrier has scheduled international service to start on September 28 from Medellin to Miami and New York.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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