Bogota airport El Dorado has experienced a series of delays as a result of heavy rains and cloud cover all over Colombia.
The extensive delays on Friday and Sunday in the capital city airport left some travelers stranded. Delays in Bogota affect opperations in the rest of the country, as flights through El Dorado support 61 percent of Colombia’s total air traffic. The airport handles 950 flights a day and there is a take off or landing every 47 seconds. With the delays, the airport can only process 52 planes an hour, rather than 76.
Avianca alone canceled 39 flights on Friday. Cities affected by the delays and cancelations include Cartagena, Medellin, Pereira, Manizales, Barranquilla, Cali, Pasto and Ipiales.
Things are further complicated by the high volume of traffic as high vacation season begins. Air navigation services director Hector Carrascal asked passengers to be “armed with patience.”
Despite the weather, authorities announced that remoedling at the airport in Florencia, Caqueta will be finished on schedule in two weeks.
Colombia is currently experiencing the worst rainy season in 60 years, and over 150 people have been killed by the rains in 2010.