What is the largest airport in Colombia?

El Dorado (BOG) in Bogotá with 38+ million annual passengers. It's the main hub for Avianca and LATAM Colombia.

Is FUEC mandatory for airport transfers?

Yes. The FUEC (Formato Único de Extracto del Contrato) is mandatory for all special transportation services in Colombia, including airport transfers.

How much does an executive airport transfer cost in Colombia?

Varies by city and vehicle. Reference ranges: Bogotá from $95,000 COP (~$22 USD), Medellín from $120,000 COP (~$28 USD), Cali from $85,000 COP (~$20 USD), Cartagena from $65,000 COP (~$15 USD). Includes professional driver and flight monitoring.

What's the difference between white plate and yellow plate?

White plate vehicles are authorized for public special transport by the Ministry of Transport, with insurance, FUEC, and professional drivers. Yellow plates are taxis. Only white plates can legally operate special transportation.

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Colombia Airports Guide for Corporate Travelers 2026

2026-03-11 11 min Equipo Transportes Ejecutivos

Colombia has a network of international and domestic airports connecting the country's main business cities. This guide compiles the essential data every travel manager and corporate traveler needs: IATA codes, distances to urban centers, transfer times, operating airlines, and ground transportation recommendations.

El Dorado Airport (BOG) — Bogotá

IATA Code: BOG. Location: Fontibón, within Bogotá city limits. Distance to financial district: 12 km (Zona T / Calle 100). Transfer time: 35-60 min to north Bogotá, 25-40 min to downtown, 50-70 min to Chía. Annual passengers: 38+ million (Colombia's largest). Major airlines: Avianca, LATAM, Copa, American, United, JetBlue, Spirit, Air France, Iberia, Turkish Airlines. Terminals: T1 (international & domestic) and T2 (Avianca domestic). Tips: Rush hour traffic (7-9am, 5-8pm) can double transfer times. Request flight monitoring for automatic pickup adjustment.

José María Córdova Airport (MDE) — Medellín

IATA Code: MDE. Location: Rionegro, Antioquia (NOT in Medellín city). Distance to El Poblado: 45 km. Transfer time: 45-60 min via Túnel de Oriente (fast route 25-30 min), 60-90 min via Las Palmas. Annual passengers: 12+ million. Airlines: Avianca, LATAM, Copa, Spirit, JetBlue, Wingo. Tips: Mountain road to airport. Túnel de Oriente significantly reduces time. Medellín also has Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) for regional flights within the city.

Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (CLO) — Cali

IATA Code: CLO. Location: Palmira, Valle del Cauca. Distance to Cali center: 25 km. Transfer time: 30-40 min. Annual passengers: 7+ million. Airlines: Avianca, LATAM, Copa, Spirit, Wingo, JetBlue. Tips: Airport is in Palmira municipality, not Cali. Flat, fast highway. Cali hosted COP16 in 2024, improving road infrastructure.

Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) — Cartagena

IATA Code: CTG. Location: Crespo neighborhood, within Cartagena. Distance to Bocagrande: 5 km. Distance to Walled City: 3 km. Transfer time: 10-20 min to hotel zones. Annual passengers: 6+ million. Airlines: Avianca, LATAM, Copa, Spirit, JetBlue, Wingo. Tips: Closest airport to city center in Colombia. During convention season (January-March) traffic increases significantly.

Coffee Triangle Airports: El Edén (AXM), Matecaña (PEI), La Nubia (MZL)

Armenia — AXM: In La Tebaida, 15 km (20 min). 780K passengers/year. International flights via Spirit and Copa. Pereira — PEI: In the city, 5 km (10 min). 3+ million passengers. International flights. Manizales — MZL: In the city, 8 km (20 min). 400K passengers. Domestic only. Tips: The Coffee Triangle works as an integrated system. Many travelers fly into PEI or AXM and transfer between the 3 cities. A single transport provider for all 3 cities optimizes costs and logistics.

Recommendations for Travel Managers

1. Book executive transport in advance — especially during peak season (December-January, Easter, conventions).
2. Request flight monitoring — provider adjusts pickup if your flight is delayed.
3. Require white plates and FUEC — mandatory by law for special transportation in Colombia.
4. Centralize with one provider — a nationwide operator simplifies invoicing, reporting and management.
5. Verify certifications — Bureau Veritas, Ministry of Transport authorization.
6. Request DIAN electronic invoicing — tax requirement in Colombia since 2020.