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Ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART is temporarily relocating its Pereira operations to Armenia’s El Edén International Airport after an August 10 earthquake forced the closure of Pereira’s Matecaña Airport, a move that underscores both the fragility and the growing importance of air connectivity in Colombia’s coffee region.
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Temporary Move From Matecaña To El Edén
Publicly available information indicates that Matecaña International Airport in Pereira suspended operations following structural and operational concerns triggered by the August 10, 2026 earthquake in Colombia’s coffee-growing axis. As a result, JetSMART has announced that flights originally scheduled to operate to and from Pereira will instead use Armenia’s El Edén International Airport on a temporary basis.
Specialist aviation coverage reports that the airline has reassigned its Pereira flights to Armenia to maintain service for passengers who had already booked tickets on domestic routes involving the central-west city. The change applies to flights scheduled during the period in which Matecaña remains unavailable, with Armenia acting as the primary alternative gateway for the region.
According to published route information, Pereira had become an important node in JetSMART’s Colombian network since the launch of its domestic operation in March 2024, with services linking the city to Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta and other destinations on a low-cost model. The temporary substitution of Armenia for Pereira allows the airline to preserve much of this connectivity, even as airport authorities in Pereira work on assessments and remedial plans.
Route timing, aircraft type and frequency are broadly expected to remain similar, but passengers must now depart from or arrive at El Edén, located in Armenia in the neighboring department of Quindío, roughly 60 to 70 kilometers by road from Pereira depending on the chosen route.
Expanded Flexibility For Affected Passengers
Aviation industry reports note that JetSMART has implemented an expanded flexibility policy for travelers whose plans are disrupted by the closure of Matecaña and the subsequent move to Armenia. The measures apply to tickets purchased for travel to, from or via Pereira during the affected period, including some itineraries involving Cali, another important hub in the airline’s Colombian network.
According to this published guidance, eligible passengers are being offered options such as changing their travel dates without penalty, rebooking to alternative routes within the airline’s Colombian network, or adjusting their origin or destination between Pereira and Armenia when operationally feasible. In many cases, fare differences are being waived within specific date ranges, while more substantial itinerary changes may involve additional costs.
These policies are designed to help both local residents and visitors adapt to rapidly changing conditions following the earthquake, which has affected not only aviation but also road and tourism infrastructure in parts of the region. For travelers relying on low-cost carriers to keep overall trip budgets under control, the added flexibility may help offset the inconvenience of last-minute airport changes.
Travel forums and previous disruption cases in the region suggest that passengers using ultra-low-cost airlines need to pay close attention to emails, app notifications and booking management tools to confirm any airport, schedule or routing changes. In this situation, checking whether a ticket now lists Armenia (AXM) instead of Pereira (PEI) is especially important.
Armenia’s El Edén Steps Up As Regional Gateway
El Edén International Airport in Armenia already served as an alternative entry point to Colombia’s coffee region before the current disruption. Public data on the airport shows that it handles a mix of domestic and international traffic, with routes to major Colombian cities such as Bogotá and Medellín, served by several carriers including low-cost operators.
The temporary move by JetSMART adds further weight to El Edén’s role as a backup and complementary airport for the coffee axis, which encompasses Pereira, Armenia and Manizales. The region is heavily dependent on tourism linked to coffee farms, nature activities and short-stay city breaks, meaning that any long-term interruption to air service can have an immediate impact on local economies.
In recent years, Colombian aviation policy and airline strategy have both encouraged the use of secondary airports like El Edén to diversify connectivity and relieve pressure on the country’s largest hubs. Armenia’s ability to absorb extra flights at short notice illustrates the benefits of that approach, especially when unforeseen events temporarily knock key gateways like Pereira offline.
Travel planners highlight that Armenia’s airport is smaller and typically less congested than top-tier hubs, which can translate into shorter lines and simpler terminal navigation. At the same time, ground connectivity between Armenia and nearby cities such as Pereira is critical, and ground transport providers are likely to adjust schedules to match the new demand pattern while Matecaña remains closed.
Coffee Region Connectivity Under Strain, But Growing
JetSMART’s adjustment comes against a backdrop of expanding air service in Colombia’s coffee region. Since launching domestic operations in March 2024, the carrier has steadily grown its Colombian network, incorporating routes to and from Pereira and other secondary cities as part of a broader low-cost competition dynamic in the country’s skies.
Industry analyses of JetSMART’s performance in Colombia describe strong load factors and rapid expansion in the number of domestic routes, with the airline positioning itself as an affordable option connecting mid-sized cities like Pereira, Santa Marta, Cartagena, San Andrés, Cúcuta and Montería with Bogotá and Cali. Other airlines, including full-service and budget competitors, have also increased capacity to cities across the coffee axis in response to rising travel demand.
The earthquake-related closure at Pereira interrupts this growth story in the short term, particularly for residents and businesses that had come to rely on direct links from Matecaña to the rest of Colombia. However, the swift rerouting of services to Armenia and the presence of alternative carriers at both airports signal a degree of resilience in the region’s air transport system.
Travel market observers point out that events such as natural disasters often accelerate coordination between airports, airlines and local tourism bodies, leading to improved contingency planning and, in some cases, new permanent route opportunities once the immediate crisis has passed.
What Travelers Should Expect In The Coming Weeks
For travelers with imminent plans involving Pereira, the most practical impact of JetSMART’s decision is the shift in departure and arrival airport. Passengers will need to factor in extra travel time to reach El Edén in Armenia instead of Matecaña in Pereira, and should verify the exact airport code and address on their updated itineraries.
Information published by the airline and independent aviation outlets indicates that the temporary move will remain in place until Matecaña can safely resume regular operations. As damage assessments, repairs and regulatory reviews proceed, additional timetable adjustments are possible, especially if airport reopening dates change or if further seismic activity affects the region.
Travelers considering new bookings to Colombia’s coffee region over the coming weeks are advised by industry coverage and travel advisories to remain flexible on dates and airports, to monitor conditions at both Pereira and Armenia, and to budget for potential changes in ground transportation between cities. Choosing fares that allow no-fee changes or credits can help manage uncertainty when flying with low-cost carriers in a shifting operational environment.
For now, JetSMART’s shift from Pereira to Armenia illustrates both the vulnerability of regional air networks to natural events and the growing redundancy created by Colombia’s expanding roster of secondary airports, which can step in to keep travelers and local economies connected when primary gateways go offline.
AviationClubCenter coverage of JetSMART’s Pereira to Armenia move
Official information hub for Pereira’s Matecaña International Airport