If you have flights in Colombia on July 19 and 20, these are the airspace closure times in Bogotá and Santa Marta for Independence Day.

The Civil Aeronautics Department announced this Thursday, July 17, in an official statement that, in observance of Independence Day events on July 19 and 20, temporary airspace closures have been ordered in the cities of Bogotá and Santa Marta.

These short-term closures will take place in the morning and will not last long. Details are provided below.

During these days, military aircraft and air demonstrations will be part of the national celebrations for Independence Day.

In Santa Marta, the 500th anniversary of the city's founding will be celebrated with a series of events led by the Military Forces and Police from different regions of the country. A tribute will also be paid to the cry for independence of 1810.

Aerocivil emphasizes that the closures were planned in advance and coordinated with the airline operators so they could notify their passengers of possible changes to their flight schedules.

The agency "invites all passengers with flights scheduled during these dates to consult with their airlines for possible schedule adjustments and to avoid inconveniences or delays."

By order of the National Government, Santa Marta will be the main city for the traditional military and police parade on Independence Day this year, while Bogotá will maintain its usual route and other capital cities will hold simultaneous commemorative events.

In Santa Marta, the parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be led by the President of the Republic. More than 1,800 uniformed personnel from the Colombian Army, the Colombian Navy, the Colombian Aerospace Force, and the National Police will participate in the procession, which will begin at the intersection of Carrera 1A and Avenida del Ferrocarril, pass by the iconic Camellón de la Bahía, and end at the Eduardo Santos Stadium.

Stretching over three kilometers, the route will allow residents of Santa Marta to experience firsthand the logistical and operational capabilities of the forces on land, sea, and air, in a display that combines exhibition and tribute.

In Bogotá, the parade will take place on Boyacá Avenue, from 148th Street to 80th Street, a stretch of more than seven kilometers. Nearly 8,000 uniformed personnel are expected to participate, organized into themed groups, which will include everything from Military Engineering teams to explosive ordnance disposal units, dog teams, Coast Guard troops, and contingents in historical uniforms.

Along the route, Bogota residents and visitors will be able to witness the confident march of soldiers, marines, pilots, and police officers, in an event that traditionally attracts families, schools, and tourists.

Cities like Cali, Medellín, and other departmental capitals will also hold smaller, but equally symbolic, commemorative parades . These will include the participation of cadets, training school students, mounted units, and Special Forces personnel who will showcase some of their training and capabilities.

Furthermore, for the first time, San José del Guaviare will join the national parade. This inclusion seeks to highlight the institutional presence in a region facing a complex public order situation, marked by clashes between armed groups, lockdowns, terrorist attacks, and the murder of social and religious leaders.

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