Bogotá, January de 2025

SATENA, the airline of Colombians, is advancing its commitment to sustainability by implementing a solar-powered engine cooling system, optimizing the maintenance of its aircraft and reducing its carbon footprint. The initiative began operating on the route between San Andrés and Providencia, where environmental conditions pose a challenge to air operations.

Since 2023, SATENA has provided its air service on the San Andrés-Providencia-San Andrés route with ATR 42 aircraft, which, due to high levels of salinity in the coastal environment, must receive special maintenance treatment permanently. Due to this, the airline incorporated compressor washes in the engines and developed a system of fans that work with solar energy that accelerates cooling, reducing maintenance times. Now, with the incorporation of solar panels, the process becomes more efficient and sustainable.

"This advance represents an achievement in SATENA's operation, since it not only improves the performance of our aircraft, but also allows us to optimize maintenance times and reduce operating costs. The transition to solar energy in this process is a key step in our commitment to a more sustainable and efficient aviation," said Major General Óscar Zuluaga, president of SATENA.

Initially, the fans operated with a gasoline-powered electric plant, which generated high fuel consumption and polluting emissions. With the use of solar energy, SATENA has managed to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in this stage of maintenance, reduce costs and improve the availability of its aircraft. This not only contributes to sustainability, but also speeds up inspection and preparation processes, guaranteeing more efficient air connectivity for passengers.

The implementation of this technology marks a significant advance for the airline, a model that it plans to extend to other operating bases in the country such as Medellin and Cali, operation centers close to the Pacific Ocean.

With this initiative, SATENA strengthens its leadership in the adoption of innovative solutions for regional aviation, aligning with global decarbonization efforts and reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency.