Avianca Celebrates 105 Years at WTE Miami 2024
Avianca, the oldest airline in the Americas and the second oldest in the world, is commemorating its 105th anniversary at the World Travel Expo (WTE) 2024, which takes place from October 21 to 23 in Miami. With a distinguished history in aviation, the airline continues to expand and modernize its operations.
Rolando Damas, Avianca’s Director for North America, Asia, and Europe, spoke with Caribbean News Digital about the airline’s recent achievements and future steps in sustainability and route expansion.
Route Expansion and New International Connections
2024 has been a year of significant growth for Avianca. According to Damas, the airline has launched over 20 new routes this year. Notable among them is the Paris-Bogotá route, inaugurated in July, and the recently launched Chicago-Bogotá route. “We’re very happy. In July, we launched Paris, and this weekend we launched Chicago-Bogotá. We’re constantly adding capacity in different markets,” Damas said, emphasizing that their growth has exceeded expectations.
Among Avianca’s standout routes are those connecting Europe to Latin America. Damas highlighted the success of operations in Madrid and London. “In London, we have a daily flight on the 787 Dreamliner, with a full-flat business class. We sell a lot of business class on this route because it’s obviously a long flight.” Additionally, Avianca operates up to four daily flights between Madrid and Bogotá, along with direct routes to Cali and Medellín, positioning Madrid as a major hub for the airline.
Avianca’s expansion extends beyond Europe to Latin America, with a particular focus on Central America. The Madrid-San Salvador route has shown excellent results, and Damas hinted that this temporary route might return next summer due to its strong market reception.
Fleet Innovation and Commitment to Sustainability
As part of its modernization plan, Avianca has ordered over 100 Airbus 320Nios aircraft, known for their fuel efficiency. “These aircraft generate 20% less carbon, which is really good and very efficient,” Damas explained. Currently, Avianca operates a fleet of 140 planes, nine of which are dedicated solely to cargo.
Avianca’s environmental commitment is a core pillar of its strategy. Between 2019 and 2024, the airline has reduced carbon emissions per passenger by 26%, a “spectacular achievement,” according to Damas. This reduction is part of a broader sustainability strategy aimed at continuing innovation and operational efficiency improvements.
Avianca Cargo: A Growing and Profitable Segment
Air cargo has become an increasingly important segment for Avianca, which has expanded its fleet of planes dedicated exclusively to freight. “We have planes 100% dedicated to cargo, flying throughout the region, even to Europe,” Damas noted. The transport of products such as flowers and fish from Latin America to other markets has been one of the key growth drivers in this sector.
Avianca’s focus is not limited to the Americas and Europe; the airline is also strengthening its presence in the Asian market. “We have representation in China, Japan, Korea, and Australia,” Damas shared, noting that many Asian passengers connect with Avianca through hubs like Los Angeles and New York. Additionally, Madrid remains a crucial connecting point for Asian passengers traveling to Latin America, as they can transit without a visa in Spain.
Success in Punctuality and Growth
2023 was a historic year for Avianca, not only in terms of passenger numbers but also for its operational performance. The airline was recognized as “the most punctual airline in the world” with an 85.73% on-time performance, according to analysis firm Cerium. “2023 was the best year in Avianca’s history in terms of numbers,” Damas stated, adding that in 2024 they aim to surpass last year’s figures, with operations in 25 countries and a projected traffic exceeding 32 million passengers.
Strategic Partnership with ProColombia at WTE Miami
At the World Travel Expo 2024, Colombia has been invited as the partner country, providing an ideal platform to highlight the importance of air connections between Miami and key Colombian cities. Avianca, with four daily flights between Miami and Bogotá, along with direct flights to Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena, plays a key role in this dynamic.
Last year, Avianca’s participation in WTE was a “test trial,” according to Damas, but due to its success, the airline decided to return as an official sponsor of the event this year. “We are the official airline and sponsor,” Damas said, highlighting the importance of this partnership with ProColombia in promoting tourism and air connections between Colombia and the rest of the world.
With 105 years of history, Avianca continues to lead the way in Latin American aviation, blending its rich tradition with a forward-looking vision that includes technological innovation, sustainability, and a strong focus on global expansion.
