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{{Short description|Flag carrier and largest airline of Colombia}}
{{about|the Colombian airline}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = avianca
| caption = An Avianca [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner#787-8|Boeing 787-8]] arriving [[Madrid–Barajas Airport]].
| logo = Logo Avianca (Colombia) 2023.svg
| logo_upright =
| logo_size = 
| image = Boeing 787-8 ‘N783AV’ Avianca (26953627630).jpg
| fleet_size = 126{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
| destinations = 74<ref>{{Cite web |title=avianca airlines on ch-aviation |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/AV4 |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=ch-aviation |language=en}}</ref>
| IATA = AV
| ICAO = AVA
| callsign = AVIANCA
| parent = [[Avianca Group]]
| subsidiaries = [[Helicol]] <!-- For affiliates, please see Avianca Group -->
| founded = {{start date and age|1919|12|05}} {{small|(as [[SCADTA]])}}<!-- This date has been arrived at as a part of consensus - please see both References and Talk:Avianca#Article_protection_-_date_of_founding - PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT NEW EVIDENCE -->
| commenced = 
| aoc = ANCF173C<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regulations.gov|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=ANCF&OPER_FAR=129&OPER_NAME=AEROVIAS+DEL+CONTINENTE+AMERICANO+S+A|access-date=2023-06-01|archive-date=2023-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601195258/https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=ANCF&OPER_FAR=129&OPER_NAME=AEROVIAS+DEL+CONTINENTE+AMERICANO+S+A|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| headquarters = {{ubl|
  | '''[[Registered office]]:''' [[Barranquilla]], [[Colombia]]
  | '''[[Corporate headquarters]]:''' [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia]]}}
| key_people = {{bulleted list|
  | Roberto Kriete ([[Chairman]])
  | Frederico Pedreira ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
  | Rohit Philip ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])}}
| hubs = {{nowrap|[[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá]]}}
| secondary_hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport|Cali]]
  | [[Rafael Núñez International Airport|Cartagena]]
  | [[José María Córdova International Airport|Medellín–JMC]]}}
| focus_cities = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport|Barranquilla]]
  | [[Miami International Airport|Miami]]
  | [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]]
  | [[Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]]}}
| frequent_flyer = LifeMiles
| alliance = [[Star Alliance]]
| operating_income = {{increase}} [[Colombian Peso|COP]] 100.3 [[1000000000 (number)|B]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aviancaholdings.com/English/investor-relations/financial-information/default.aspx|title=Avianca Holdings S.A., Investor Relations - Financial Information|access-date=2020-02-20|archive-date=2020-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301084847/http://aviancaholdings.com/English/investor-relations/financial-information/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> (''FY 2019 Q3'')
| assets = {{increase}} [[Colombian peso|COP]] 2.403.632 [[million|M]] (''FY 2008'')
| website = {{URL|www.avianca.com}}
| num_employees = 9853 (2020)<ref>{{cite web|title=Number of employees of Avianca Holdings S.A. in 2020, by country|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1092969/employees-by-country-avianca-holdings|access-date=2024-12-08}}</ref>
}}
<!--Do not add phone number-->

'''Avianca [[List of legal entity types by country#Colombia|S.A.]]''' ([[acronym and initialism|acronym]] in [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for ''Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A.''; {{lit|Airways of American Continent S.A.}}), stylized as '''avianca''' since October 2023, is the largest [[airline]] in [[Colombia]]. It has been the [[flag carrier]] of Colombia<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/decretoslinea/2005/marzo/07/DEC604070305.pdf|title=Decreto número 604 de 2005 por el cual se concede la Orden del Mérito Comercial en la Categoría de Gran Oficial a Avianca|author=Álvaro Uribe Vélez|author2=Jorge Humberto Botero Angulo|date=7 March 2005|publisher=Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo de la República de Colombia|location=Bogotá, D.C. (Colombia)|language=es|trans-title=Decree number 604 of 2005 which grants to Avianca the Order of Commercial Merit in the Category of Great Officer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/discursos/discursos2005/junio/avianca.htm|title=Discurso de entrega de la Orden del Mérito Comercial en la Categoría de Gran Oficial a Avianca
| author = Álvaro Uribe Vélez
| date = 7 March 2005
| publisher = Presidencia de la República de Colombia|location=Bogotá, D.C. (Colombia)|language=es|trans-title=Presidential address on the Order of Commercial Merit in the Category of Great Officer to Avianca|format=.htm|quote=''Nosotros no podemos perder la oportunidad de tener en Bogotá ese gran centro de conexiones. Y por supuesto, que lo haga la compañía bandera de Colombia, que es Avianca. Eso lo tiene que explicar el Gobierno a la opinión pública clara y paladinamente, sin malicias, sin cartas escondidas, y salir a defenderlo y decir por qué hay que hacerlo.'' }}</ref> since December 5, 1919, when it was initially registered under the name [[SCADTA]].<!-- This date has been arrived at as a part of consensus - please see both References and Talk:Avianca#Article_protection_-_date_of_founding - PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT NEW EVIDENCE --><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://190.24.134.67/sentencias/seccion%20primera/1989/ce-sec1-exp1989-n132.doc
|title=Sentencia del Honorable Consejo de Estado de la República de Colombia con relación al proceso número 132 que reposa en el expediente del año 1989 (ce-sec1-exp1989-n132)
|author=Simón Rodríguez Rodríguez
|date=21 September 1989
|publisher=Consejo de Estado de la República de Colombia
|location=Bogotá, D.C. (Colombia)
|pages=10, 16, 5th paragraph
|language=es
|trans-title=Sentence of the Honourable Council of State of the Republic of Colombia in relation to process number 132 which rests on the record of 1989 (ce-sec1-exp1989-n132)
|format=.doc
|quote=Desde ningún punto de vista puede abrigarse duda alguna acerca del carácter eminentemente privado de la empresa Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia AVIANCA S. A. La prueba por excelencia en este caso, como es el certificado expedido por el Secretario de la Cámara de Comercio de Barranquilla así lo determina (fls. 2 a 10). En él se lee que la empresa se constituyó por escritura pública número 2374, otorgada ante Notaría Segunda de Barranquilla, el día 5 de diciembre de 1919, registrada en el Juzgado Tercero del mismo Circuito, llamada inicialmente Sociedad Colombo – Alemana de Transportes Aéreos -SCADTA-.
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704023748/http://190.24.134.67/sentencias/seccion%20primera/1989/ce-sec1-exp1989-n132.doc
|archive-date=2011-07-04
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Friedman|first=Max Paul|date=April 2000|title=Specter of a Nazi Threat: United States-Colombian Relations, 1939–1945|journal=The Americas|volume=56|issue=4|pages= 563–589 [566 2nd paragraph]|publisher=Catholic University of America Press on behalf of Academy of American Franciscan History|location= Washington, D.C. (United States)|doi=10.1017/S0003161500029849|jstor=1008173|s2cid=147077020}}</ref> It is headquartered in Colombia, with its [[registered office]] in [[Barranquilla]] and its [[Corporate headquarters|global headquarters]] in [[Bogotá]] and main [[Airline hub|hub]] at [[El Dorado International Airport]]. Avianca is the flagship of a [[Avianca Group|group of airlines of the Americas]], which operates as one airline using a codesharing system. Avianca is the [[List of largest airlines in South America|largest airline in Colombia]] and second largest in [[South America]], after [[LATAM Chile|LATAM]] of [[Chile]]. Avianca and its subsidiaries have the most extensive network of destinations in the Americas.<ref>{{cite news|title=Avianca-TACA joint venture ready for implementation|date=2 February 2010|publisher=Flightglobal|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/02/337937/avianca-taca-joint-venture-ready-for-implementation.html|access-date=2 February 2010}}</ref> Before the merger with TACA in 2010, it was wholly owned by [[Synergy Group]], a South American [[holding company]] established by [[Germán Efromovich]] and specializing in [[air transport]]. It is listed on the Colombia Stock Exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/avianca-taca-joint-venture-ready-for-implementation-337937/|title=Flightgobal: Avianca-TACA joint venture ready for implementation|date=2 February 2010|publisher=Flightglobal.com|access-date=28 September 2012}}</ref>

Through SCADTA, Avianca is one of the [[List of airlines by foundation date|world's oldest extant airlines]] and dates its founding to 1919.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kalić |first=Milica |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Introduction_to_the_Air_Transport_System/BqR9EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT22&printsec=frontcover |title=Introduction to the Air Transport System |last2=Dožić |first2=Slavica |last3=Babić |first3=Danica |date=2022-09-29 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-000-73765-3 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Allaz |first=Camille |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/History_of_Air_Cargo_and_Airmail_from_th/fPLm9omt_YIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA133&printsec=frontcover |title=History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century |date=2005 |publisher=Google Consultant |isbn=978-0-9548896-0-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Armitage |first=M. J. |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Chronicle_of_Aviation/iQo1lgAbVJ4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover |title=Chronicle of Aviation |last2=Gunston |first2=Bill |date=1992 |publisher=JL International Pub. |isbn=978-1-872031-30-9 |language=en |quote=Avianca founded in 1919}}</ref> It became a member of [[Star Alliance]] on June 21, 2012, after a process that lasted approximately 18 months from the initial announcement<ref>{{cite news|title=Avianca-Taca and Copa Airlines to join Star Alliance|date=11 October 2010|publisher=Star Alliance|url=http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/cmavta-prp/|access-date=11 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114141827/http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/cmavta-prp|archive-date=14 November 2010 }}</ref> of its invitation to join the alliance.<ref>{{cite news|title= Avianca, Taca Airlines and Copa Airlines joined Star Alliance|date=21 June 2012|publisher=Star Alliance|url=http://www.staralliance.com/es/press/cmavta-joining-prp//|access-date= 21 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415224147/http://www.staralliance.com/es/press/cmavta-joining-prp//|archive-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> On May 10, 2020, Avianca filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] in a court in New York City, and liquidated its subsidiary [[Avianca Perú]], due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] crisis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.explica.co/avianca-files-for-bankruptcy-in-the-united-states-due-to-the-covid-19-crisis-2/|date=11 May 2020|title=Avianca files for bankruptcy in the United States due to the COVID-19 crisis|publisher=Explica|access-date=11 May 2020|archive-date=16 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516022843/https://www.explica.co/avianca-files-for-bankruptcy-in-the-united-states-due-to-the-covid-19-crisis-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/90169-avianca-holdings-files-for-chapter-11|date=10 May 2020|title=Avianca Holdings files for Chapter 11|website=CH-AVIATION|access-date=May 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=World's 'second oldest airline' files for bankruptcy|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-avianca-colombian-airline-files-for-bankruptcy/9b58d270-5fc9-45e1-96ba-33229a8d7b8d|website=www.9news.com.au|date=12 May 2020 |access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>

==History==
===SCADTA (1919–1940)===
{{Main|SCADTA}}
[[File:SCADTA Junkers W 34 "Magdalena".jpg|thumb|left|A SCADTA [[Junkers W 34]] "Magdalena", circa 1920s]]

The airline traces its history back to December 5, 1919, in the city of [[Barranquilla]], Colombia. Colombians Ernesto Cortissoz Alvarez-Correa (the first President of the airline), Rafael María Palacio, Cristóbal Restrepo, Jacobo Correa and Aristides Noguera and [[German people|Germans]] Werner Kämmerer, Stuart Hosie, and Albert Tietjen founded the Colombo-German Company, called ''Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aéreos'' or '''SCADTA'''. The company accomplished its first flight on September 5, 1920, between Barranquilla and the nearby town of [[Puerto Colombia]] using a [[Junkers F.13]], transporting 57 pieces of mail. The flight was piloted by German Helmuth von Krohn. This and another aircraft of the same type were completely mechanically constructed [[monoplane]]s, the engines of which had to be modified to efficiently operate in the climate of the country. There were nine aircraft in the fleet with a total range of {{convert|850|km|0|abbr=on}}, which could carry up to four passengers and two crewmen. Due to the topographic characteristics of the country and the lack of airports at the time, floats were adapted for two of the [[Junkers]] aircraft to make [[water landing]]s in the rivers near different towns. Using these floats, Helmuth von Krohn was able to perform the first inland flight over Colombia on October 20, 1920, following the course of the [[Magdalena River]]; the flight took eight hours and required four emergency landings in the water.

Soon after the airline was founded, German scientist and [[philanthropy|philanthropist]] Peter von Bauer became interested in the airline and contributed general knowledge, [[Financial capital|capital]] and a tenth aircraft for the company, as well as obtaining [[concession (contract)|concessions]] from the Colombian government to operate the country's [[airmail]] transportation division using the airline, which began in 1922. This new contract allowed SCADTA to thrive in a new frontier of aviation. By the mid-1920s, SCADTA started its first international routes covering destinations in Venezuela and the United States. In 1924, the aircraft that both Ernesto Cortissoz and Helmuth von Krohn were flying crashed into an area currently known as Bocas de Ceniza in Barranquilla, killing them. In the early 1940s, Peter von Bauer sold his shares in the airline to the US-owned [[Pan Am]].

===National Airways of Colombia (1940–1994)===
[[File:Avianca Boeing 747-259B (M); EI-CEO@MIA, June 1993 (5659668614).jpg|thumb|Former Avianca [[Boeing 747-100]] at [[Miami International Airport]] in 1993]]
On June 14, 1940, in the city of Barranquilla, SCADTA, under ownership by United States businessmen, merged with regional Colombian airline [[SACO (Colombia)|SACO]], forming the new '''''A'''ero'''vía'''s '''N'''acionales de '''C'''olombi'''a''' S.A.'' or '''Avianca'''. Five Colombians participated in this: Rafael María Palacio, Jacobo A. Correa, Cristobal Restrepo, and Aristides Noguera, as well as [[Germany|German]] citizens Albert Teitjen, Werner Kämerer, and Stuart Hosie, while the post of first President of Avianca was filled by Martín del Corral. Avianca claims SCADTA's history as its own.

In 1946, Avianca began flights to [[Quito]], [[Lima]], [[Panama City]], [[Miami]], [[New York City]] and Europe, using [[Douglas DC-4]]s and [[C-54 Skymaster]]s. In 1951, Avianca acquired [[Lockheed Constellation]]s and [[Super Constellation]]s.{{cn|date=June 2024}} In 1956, the company transported the Colombian delegation to the [[Melbourne Olympics]] on a 61-hour trip, stopping only to refuel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Avianca |url=https://www.seatmaestro.com/airlines-seating-maps/avianca/history/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=SeatMaestro |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 1960s, the company built the [[Avianca Building]] in Bogotá, designed by the architect Germán Samper, which was inaugurated in 1969 on the south side of [[Santander Park]]. In 1961, Avianca leased two [[Boeing 707]]s to operate its international routes, and on November 2, 1961, it acquired its own [[Boeing 720]]s. In 1976, Avianca became the first [[South America]]n airline to continuously operate the [[Boeing 747]]. Three years later, it started operations with more 747s, including two Combi aircraft, mixing cargo and passenger operations.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

In 1981, Avianca undertook the construction of a new exclusive terminal called the [[Terminal Puente Aéreo]], which was eventually inaugurated by President Julio César Turbay Ayala. Avianca's original purpose for the terminal was for flights serving Cali, Medellín, Miami, and New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://colombia.as.com/actualidad/por-que-el-aeropuerto-internacional-de-colombia-se-llama-el-dorado-historia-y-origen-del-nombre-n/|title=¿Por qué el aeropuerto internacional de Colombia se llama El Dorado?: historia y origen del nombre|website=Colombia.as.com|author=María Fernanda Cedeño|date=15 July 2022 |language=es|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref>

===Merger system (1994–2002)===
[[File:Avianca Boeing 767-200ER Dallimonti.jpg|thumb|Former Avianca [[Boeing 767-200ER]] taxiing at [[José María Córdova International Airport]] in 2004]]
In 1994, Avianca, the regional carrier [[SAM Colombia|SAM]] and the helicopter operator [[Helicol]] merged, beginning Avianca's new system of operations. This arrangement allowed for specialized services in cargo (Avianca Cargo) and postal services, as well as a more modern fleet, made up of [[Boeing 767]]s, [[Boeing 757]]s, [[MD-83]]s, [[Fokker 50]]s, and [[Bell Helicopter|Bell]] helicopters. In September 1996, Avianca Postal Services became ''Deprisa'', which provided various mail services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deprisa.com/Historia|title=Deprisa - Historia|website=Deprisa.com}}</ref>

On December 10, 1998, Avianca officially opened its new hub in Bogotá, offering around 6,000 possible connections per week, and an increased number of frequencies, schedules, and destinations, taking advantage of the privileged geographical location of the country's capital, for the benefit of Colombian and international travelers between South America, Europe, and North America.

===Summa Alliance (2002–2004)===
After the [[September 11 attacks]], Avianca, SAM, and their major rival [[ACES Colombia|ACES]] joined efforts to create the ''Alianza Summa'', which began merged operations on May 20, 2002, to offer a more efficient service with concerns to quality, quantity, security and competition in a new struggling marketplace. However, adverse circumstances within the industry and markets forced the alliance to disband. In November 2003, the Alianza Summa was disbanded, ACES was liquidated altogether, and SAM was acquired to be a regional carrier under Avianca's brand.

===Airways of the Americas (2004–2009)===
On December 10, 2004, Avianca concluded a major reorganization process, undertaken after filing for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] bankruptcy protection, by obtaining confirmation of its reorganization plan, which was financially backed by the Brazilian consortium, [[Synergy Group]] and the [[Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia|National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia]], allowing the airline to obtain funds for US$63 million, in the 13 months following withdrawal from bankruptcy.

[[File:Avianca.svg|thumb|Avianca's former logo (2005–2013)]]

Under this plan, Avianca was bought by Synergy Group and was consolidated with its subsidiaries [[OceanAir]] and [[Vuelos Internos Privados|VIP]]. The company's full legal name was changed from ''Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia'' (National Airways of Colombia) to ''Aerovías del Continente Americano'' ([[Airline|Airways]] [[Flag carrier#List of flag-carrying airlines|of]] [[Americas|the continent of America]]), retaining the acronym Avianca. On February 28, 2005, Avianca presented its new logo and livery.

===Avianca–TACA merger (2009–2013)===
[[File:Avianca Airbus A330-243 Bogota PAOC.jpg|thumb|Former Avianca [[Airbus A330-200]] at [[El Dorado International Airport]] in 2009]]
In October 2009, it was announced that Avianca would merge with [[TACA Airlines]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Avianca confirms 'strategic merger' with TACA|date= 10 July 2009|publisher=Flightglobal|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/10/07/333194/avianca-confirms-strategic-merger-with-taca.html|access-date=10 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8296256.stm|title=Latin American airlines to merge|date=8 October 2009|access-date=12 December 2014|website=BBC}}</ref> This created [[AviancaTaca Holding]], which instantly became one of the region's largest airlines, with 129 aircraft and flights to more than 100 destinations.

In November 2009, the airline's Chief Executive Fabio Villegas announced that the airline was looking to replace its [[Fokker 50]] and [[Fokker 100]] with newer aircraft of 100 seats or fewer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eturbonews.com/13018/fabio-villegas-avianca-replace-fokker-jets|title=Avianca looking to replace Fokkers 100|publisher=Eturbonews.com|date=30 November 2009|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303212741/http://www.eturbonews.com/13018/fabio-villegas-avianca-replace-fokker-jets|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 1, 2011, the airline decided to retire the Fokker 100 in 2011 and replace them with 10 [[Airbus A318]]s leased from [[GECAS]]. The aircraft were delivered from February to April 2011.

====Star Alliance====
On November 10, 2010, [[Star Alliance]] announced that Avianca (and its merger counterpart, TACA) would be full members in 2012. Due to Avianca's entry into Star Alliance, it ended its [[codeshare agreement]] with [[Delta Air Lines]] and began a new codeshare agreement with [[United Airlines]]. TACA has been codesharing with United Airlines since 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avianca.co.uk/news/copa-airlines-copa-airlines-colombia-united-airlines-and-avianca-taca-announce-their-intention-to-establish-close-cooperation-agreements|title=Copa Airlines, Copa Airlines Colombia, United Airlines and Avianca-TACA announce their intention to establish close cooperation agreements|publisher=avianca.co.uk|date=28 January 2011|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002003422/http://www.avianca.co.uk/news/copa-airlines-copa-airlines-colombia-united-airlines-and-avianca-taca-announce-their-intention-to-establish-close-cooperation-agreements|archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 21, 2012, Avianca and TACA were both officially admitted into Star Alliance.

===Avianca Holdings (2013–2019)===
On March 21, 2013, at the annual general meeting, the shareholders approved the change of corporate name from ''AviancaTaca Holding'' to [[Avianca Holdings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/economia/articulo-411841-avianca-se-quito-el-apellido-taca|title=Avianca se quitó el apellido Taca|work=ElEspectador|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420004338/https://www.elespectador.com/noticias/economia/articulo-411841-avianca-se-quito-el-apellido-taca|url-status=dead}}</ref> TACA and all other AviancaTaca airlines changed their brand to Avianca on May 28, 2013.

As of 2017, Avianca operates the second-most daily international flights from Miami with 16, second only to [[American Airlines]].

In August 2018, Avianca had some operational difficulties due to problems with the platform it used to assign crew schedules. This resulted in the cancellation of several flights within Colombia. Likewise, due to the stoppage of ACDAC pilots in 2017, all flight itineraries managed by the airline were restored only in October 2018.

On March 1, 2019, Avianca launched a subsidiary named [[Avianca Express]], which operated [[ATR-72]]s on short regional flights within Colombia.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

[[File:A320 de Avianca celebrando 100 años con sus colores antiguos.jpg|thumb|Avianca [[Airbus A320-200]], painted in retro livery, celebrating the airline's 100th anniversary]]

===2020 bankruptcy (2020–2021)===
{{See also|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation}}

Avianca had significant financial liabilities in 2019. Because of this, they issued more debt to cover short-term liabilities and concluded a debt exchange on December 31, 2019. In response to the global outbreak of [[COVID-19]], the Colombian government's [[COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia|lockdown]] suspended Avianca's domestic and international operations; most of the company’s 20,000 employees went without pay throughout this period, and the airline operated no scheduled passenger flights between late March and May outside of repatriation missions. As a result of this temporary cessation of business, the company saw 80% of its revenue stop.

[[Avianca Holdings]] and 23 affiliated debtors filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] in the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York]] on May 10, 2020, as a direct result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and subsequent global shutdown, and their financial situation before and during the crisis. The airline holding liquidated its subsidiary [[Avianca Perú]] the same day. The debtors were granted joint administration of the cases under Case No. 20-11133. The airline had accumulated a total debt of USD 7.3 billion at the end of 2019.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-avianca-holding-bankruptcy-idUSKBN22M0N1|title=Latin America's second-biggest airline, Avianca, driven to bankruptcy by coronavirus|date=10 May 2020|access-date=10 May 2020|work=[[Reuters]]|last1=Rochabrun|first1=Marcelo|last2=Kumar|first2=Devika Krishna|last3=Bocanegra|first3=Nelson}}</ref>

Avianca implemented numerous cost-reduction plans during and following their bankruptcy including increasing the passenger capacity and redesigning the cabin of their [[Airbus A320]]s, simplifying their fleet to only the A320 family and [[Boeing 787]], the latter of which will also feature an economy class cabin redesign, and introducing new, cheaper, and more competitive fares with increased options for flexibility including checked and carry-on bags, seat selection, and priority boarding.<ref>{{cite web|last= |first=|title=Avianca anuncia que saldrá del Capítulo 11 y superará la crisis financiera en los próximos meses|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/colombia/2021/06/02/avianca-anuncia-que-saldra-del-capitulo-11-y-superara-la-crisis-financiera-en-los-proximos-meses/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=infobae|date=2 June 2021 |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Avianca signs agreement with Easyfly and farewells its ATR fleet|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/11/avianca-signs-agreement-with-easyfly-and-farewells-its-atr-fleet/|website=Aviaciononline|date=4 November 2021|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>

In November 2021, Avianca Holdings announced they would move their legal address from [[Panama]] to the [[United Kingdom]], and that they would change their name to [[Avianca Group]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/colombias-avianca-move-domicile-united-kingdom-2021-11-03/|title=Colombia's Avianca to move domicile to the United Kingdom|website=Reuters.com|date=3 November 2021|access-date=November 3, 2021}}</ref> Their global [[headquarters]] remains in [[Bogotá]]. On November 2, 2021, Avianca's reorganization plan was approved by the court,<ref>{{cite news|title=Avianca says U.S. court approves bankruptcy reorganization plan|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/avianca-says-us-court-approves-bankruptcy-reorganization-plan-2021-11-02/|website=Reuters|date=2 November 2021|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref> and on December 1, 2021, more than a year and a half after filing, Avianca emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in its history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Colombian airline Avianca says has completed bankruptcy process|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/colombian-airliner-avianca-says-has-completed-bankruptcy-process-2021-12-01/|website=Reuters|date=December 2021|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>

===Abra Group and Viva Air merger (2022–present)===
On April 29, 2022, Avianca announced plans to acquire low-cost competitor [[Viva Air Colombia]] and its subsidiary [[Viva Air Perú]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avianca.com/us/en/about-us/news-center/avianca-news/avianca-and-viva-shareholders-join-economic-ownership-in-a-new-holding-company/|title=Avianca and Viva shareholders join economic ownership in a new holding company|website=Avianca.com|date=April 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/04/avianca-confirma-acuerdo-con-viva-por-sus-filiales-de-colombia-y-peru/|title=Avianca confirma acuerdo con Viva por sus filiales de Colombia y Perú|website=Aviacionline.com|date=29 April 2022|language=es|access-date=April 29, 2022}}</ref> On May 11, 2022, it was announced that Avianca planned to merge with Viva Air, and [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes]] to form the [[Abra Group]], and that Avianca would be the acquiring company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/05/breaking-avianca-and-gol-set-to-merge-under-same-holding/|title=Breaking: Avianca and GOL set to become part of the same holding|website=Aviacionline.com|date=11 May 2022|access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/abra-group-limited-the-new-holding-of-avianca-gol-and-viva/|title=Abra Group Limited: the new holding of Avianca, GOL, and Viva|website=Airinsight.com|author=Daniel Martínez Garbuno|date=11 May 2022|access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref> The merger was rejected by the [[Colombian Civil Aviation Authority]] in November 2022.{{cn|date=June 2024}} Avianca stated that the rejection of the merger would not affect the plans for the [[Abra Group]].{{cn|date=June 2024}}

In September 2022, [[Ecuador]]'s Superintendency for the Control of Market Power became the first government body to approve the merger.{{cn|date=June 2024}} In December 2022, Avianca stated that they had reached all necessary agreements for the group bar "certain financing", and that they had obtained approval from regulatory bodies in [[Brazil]] and the [[United States]]. Avianca also stated that they do not need regulatory approval in Colombia because GOL has no presence in the country, and hence there would be no overlap in Colombia.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

On January 19, 2023, the [[Ministry of Transport (Colombia)|Ministry of Transport]] and [[Colombian Civil Aviation Authority|Aerocivil]] formally annulled the November 2022 decision to reject the Avianca–Viva Air merger, citing "procedural irregularities" found within the first review process. A second review is due to take place in "an urgent manner", because the merger proposal was filed under "exception for a company in crisis", referencing Viva Air's financial situation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galeano Balaguera|first=Paula|date=January 18, 2023|title=Proceso de Avianca y Viva será anulado: ¿cuáles son las razones?|url=https://www.portafolio.co/negocios/empresas/avianca-y-viva-proceso-de-integracion-de-las-aerolineas-sera-anulado-577090|access-date=January 19, 2023|website=Portafolio.co}}</ref>

On March 21, 2023, Aerocivil announced that it would approve the Avianca–Viva merger conditionally if the new entity complied with the following: to either refund or honor passengers' cancelled bookings made before Viva Air suspended operations; to return some in-demand slots at [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá's El Dorado Airport]] previously held by Viva Air; to maintain Viva Air's low-cost model for consumers within Colombia; to reinstate flights between [[Bogotá]] and [[Buenos Aires]]; to maintain a fare cap on routes where the entity is the only operator; and, as the new entity would hold a majority of the market share in Colombia, to ensure that the market remains dynamic.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beresnevicius|first=Rytis|date=March 22, 2023|title=Colombia approves Avianca-Viva Air merger following Viva's suspension of flights|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/colombia-approves-avianca-viva-air-merger-following-vivas-suspension-of-flights|access-date=March 24, 2023|website=Aerotime.aero}}</ref>

On May 13, 2023, after analyzing the "financial and technical implications" of the merger under these conditions, Avianca withdrew its plans to acquire Viva Air, given the strict requirements of Aerocivil and the damage that these would have on the airline's economy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Griffin|first=Oliver|date=March 22, 2023|title=Colombia's aviation regulator conditionally approves Avianca, Viva Air merger|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombias-aviation-regulator-conditionally-approves-avianca-viva-air-merger-2023-03-22/|access-date=March 24, 2023|website=Reuters.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/colombias-avianca-backs-down-viva-air-merger-2023-05-13/|title=Colombia's Avianca backs down from Viva Air merger|website=Reuters.com|date=13 May 2023 |access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref>

In October 2023, the company announced a rebrand and changes to its business model. Avianca changed its name from Avianca to ''avianca'', adjusting its operating model to a more low-cost-friendly one.

==Corporate affairs==
[[File:Torre Avianca.JPG|thumb|Avianca's headquarters, designed by [[Esguerra Saenz Urdaneta Samper]]]]
{{See also|Avianca Group#Corporate affairs}}
Avianca's headquarters are on [[Avenida El Dorado (TransMilenio)|Avenida El Dorado]] and between Carrera 60 and Gobernación de Cundinamarca, located in the [[Ciudad Salitre]] area of Bogotá. The building is located next to the [[Gran Estación]].<ref>Buitrago, Alejandra. "[http://www.portafolio.co/detalle_archivo/CMS-4629844 Avianca tendrá nueva sede administrativa a comienzos del 2009 en Eje Empresarial del Salitre] m, portafolio.co, retrieved on 6 December 2015. "Será un edificio con 13.800 metros cuadrados de vidrio en sus fachadas, con un coeficiente de sombra de solo el 0,71% en diseño bioclimático que permitirá luz y aire naturales incluso en los sótanos." and "Su altura será de 46 metros y tres sótanos, para un área construida de 34.536 metros cuadrados. El primer piso tendrá locales comerciales y una amplia zona de parqueaderos."</ref> Its previous head office was at Avenida El Dorado No. 93-30.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180528125858/http://www.avianca.fr.co/htm/obogot.htm Oficinas Colombia]." Avianca. 9 March 2000. Retrieved on 30 January 2011.</ref>

==Destinations==
Avianca's main hub is located in [[Bogotá]], at [[El Dorado International Airport]] with its focus cities in [[Medellín]], [[Cali]], [[Barranquilla]], [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]], and [[Miami]], in the latter of which Avianca is the largest foreign carrier by number of passengers.
<!-- There is consensus against having lists of airline destinations. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Aviation/Style_guide/Layout_(Airlines)#Destinations -->

===Codeshare agreements===
Avianca has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avianca.com/eu/en/search-and-book/alliances-benefits/codeshare/|title=Codeshare|website=Avianca|access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=17em}}
* [[Aeroméxico]]
* [[Air Canada]]
* [[Air China]]
* [[Air India]]
* [[All Nippon Airways]]
* [[Austrian Airlines]]
* [[Avianca El Salvador]]
* [[Azul Brazilian Airlines]]
* [[Boliviana de Aviación]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airinsight.com/avianca-and-boliviana-de-aviacion-announce-interline-agreement/|title=Avianca And Boliviana de Aviación Announce Interline Agreement|website=Airinsight.com|author=Daniel Martínez Garbuno|date=12 September 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Brussels Airlines]]
* [[Clic Air]]
* [[Copa Airlines]]
* [[Cubana de Aviación]]
* [[Etihad Airways]]
* [[EVA Air]]
* [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes]]
* [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]]
* [[ITA Airways]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/10/avianca-and-ita-airways-sign-codeshare-agreement/|title=Avianca and ITA Airways sign codeshare agreement|date=20 October 2022}}</ref>
* [[Lufthansa]]
* [[Scandinavian Airlines]]
* [[Singapore Airlines]]
* [[Star Perú]]
* [[Swiss International Air Lines]]
* [[TAP Air Portugal]]
* [[Thai Airways International]]
* [[Turkish Airlines]]
* [[United Airlines]]
{{Div col end}}

===Interline agreements===
Avianca has interline agreements with the following airlines:
* [[APG Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.apgiet.com/all-partner-airlines.html | title=All Partner Airlines }}</ref>
* [[French Bee]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://frenchbee.dohop.com/|title=Frenchbee Connect|work=Dohop|access-date=16 July 2024}}</ref>
* [[Norse Atlantic Airways]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://connections.flynorse.com/|title=Find and book connecting flights with partner airlines|website=Norse Atlantic Airways|access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>
* [[Viva (airline)|Viva]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/viva-aerobus-avianca-offer-interline-ticketing/ | title=Got 1 min? Viva Aerobus and Avianca add new connections between Colombia and Mexico | date=6 May 2024 }}</ref>

==LifeMiles==
The [[frequent-flyer program]] of Avianca and its subsidiaries is '''LifeMiles'''. This program is designed to reward customer loyalty in the airline, travel, and retail sectors. LifeMiles members can earn miles every time they fly with Avianca, [[Star Alliance]] member airlines, as well as [[GOL Airlines]], [[Aeromexico]] and [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]].

The program was launched in 2011 with the merger of Avianca and TACA, replacing its former ''AviancaPlus'' program. LifeMiles has been awarded 14 [[Freddie Awards]] for its outstanding performance and promotions in the Americas during the last 9 years.

LifeMiles has four elite tiers:
*Red Plus (Star Alliance Silver)
*Silver (Star Alliance Silver)
*Gold (Star Alliance Gold)
*Diamond (Star Alliance Gold)

==Fleet==
===Current fleet===
{{See also|Avianca Group#Fleet}}
[[File:N694AV (14403931359).jpg|thumb|Avianca [[Airbus A319-100]] at [[Miami International Airport]] in 2014]]
[[File:Avianca Airbus A320-214 (N446AV) at Miami International Airport (24424335366).jpg|thumb|Avianca [[Airbus A320-200]] at [[Miami International Airport]] in 2016]]
[[File:N784AV Avianca Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departing to Bogota (BIG) @ Madrid - Barajas (MAD) - 22.08.2015 (22598489772).jpg|thumb|Avianca [[Boeing 787-8]] taxiing at [[Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport]] in 2015]]

{{As of|2025|3}}, Avianca operates the following aircraft:

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Avianca fleet
|-
!rowspan="2"|Aircraft
!rowspan="2"|In Service
!rowspan="2"|Orders
!colspan="5"|Passengers
!rowspan="2"|Notes
|-
!<abbr title=Business>C</abbr>
!<abbr title=Premium>W</abbr>
!<abbr title=Plus>Y+</abbr>
!<abbr title=Economy>Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
|[[Airbus A319-100]]
|7
|&mdash;
|&ndash;
|12
|48
|84
|144
|To be retired; originally scheduled by the end of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sena|first=Gastón|date=2023-09-24|title=Avianca to Retire its A319 Fleet in 2024; One Operator Left in South America|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/09/avianca-to-retire-its-a319-fleet-in-2024-one-operator-left-in-south-america/|access-date=2023-11-12|website=Aviacionline.com|language=es}}</ref>{{needs update|date=February 2025}}
|-
|[[Airbus A320-200]]
|67
|&mdash;
|&ndash;
|12
|60
|108
|180
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Airbus A320neo]]
|31
|rowspan="2"|102<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Avianca commits to order for 88+50 A320neo Family jets |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/113376-avianca-commits-to-order-for-8850-a320neo-family-jets |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=ch-aviation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/10/16/abra-group-orders-50-more-a320-aircraft/|title=Abra Group Orders 50 More A320 Aircraft|website=Airlinegeeks.com|author=Zach Vasile|date=October 16, 2025}}</ref> <!-- Originally ordered 88 aircraft, added 50 more -->
|rowspan="2"|&ndash;
|12
|60
|108
|180
|Some orders to be split with its subsidiaries.
|-
|5
|&ndash;
|&ndash;
|188
|188
|Former [[Viva Air Colombia]] aircraft.<ref name="VIVA" /> Currently being reconfigured.
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Boeing 787-8]]
|13
|rowspan="2"|&mdash;
|20
|rowspan="2"|&ndash;
|36
|235
|rowspan="2"|291
|
|-
|3
|32
|&ndash;
|259
|Former [[Norwegian Long Haul]] aircraft.<ref name="NLH"/>
|-
!Total
!126
!102
!colspan=6|
|}

===Fleet development===
In March 2007 the airline ordered 10 [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|787s]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Boeing, Avianca Airlines Announce Order for 10 787 Dreamliners |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-03-28-Boeing-Avianca-Airlines-Announce-Order-for-10-787-Dreamliners|access-date=2023-11-12|website=MediaRoom}}</ref> The first delivery of that aircraft type was on December 17, 2014, and its first service was on January 16, 2015, between Bogotá and New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2014-12-18-Boeing-Avianca-Celebrate-Delivery-of-Airlines-First-787-Dreamliner|title=Boeing|access-date=24 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Avianca Celebrates Arrival of the Dreamliner|journal=Airliner World|date=March 2015|page=14}}</ref>

In 2015, Avianca signed an order for 100 A320neo family aircraft. At the beginning of March 2019, the airline had 20 A319neos, 92 A320neos, and 15 A321neos on order. In March 2019, the delivery of 17 Airbus A320neo family aircraft was cancelled, and deliveries of another 35 jets were rescheduled to 2026 to 2028, instead of 2020 to 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeo |first=Ghim-Lay |date=2019-03-15 |title=Avianca cancels 17 A320neo family aircraft, defers 35 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/avianca-cancels-17-a320neo-family-aircraft-defers-35/131880.article |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2022, the airline confirmed an order for 88 new A320neo with deliveries between 2025 and 2031.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Avianca confirms order for 88 new A320neo aircraft from AIRBUS |url=https://www.avianca.com/en/about-us/av-news/2022/avianca-confirms-order-for-88-new-a320neo-aircraft-from-airbus/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=Avianca}}</ref>

In June 2023, it was reported that Avianca leased eight A320neos that belonged to the bankrupt airline Viva Air for delivery in 2023.<ref name="VIVA">{{Cite web |last=Sena |first=Gastón |date=2023-06-27 |title=Avianca Gets All A320neos That Belonged to Failed VIVA |url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/06/avianca-gets-all-a320neos-that-belonged-to-failed-viva/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Aviacionline.com |language=es}}</ref>

In September 2023, the airline disclosed plans to lease 14 Airbus A320neo planes and two A320ceo planes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-07 |title=Colombia airline Avianca to invest $473 million to grow fleet by 16 planes |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/colombia-airline-avianca-invest-473-mln-grow-fleet-by-16-planes-2023-09-07/ |access-date=2023-11-12}}</ref>

In February 2024, Avianca received one of the 3 Boeing 787-8s from Norwegian Air Shuttle. The airline said it wants to deviate from wet leases such as the one from Wamos Air and its A330; in addition, it wants to do it only with 787-8s owned by the company itself.<ref name="NLH">{{Cite web |title=Avianca Takes Delivery of the First of Three Former Norwegian Boeing 787s |language=en |work=Aviacionline |date=5 February 2024 |url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2024/02/avianca-takes-delivery-of-the-first-of-three-former-norwegian-boeing-787s/}}</ref>

===Former fleet===
Since its founding, Avianca has operated a wide variety of aircraft:<ref name="Avianca cumple 90 años">{{cite news|title=Avianca cumple 90 años|date=12 March 2009|publisher=Avianca|url=http://www.avianca.fr/NR/rdonlyres/7002E3BB-E719-4750-8A6B-D4E5FFBC3E63/13542/No504AV90a%C3%B1os041209.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025123318/http://www.avianca.fr/NR/rdonlyres/7002E3BB-E719-4750-8A6B-D4E5FFBC3E63/13542/No504AV90a%C3%B1os041209.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2021|access-date=12 March 2009|language=es}}</ref><ref name="Avianca">{{cite web|url=http://www.avianca.fr/Inicio/Navegacion/AcercaAvianca/Nuestra+historia/es/Naceunahistoriaconalas.htm|title=Nace una historia con alas|author=Avianca|date=4 April 2010|publisher=Avianca|location=Bogotá, D.C. (Colombia)|language=es|format=.htm}}{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net/SCADTA.html|title=Avianca fleet|website=aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Avianca former fleet
|-
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A318-100]]
|10
|2011
|2019
|Purchased from [[Mexicana de Aviación (1921–2010)|Mexicana]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/84496-colombias-avianca-airlines-retires-last-a318|title=Colombia's Avianca Airlines retires last A318|website=CH-AVIATION|access-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[Airbus A321-200]]
|9
|2014
|2021
|
|-
|[[Airbus A321neo]]
|2
|2017
|2020
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/107056-colombias-avianca-airlines-returns-last-a321neo|title=Colombia's Avianca Airlines returns last A321neo|website=Ch-aviation.com|access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Airbus A330-200]]
|12
|2008
|2023
|
|-
|[[Airbus A330-300]]
|2
|2018
|2020
|Purchased from [[TransAsia Airways]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2018/01/19/avianca-first-a330-300-operator-in-latin-america/|title=Avianca to Become First Airbus A330-300 Operator in Latin America|website=Airlinegeeks.com|date=January 19, 2018|author=Pablo Diaz}}</ref>
|-
|[[ATR 72-600]]
|9
|2013
|2019
|Transferred to [[Avianca Express]]
|-
|[[Beechcraft 17]]
|2
|1941
|1943
|
|-
|[[Boeing 247D]]
|18
|1936
|1948
|
|-
|[[Boeing 707-120]]
|1
|1960
|1961
|Leased from [[Pan Am]]
|-
|[[Boeing 707-320C]]
|8
|1968
|1994
|One written off as [[Avianca Flight 052|Flight 052]]
|-
|[[Boeing 720B]]
|7
|1961
|1984
| 
|-
|[[Boeing 727-100]]
|33
|1966
|1992
| 
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200]]
|18
|1978
|1999
| 
|-
|[[Boeing 737-100]]
|2
|1968
|1971
|First 737 operator in Latin America
|-
|[[Boeing 747-100]]
|3
|1976
|1996
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-100SF]]
|2
|1981
|1988
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-200M]]
|2
|1979
|1995
|One written off as [[Avianca Flight 011|Flight 011]]
|-
|[[Boeing 757-200]]
|21
|1992
|2010
|
|-
|[[Boeing 767-200ER]]
|5
|1990
|2011
|
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Boeing 767-300ER]]
|5
|1994
|2011
|
|-
|1
|2014
|2015
|Leased from [[Omni Air International]]
|-
|[[Boeing 787-9]]
|1
|2019
|2023
|Delivered but never entered service<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/25740-neglected-after-first-flight-story-of-avianca-boeing-787-9|title=Neglected after first flight: story of Avianca Boeing 787-9|website=Aerotime.aero|author=Gabriele Petrauskaite|date=October 22, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Consolidated PBY Catalina]]
|4
|1946
|1956
|
|-
|[[Curtiss T-32 Condor II]]
|2
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]
|5
|1949
|1955
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.60 Moth]]
|7
|1929
|1939
|
|-
|[[Dornier Do J Wal]]
|3
|1925
|1932
|
|-
|[[Dornier Merkur]]
|2
|1927
|1932
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]
|52
|1939
|1974
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
|26
|1946
|1975
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-2]]
|2
|1944
|1947
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-3]]
|4
|1939
|1973
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-4]]
|2
|1953
|1974
|
|-
|[[Fokker 50]]
|10
|1993
|2014
|One involved in a [[Avianca Flight 9463|1999 hijacking]]
|-
|[[Fokker 100]]
|15
|2006
|2011
|Operated by [[SAM Colombia|SAM]] until 2010
|-
|[[Fokker Universal]]
|2
|1929
|1934
|
|-
|[[Ford Trimotor|Ford 5-AT-DS Trimotor]]
|19
|1929
|1946
|
|-
|[[General Aviation GA-43]]
|1
|1934
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]]
|2
|1968
|1978
|
|-
|[[IAI 1124 Westwind]]
|1
|1978
|1995
|Operated by [[Helicol]]
|-
|[[Junkers F 13]]
|31
|1920
|1940
|
|-
|[[Junkers W 33]]
|1
|1929
|1932
|
|-
|[[Junkers W 34]]
|13
|1928
|1947
|
|-
|[[Lockheed L-749A Constellation]]
|6
|1951
|1967
|
|-
|[[Lockheed L-1049E Super Constellation]]
|4
|1954
|1969
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|McDonnell Douglas MD-11ER]]
|1
|1998
|1999
|Leased from [[World Airways]]
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-83]]
|18
|1992
|2011
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-38]]
|7
|1929
|1940
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-41]]
|1
|1930
|1936
|
|-
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
The airline suffered a few incidents during the 1980s and early 1990s. The deadliest of those incidents was [[Avianca Flight 011]], which crashed in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Avianca Flight 011: When Spain witnessed one of its most devastating accidents |url=https://www.news9live.com/knowledge/avianca-flight-011-when-spain-witnessed-one-of-its-most-devastating-accidents-2760450 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=News9live |language=en-US}}</ref>

*On January 22, 1947, a [[Douglas C-53]]B (registered C-108), crashed in the Magdalena River valley, killing all 17 people on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=C-108|id=19470122-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>
*On February 15, 1947, a [[Douglas DC-4]] (registered C-114), crashed into El Tablazo Hill in the Bogotá savannah. All 53 occupants died. The accident was caused by human error, as the pilots were American nationals and had little knowledge of Colombian geography.<ref>[https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/337039 Accident description for C-114] at the [[Aviation Safety Network]]. Retrieved on 29 June 2008.</ref>
*On August 9, 1954, a [[Lockheed L-749A]] (registered HK-163), crashed three minutes after takeoff from [[Lajes Field]], [[Azores]], after it flew left into the hills instead of right towards the sea. All 30 on board died.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=HK-163|id=19540809-0|access-date=27 May 2012}}</ref>
*On March 9, 1955, a [[Douglas C-47A]] (registered HK-328), crashed at [[Trujillo, Valle del Cauca|Trujillo, Colombia]], killing all eight on board. The wreckage was found a month later, but some of the gold and cargo were missing.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= HK-328|id= 19550309-0|access-date= 1 July 2013}}</ref>
*On June 23, 1959, a [[Douglas DC-4]] (registered HK-135), operating as Flight 667, struck Cerro Baco mountain while en route to [[Lima]], [[Peru]], killing all 14 aboard.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=HK-135|id=19590623-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>
*On January 21, 1960, [[Avianca Flight 671]], a [[Lockheed L-1049]]E, crashed and burned on landing at [[Sangster International Airport]] in Jamaica, killing 37 aboard.<ref>Jamaica Observer, [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090422T000000-0500_149943_OBS_FROM_AVIANCA_TO_CANJET__MOBAY_AIRPORT_AT_CENTRE_OF_J_CAN_AVIATION_HISTORY.asp "From Avianca to CanJet: MoBay Airport at Centre of J'can Aviation History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422230154/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090422T000000-0500_149943_OBS_FROM_AVIANCA_TO_CANJET__MOBAY_AIRPORT_AT_CENTRE_OF_J_CAN_AVIATION_HISTORY.asp |date=2009-04-22 }}, 22 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.</ref>
*On March 22, 1965, a [[Douglas C-47]]DL, (registered HK-109), operating Flight 676, struck Pan de Azucar at an elevation of {{Convert|7200|ft|m}}, killing all 29 on board. The cause was the decision of the pilot to fly VFR in conditions that required IFR.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=HK-109|id=19650322-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>
*On October 17, 1965, a [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered HK-118), operating Flight 676, coming from the city of Bogotá with 16 people on board collided in the air with a [[Piper PA-18 Super Cub|Piper Super Cub]] (registered HK-922), which had taken off from the old Gómez Niño airport of [[Bucaramanga]].<ref>[https://www.vanguardia.com/area-metropolitana/bucaramanga/2020/07/19/la-historia-olvidada-de-los-pilotos-que-salvaron-un-barrio-de-bucaramanga/ Accident description for HK-118] at https://www.vanguardia.com/. Retrieved on 8 October 2025.</ref>
*On January 15, 1966, [[Avianca Flight 03]] crashed shortly after takeoff from [[Rafael Núñez International Airport]]. The cause was determined to be maintenance problems, possibly compounded by pilot error.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}
*On September 22, 1966, a [[Douglas DC-4]] (registered HK-174), operating Flight 870, crashed while attempting to return to Eldorado Airport due to engine problems, killing both pilots. The cause was traced to a failure in the governor control unit. Improper supervision by the company was a contributing factor, as the pilot was briefed to make a night flight while he was in conversion training for the L-749.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=HK-174|id=19660922-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref> 
*On December 24, 1966, a [[Douglas C-47A]] (registered HK-161), operating Flight 729, struck Cerro Las Animas at an elevation of {{Convert|11600|ft|m}} while approaching [[Pasto, Colombia|Pasto]], killing all 29 on board. A combination of poor [[Crew resource management|CRM]], pilot intoxication, deviation from route, and pilot error was cited as the cause.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=CCCP-M25|id=19661224-2|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>
*On 26 April 1967, a [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47]]DL (registered HK-326) crashed after takeoff from [[Alberto Lleras Camargo Airport]], killing 17 of 18 onboard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/332146|title=Accident Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3) HK-326, Wednesday 26 April 1967|website=Aviation Safety Network}}</ref>
*On May 21, 1970, a [[Douglas DC-3]], (registered HK-121), was [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacked]] to [[Yariguíes Airport]], [[Barrancabermeja]] whilst on a flight from [[El Alcaraván Airport]], [[Yopal]] to [[Alberto Lleras Camargo Airport]], [[Sogamoso]]. The hijackers had demanded to be taken to [[Cuba]].<ref name=ASN210570b>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19700521-1|title=Hijacking description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref>
*On July 29, 1972, two [[Douglas DC-3|Douglas DC-3A]], registered HK-107 and HK-1341, were involved in a [[1972 Las Palomas mid-air collision|mid-air collision]] over the Las Palomas Mountains. Both aircraft crashed, killing 21 people on HK-107 and 17 people on HK-1341. Both aircraft were operating domestic scheduled passenger flights from [[La Vanguardia Airport]], [[Villavicencio]] to [[El Alcaraván Airport]], [[Yopal]].<ref name=ASN290772a>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720729-2|title=HK-107 Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=5 September 2010}}</ref><ref name=ASN290772b>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720729-1|title=HK-1341 Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=5 September 2010}}</ref>
*On July 5, 1973, a [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748|Hawker Siddeley HS-748]] (registered HK-1408) skidded off the runway at the former Bucaramanga Gómez Niño Airport. After landing, the plane crashed into a house located at 63rd Street and 15B Avenue, coming very close to the Las Cocheras Canal chasm. Two people died.<ref>[https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/330150 Accident description for HK-1408] at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 8 October 2025.</ref>
*On August 22, 1973, a [[Douglas DC-3A]] (registered HK-111), crashed into a hill near the [[Casanare Department]], killing 16 of the 17 people on board. The aircraft was operating a domestic scheduled passenger flight from [[La Vanguardia Airport]], [[Villavicencio]] to [[El Alcaraván Airport]], [[Yopal]].<ref name=ASN220873>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19730822-0|title=HK-111 Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=26 August 2010}}</ref>
*On August 12, 1974, a [[Douglas C-47]] (registered HK-508) flew into Trujillo Mountain, killing all 27 people on board. The aircraft was on a domestic scheduled passenger flight from [[El Dorado International Airport|El Dorado Airport]], Bogotá to [[La Florida Airport (Colombia)|La Florida Airport]], [[Tumaco]].<ref name=ASN120874>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19740812-0 |title=HK-508 Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=24 August 2010}}</ref>
*On November 27, 1983, [[Avianca Flight 011]](1983), a [[Boeing 747-200M]] (registered HK-2910X) crashed into a mountain just short of landing at [[Madrid Barajas Airport]] in [[Madrid]], killing 181 of the 192 people aboard. The cause was determined to be [[pilot error]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Avianca jet crashes in near Madrid airport - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/27/Avianca-jet-crashes-in-near-Madrid-airport/3229438757200/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Boeing 747-283M HK-2910X, Sunday 27 November 1983 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/327520 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref>
*On March 17, 1988, [[Avianca Flight 410]], a [[Boeing 727-100]] (registered HK-1716) crashed into low mountains near [[Cúcuta]] - [[Norte de Santander Department]] after take-off, killing all 143 on board. It was determined that pilot error was also the cause of this crash, in a situation similar to Flight 011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Día |first=Redacción-Aviación al |date=2021-03-17 |title=33 years since one of Colombia's worst air tragedies. |url=https://aviacionaldia.com/en/2021/03/33-years-since-one-of-colombias-worst-air-tragedies.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Aviación al Día |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Boeing 727-21 HK-1716, Thursday 17 March 1988 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/326572 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref>
*On November 27, 1989, a bomb destroyed [[Avianca Flight 203]]. All 107 passengers and crew and 3 people on the ground were killed. The bombing had been ordered by [[Pablo Escobar]] to kill presidential candidate [[César Gaviria Trujillo]]. In the aftermath, it was discovered that Gaviria had not boarded the aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=L |date=2019-11-27 |title=30 Years Ago — Remembering Avianca Flight 203 (November 27 1989) [2019] |url=https://inteltoday.org/2019/11/27/on-this-day-remembering-avianca-flight-203-november-27-1989-2019/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Intel Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Freixes |first=Josep |date=November 28, 2024 |title=Colombia Remembers Pablo Escobar’s Avianca Plane Attack, 35 Years On |url=https://colombiaone.com/2024/11/28/colombia-pablo-escobar-plane/ |access-date=June 5, 2025 |website=Columbia One}}</ref>
*On January 25, 1990, [[Avianca Flight 052]], a [[Boeing 707-320C]] (registered HK-2016) en route from Bogotá to [[New York City]] via [[Medellín]] crashed in [[Cove Neck, New York]], after running out of fuel while in a [[holding (aviation)|holding pattern]] for at New York's [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]], killing 73 of the 158 people aboard.
*On April 26, 1990, [[19th of April Movement]] presidential candidate [[Carlos Pizarro]] was gunned down during a domestic Avianca flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+co0011)|title=Colombia|publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov|access-date=18 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2138929.stm|title=Americas &#124; Massive security at Colombia's airports|work=BBC News|date=19 July 2002|access-date=18 December 2010}}</ref><!--BBC's story flaws, any suggestions? Use it or remove it?-->
*On August 16, 1997, Avianca Flight 087, a [[Boeing 767-200ER]] en route from Bogotá to [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport|Buenos Aires Ezeiza]], was diverted to [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Córdoba]] due to bad weather. However, upon approaching Córdoba, it was diverted again, and instructions from the tower directed the plane toward the mountains of the [[Sierras de Córdoba|Córdoba mountain range]]. It also nearly collided with a [[Mexicana de Aviación (1921–2010)|Mexicana de Aviación]] plane. The 767 was low on fuel at the time and ended up making an emergency landing in [[Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport|La Rioja]], thanks to instructions from an [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]] pilot.<ref>[https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/mam-633933 Avianca Flight 087 incident description] at https://www.eltiempo.com/. Retrieved on 8 October 2025.</ref>
*On April 12, 1999, [[Avianca Flight 9463]], a [[Fokker 50]] (registered PH-MXT), from Bogotá to [[Bucaramanga]] was hijacked by six [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|ELN]] members, who forced the plane to make an emergency landing on a clandestine runway in the [[Bolívar Department]]. One passenger died during captivity, the rest were eventually liberated a year after the hijacking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia.noticiasabc.com/2009/04/12/recordando-los-10-anos-del-secuestro-del-fokker-de-avianca-2/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105004954/http://www.colombia.noticiasabc.com/2009/04/12/recordando-los-10-anos-del-secuestro-del-fokker-de-avianca-2/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 January 2013|title=Recordando los 10 años del secuestro del Fokker de Avianca|publisher=Noticias ABC colombia|access-date=19 November 2012 }}</ref>

==Awards and recognitions==
In its recent history, the company has won different awards:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avianca.com/us/en/about-us/who-we-are/our-awards/|title=Know our Awards and recognitions|website=Avianca.com|access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref>

*2010: E-Commerce Company of the Year – ''eCommerce Awards Colombia''.
*2012: Best Company in Customer Service Labor and Management – ''Ibero-American Social Media Awards''.
*2013: Best Company in Customer Service Labor and Management – ''Ibero-American Social Media Awards''.
*2013: South American Airlines with Best Onboard Service – ''[[Skytrax]] World Airline Awards''.
*2014: Best E-commerce Initiative in Colombia – ''Colombia Online Awards''.
*2015: Best Airline in South America – ''World Travel Awards''.
*2016: Best Airline in South America and Latin America – ''Business Traveler North America Magazine''.
*2017: Best Airline in South America – ''Business Traveler Awards''.
*2017: Best Airline in South America and Best Regional Airline in South America – ''[[Skytrax]] World Airline Awards''.
*2017: Best Mobile Initiative for eCommerce – ''eCommerce Awards''.
*2017: Second-best airline in the world – ''Consumers and Users Organization''.
*2018: Best Airline in South America – ''[[Skytrax]] World Airline Awards''.
*2018: Best Regional Airline in South America – ''Airline Passenger Experience APEX''.

==See also==
*[[List of airlines of Colombia]]
*{{look from}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Avianca}}
* {{Official website|www.avianca.com/es/}} {{in lang|es}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130603133322/http://www.exploretaca.com/eng/article.html?pagesrc=archives&id=1985 September 2012 Issue of Explore Taca]
{{Portal bar|Colombia|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Avianca}}
{{Star Alliance}}
{{Airlines of Colombia}}
{{IATA members|latinam}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Avianca| ]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in Colombia]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1919]]
[[Category:Former seaplane operators]]
[[Category:Airlines of Colombia]]
[[Category:Colombian brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Bogotá]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Colombia Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020]]
[[Category:Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Colombia]]
[[Category:Star Alliance]]