View source for Avianca El Salvador

{{Short description|Flag carrier of El Salvador}}
{{redirect-distinguish|TACA Airlines|Cabo Verde Airlines}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{use American English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Avianca El Salvador
| logo = Logo Avianca (Colombia) 2023.svg
| logo_size = 150
| image = File:Avianca Airbus A320neo N905AV departing Boston June 2025 2.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Avianca El Salvador [[Airbus A320neo]] in 2025
| IATA = AV
| ICAO = TAI
| callsign = TACA
| founded = {{start date and age|1931}} (as ''TACA'')
| commenced = 
| ceased = 
| aoc = COA-002-TA
| hubs = [[El Salvador International Airport|San Salvador]]
| secondary_hubs = 
| focus_cities = [[Juan Santamaría International Airport|San José (CR)]]
| frequent_flyer = LifeMiles
| alliance = [[Star Alliance]] (affiliate)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aviationdaily&id=news/avd/2011/10/28/05.xml&headline=Lufthansa%20Wants%20Quick%20LATAM%20Alliance%20Decision |title= Lufthansa Wants Quick LATAM Alliance Decision &#124; AVIATION WEEK|website=www.aviationweek.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117074430/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aviationdaily&id=news%2Favd%2F2011%2F10%2F28%2F05.xml&headline=Lufthansa%20Wants%20Quick%20LATAM%20Alliance%20Decision |archive-date=17 January 2012}}</ref>
| subsidiaries = 
| fleet_size = 20
| destinations = 26
| parent = [[Avianca Group]]<ref name="CfA">{{cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airlines/avianca-el-salvador-ta|title=Avianca El Salvador|language=en|access-date=17 January 2024|work=Centre for Aviation}}</ref>
| traded_as = 
| ISIN = 
| headquarters = [[Antiguo Cuscatlán]], El Salvador
| key_people = {{plainlist|
* Frederico Pedreira ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of Avianca Group) 
* David Alemán ([[Director (business)|Director]])
}}
| founder = [[Lowell Yerex]]
| revenue = 
| net_income = 
| profit = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| num_employees = 2,000 (2022)<ref name="LPG">{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/tendencias/Recuerdan-la-aerolinea-TACA-Avianca-pinta-uno-de-sus-aviones-A320-con-la-imagen-retro-de-TACA-20221102-0018.html|title=Avianca Pinta Uno de Sus Aviones A320 con la Imagen de la Desaparecida Aerolínea TACA|trans-title=Avianca Paints One of Its A320 Aircraft with the Image of the Disappeared TACA Airline|language=es|date=2 November 2022|access-date=17 January 2024|work=[[La Prensa Gráfica]]|first1=Luis|last1=Lozano}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|www.avianca.com}}
}}

'''Transportes Aéreos del Continente Americano, S.A.''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Air Transport of the American Continent"),<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Claudia|editor1-last=Schatan|editor2-first=Eugenio|editor2-last=Rivera Urrutia|title=Competition Policies in Emerging Economies: Lessons and Challenges from Central America and Mexico|language=en|date=11 July 2008|access-date=17 January 2024|publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media]]|doi=10.1007/978-0-387-78433-5|isbn=9780387784335|oclc=272298841|location=[[Ottawa]], Canada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nqzYEAAAQBAJ|pages=41–42}}</ref> known and formerly branded as '''TACA International Airlines''',<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Liisa L.|editor1-last=North|editor2-first=Timothy D.|editor2-last=Clark|title=Dominant Elites in Latin America: From Neo-Liberalism to the 'Pink Tide'|language=en|date=18 August 2017|access-date=17 January 2024|publisher=[[Springer Publishing]]|isbn=9783319532554|oclc=1001792913|lccn=2017936486|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-53255-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WNsxDwAAQBAJ|page=173 }}</ref> and operating as '''Avianca El Salvador''', is an airline owned by Kingsland Holdings and based in [[San Salvador]], [[El Salvador]]. It is one of the seven national branded airlines in the [[Avianca Group]] of Latin American airlines, and it serves as the [[flag carrier]] of El Salvador.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025|reason=While it was said to be a flag carrier as TACA according to some sources, I haven't been able to find any reliable sources saying it is the flag carrier of the country}}

Founded in 1931, the airline owned and operated five other airlines in [[Central America]]. Its name was originally an acronym meaning '''Central American Air Transport''' ({{lang|es|Transportes Aéreos Centroamericanos}}) but was later changed to Air Transport of the American Continent ({{lang|es|Transportes Aéreos del Continente Americano}}) to reflect its expansion to North, Central, and South America.

On 7 October 2009, the airline announced that it would merge with the Colombian airline [[Avianca]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/10/07/333194/avianca-confirms-strategic-merger-with-taca.html|title=Avianca confirms 'strategic merger' with TACA - 10/7/2009|publisher=Flight Global|date=2009-10-07|access-date=2015-02-24}}</ref> however, it maintained the TACA name until the merger was officially completed on 21 May 2013. TACA is the second-oldest continuously operating airline brand in Central America and the Caribbean, after [[Cubana de Aviación]].{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

==History==
=== Inauguration (1931–1980) ===

[[File:Logo of TACA Airlines (1936–1948).jpg|thumb|right|225px|alt=A logo reading "Central American Air Transports" in Spanish with a red and blue bird in the center|TACA's logo from 1936 to 1948<ref>{{cite web|url=https://logos-world.net/taca-logo/|title=TACA Logo|language=es|date=6 November 2023|access-date=17 January 2024|work=Logos World}}</ref>]]
[[File:TACA DC4.jpg|thumb|right|225px|alt=A TACA International Airlines Douglas DC-4 on the ground with people exiting from the rear-left door|A TACA [[Douglas DC-4]] in Tegucigalpa]]

TACA International Airlines, then named Central American Air Transports,<ref name="LPG2">{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/economia/El-inicio-de-un-nuevo-capitulo-para-TACA-20130528-0053.html|title=El Inicio de un Nuevo Capítulo para TACA|trans-title=The Beginning of a New Chapter for TACA|language=es|date=28 May 2013|access-date=17 January 2024|work=[[La Prensa Gráfica]]}}</ref> was founded in 1931 in Honduras by New Zealander [[Royal Flying Corps]] veteran [[Lowell Yerex]].<ref>{{cite book|first1=Ben|last1=Skipper|title=100 Years of Civil Aviation: A History from the 1919 Paris Convention to Retiring the Jumbo Jet|language=en|date=2023|access-date=17 January 2024|publisher=Air World|isbn=9781399066006|oclc=1399376699|page=77|location=United Kingdom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nqzYEAAAQBAJ}}</ref> Initially, the airline only transported cargo, but beginning in 1940 the airline began passenger services.<ref name="LPG2" /> TACA began operations with a single-engine Stinson plane. Since its beginnings, routes covered all the national territory and its aircraft sported the XH Mexican registration (which was changed later by HR). Yerex planned to establish one airline in each Latin-American country, such as [[Aerovias Brasil]] in Brazil and other TACAs in Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Avianca El Salvador |url=https://profilbaru.com/article/Avianca_El_Salvador |website=profilebaru.com |last1=Com |first1=Profilbaru }}</ref> Of all the TACA franchise airlines created, only TACA International of [[El Salvador]] survived.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rico |first=Rico |date=28 May 2013 |title=Adios TACA! |url=https://qcostarica.com/adios-taca/ |website=Q Costa Rica}}</ref>

In 1945, Yerex left the company and TACA moved its headquarters to the Republic of El Salvador where it was modernized and expanded. The company then established investment groups in other Latin American countries to be sold to domestic airlines, which in the case of TACA Honduras was sold to [[SAHSA]]. Later, TACA was organized as an international company having its headquarters in San Salvador{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}} operating under the name of TACA International.

[[File:Lockheed L-188AF YS-06C TACA MIA 24.02.78 edited-3.jpg|thumb|A TACA Air Cargo [[Lockheed L-188A Electra]] at [[Miami International Airport]] in 1978]]

During the 1940s and 1950s, the airline began to acquire larger piston-engine airliners including the [[Douglas DC-3]] and the [[Douglas DC-4]]. The [[Vickers Viscount]] turboprop passenger airliner followed in order to expand its route network around the Americas.

On 28 December 1966, TACA International entered the jet age when it inaugurated its first jet, a [[BAC One Eleven]]. This aircraft model was used until 1 June 1988, when it was phased out in favor of the [[Boeing 737-200]]. The [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] four-engine turboprop airliner was operated from 1976 by ''TACA Air Cargo'' including freight flights to Miami, Florida.

===Expansion years (1980–2009)===
[[File:Old logo TACA Airlines (now Avianca El Salvador) 1999-2008.svg|thumb|Former logo of TACA Airlines from 1999-2008.]]
[[File:TACA International Airlines Boeing 737-300 JetPix.jpg|thumb|A TACA [[Boeing 737-300]] in 1994]]

Until 1980, TACA was owned by a United States company and had its corporate headquarters in [[New Orleans]] (due to the civil war raging in El Salvador) under the administration of the Kriete Family of [[El Salvador]], who owned a minority stock and ended up buying all the shares.

According to the July 1983 TACA route map, the air carrier was operating jet service to four destinations in the U.S. from Central America (including [[Houston]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Miami]] and [[New Orleans]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Departed Flights |url=https://www.departedflights.com/TA0783/html |website=www.departedflights.com}}{{dead link|date=April 2024}}</ref> The airline also made several upgrades to its fleet during the 1980s by replacing the older turboprops as well as BAC One Eleven jetliners with more efficient aircraft, such as the [[Boeing 737-200]] Advanced and [[737-300]] with the latter type being a member of the [[Boeing 737 Classic]] series. TACA later operated wide body [[Boeing 767]]s on its scheduled passenger services including international flights to Los Angeles and Miami.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airliners.net {{!}} Aviation Photography, Discussion Forums & News |url=https://www.airliners.net/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Airliners.net}}</ref>

Between 1990 and 1995, TACA bought the majority shares of the [[flag carrier]] airlines; [[Aviateca]], [[LACSA]], and [[Nicaragüense de Aviación]], consolidating operations under a new brand group name, '''Grupo TACA'''.

In the 1990s, TACA International became the launch customer and principal user of Latin America's [[Airbus A320]]. These aircraft were substituting for the aging Boeing 737-200 and the 737-300/-400 series aircraft that were in the fleet, which were gradually retired until 1999.

[[File:TACA Airbus A319 Ramirez.jpg|thumb|right|A TACA International [[Airbus A319-100]] taking off from [[Medellín]], [[Colombia]]]]

In 1992, TACA signed a strategic alliance with [[Panama]]-based [[Copa Airlines]], and the airline began flying to [[Tocumen International Airport]], making it the first flight connection center in Latin America. As a consequence, Tocumen airport
became the "Hub of the Americas" and the integration of several Latin American airlines into the alliance took place. The alliance ended in 1998 after the six-year period established in the agreement expired.

On 9 August 1995, [[Aviateca Flight 901]] crashed into the [[San Vicente (volcano)|San Vicente volcano]] while on approach to Comalapa International Airport killing all 65 people onboard the aircraft. The Salvadoran [[Civil Aviation Authority (El Salvador)|Civil Aviation Authority]] determined that the accident's probable cause was the flight crew's "lack of situational awareness in relation to the 7,159 foot obstruction [the San Vicente volcano]" and that the airline's [[crew resource management]] program was ineffective.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450603-0|title=Aviateca Flight 901|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref> As TACA International Airlines was Aviateca's parent company, both airlines faced lawsuits from 21 families of crash victims, however, all the lawsuits were settled out of court.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/tendencias/Tragedia-de-1995-en-fotos-La-caida-del-vuelo-901-de-Aviateca-20210809-0044.html|title=Tragedia de 1995 en Fotos: La Caída del Vuelo 901 de Aviateca|trans-title=1995 Tragedy in Photos: The Fall of Aviateca Flight 901|language=es|date=9 August 2021|access-date=17 January 2024|work=[[La Prensa Gráfica]]|first1=Luis|last1=Lozano}}</ref>

Then in 2001, having its main hubs in San Salvador and San Jose, the airline set an operations base in Lima, Peru, its first base in South America, causing as a consequence the founding of [[TACA Perú]], of which TACA had 49% shares at. With this new addition, Grupo TACA began to offer a comprehensive network of routes throughout the Americas.

In 2005, TACA was one of the founding members of the Mexican airline [[Volaris]]. In the same year, TACA became the first airline in Latin America to operate the [[Airbus A321]].

In 2008, the board of directors decided to revert to the original name, ''TACA International'' (since the consolidation of the acquired airlines was completed), and the airline's headquarters returned to [[San Salvador]], [[El Salvador]] to a new building which was inaugurated shortly afterward. Also, it revealed a renovation in its corporate image. That same year, TACA became the second user of the Brazilian [[Embraer 190]] in Latin America.

===AviancaTACA and modernization (2009–12)===
[[File:Old logo TACA Airlines (now Avianca El Salvador) 2008-2013.svg|thumb|Former logo of TACA Airlines until 2013.]]
[[File:TACA airplanes SJO 04 2005.jpg|thumb|Two [[Airbus A320-200]]s from TACA International at the [[Juan Santamaría International Airport]]]]

On 7 October 2009, it was announced that TACA International would merge its assets in a strategic alliance with Colombian flag carrier [[Avianca]], in which case each will maintain its trademark and operations. Avianca and TACA International operated a combined fleet of 129 aircraft, serving over 100 destinations in several countries in America and Europe.<ref name='BBC 2009-10-09'>{{cite news|title=Latin American airlines to merge|date=2009-10-09|publisher=BBC|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8296256.stm|work=BBC Online|page=1|access-date=2009-10-08}}</ref> In December 2009 approval for the merger was given by the Colombian Civil Aeronautical Agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.poder360.com/dailynews_detail.php?blurbid=4034|title=Poder 360° - Page One Daily News - Avianca and Taca Merger Approved |publisher=Poder360.com|date=2009-12-03|access-date=2013-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222134549/http://www.poder360.com/dailynews_detail.php?blurbid=4034|archive-date=2014-02-22|url-status=usurped }}</ref> The merger of Colombia's Avianca and El Salvador-based TACA is the latest sign that consolidation in the Latin American airline sector is picking up.

In June 2011, AviancaTaca signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 51 A320 family aircraft, including 33 eco-efficient [[Airbus A320neo]]s. This made it the largest order for the A320neo in Latin America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2011/06/aviancataca-to-increase-fleet-with-51-a320-family-aircraft.html|title=AviancaTaca to increase fleet with 51 A320 Family aircraft|access-date=2020-09-02|archive-date=2018-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208162721/http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2011/06/aviancataca-to-increase-fleet-with-51-a320-family-aircraft.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Star Alliance (2010–12)====
On 10 November 2010, Star Alliance announced that Avianca and TACA International were to become full members in mid-2012.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Completion of merger and final flight===
[[Avianca]] and TACA completed their merger on 21 May 2013. The day prior, just before midnight, TACA International began to remove all its signs bearing the TACA logo from airports across the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The last flight with the TACA callsign took place on 20 May 2013. The flight was TACA Flight 566 from [[El Salvador International Airport]] to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in New York City. It departed San Salvador at 7:50 pm MST and landed in New York at 2:35 am EST. The flight landed two hours and thirty-five minutes after the official re-branding of the airlines; thus, the flight departed with the TACA callsign and landed with the Avianca callsign. The final official TACA flight to have the TACA callsign was TACA Flight 520 from San Salvador to [[Los Angeles]]. This flight departed at 7:20 p.m. MST and landed at 11:50 pm PDT. The first flight departing operated by Avianca El Salvador took place on 21 May 2013. The flight was then Avianca El Salvador Flight 561 from [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]] to San Salvador. The flight departed at 1:25 a.m. PDT and landed at 7:55 a.m. MST. This was followed by Avianca El Salvador Flight 521 from Los Angeles to San Salvador. This flight departed at 1:30 a.m. PDT and landed at 7:30 a.m. MST.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Merger and controversy in Costa Rica (2012–13)===
[[File:TACA - Flickr - skinnylawyer.jpg|thumb|A TACA International [[Airbus A320-200]] in the airline's final livery at Los Angeles]]
On 10 October 2012, it was reported in a press conference that the trade name TACA International would disappear from the public eye and the promotion and marketing strategies would be owned by Avianca, according to representatives of the group that controls the brand. AviancaTaca's CEO, Fabio Villegas, explained that the use of the single brand for the group would occur in the first half of 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacion.com/2012-10-11/Economia/Nombre-TACA-desaparece-del-fuselaje-de-los-aviones.aspx|title=Nombre TACA desaparece del fuselaje de los aviones - ECONOMÍA - La Nación|publisher=Nacion.com|date=2012-10-11|access-date=2013-06-04|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013194237/http://www.nacion.com/2012-10-11/Economia/Nombre-TACA-desaparece-del-fuselaje-de-los-aviones.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although the TACA trade name would disappear from the public eye, TACA will continue to operate but it will operate under the '''Avianca El Salvador''' brand and it will remain a full member of [[Star Alliance]]. Despite the TACA name being permanently retired, Avianca El Salvador continues to use the IATA and IACO identifiers "TA" and "TAI", along with the call sign "TACA" for flights.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

On 18 May 2013, AviancaTaca Holding downgraded the [[Juan Santamaría International Airport]] hub in [[San José, Costa Rica]] to a base of operations as part of the post-merger restructuring. This included the discontinuation of more than five non-stop flights made by the airline to and from San Jose, including flights to all cities in the United States. As a consequence, more than 200 employees lost their jobs (equivalent to 20% of the workforce of the airline). This was controversial in Costa Rica and led to an extensive investigation by the civil aviation authorities of that country against the holding company.<ref>{{cite web|author=juuber|url=http://www.estrategiaynegocios.net/blog/2013/05/18/avianca-taca-reorganiza-vuelos-y-elimina-261-empleos-en-costa-rica/|title=AviancaTaca reorganiza vuelos y elimina 261 empleos en Costa Rica - Revista Estrategia & Negocios|publisher=Estrategiaynegocios.net|date=2013-05-18|access-date=2013-06-04|archive-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619111616/http://www.estrategiaynegocios.net/blog/2013/05/18/avianca-taca-reorganiza-vuelos-y-elimina-261-empleos-en-costa-rica/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacion.com/2013-05-25/ElPais/Aviacion-Civil-afirma-que-Avianca-suspendio-vuelos-sin-avisar.aspx|title=Aviación Civil afirma que Avianca suspendió vuelos sin avisar - EL PAÍS - La Nación|publisher=Nacion.com|date=2013-05-25|access-date=2013-06-04|archive-date=8 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608114949/http://www.nacion.com/2013-05-25/ElPais/Aviacion-Civil-afirma-que-Avianca-suspendio-vuelos-sin-avisar.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aeronoticias.com.pe/noticiero/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38958:costa-rica-reestructuracion-de-avianca-afecta-mercado-aereo&catid=14:14&Itemid=574|title=Costa Rica: Reestructuración de Avianca afecta mercado aéreo|publisher=Aeronoticias.com.pe|date=2013-05-27|access-date=2013-06-04}}</ref>

In November 2022, Avianca painted one of its Airbus A320s (registration: N567AV) in TACA Airlines' 1990s livery.<ref name="LPG" />

==Operations==
Avianca El Salvador is headquartered at Avenida El Espino in [[Antiguo Cuscatlán]], El Salvador. The airline's [[air operator's certificate]] is COA-002-TA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aac.gob.sv/operadores-aereos-nacionales/|title=Operadores Aereos Nacionales|trans-title=National Aerial Operators|language=es|access-date=1 March 2024|work=[[Civil Aviation Authority (El Salvador)|Civil Aviation Authority]]}}</ref> Avianca El Salvador uses the [[ICAO airline designator]] "TAI";<ref name="CfA" /> it used the [[IATA airline designator]] "TA" until 1 January 2024 which it transitioned to the Avianca code "AV".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/135169-avianca-airlines-set-to-cease-using-ex-taca-code|title=Avianca Airlines Set to Cease Using ex-TACA Code|language=en|date=15 December 2023|access-date=6 March 2025|first1=Dominik|last1=Sipinski|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Services==
[[File:TACA Airlines A321 LAX.JPG|thumb|A TACA International [[Airbus A321-200]] landing at [[Los Angeles International Airport]]]]

The former airlines that made up Grupo TACA were:
*'''TACA International'''
**TACA Regional
*[[Aviateca]]
**[[Aviateca|Inter Regional]] - operated under Aviateca's code.
*[[Isleña Airlines]]
*[[LACSA]]
*[[Nicaragüense de Aviación]]
*[[TACA Perú]]

The airline's hubs before the Avianca merger were:
*[[Comalapa International Airport|Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport]] in [[San Salvador]], [[El Salvador]]
*[[Jorge Chávez International Airport]] in [[Lima]], [[Peru]]
*[[Juan Santamaría International Airport]] in [[San José, Costa Rica]] ''ended in May 2013''

==Destinations==

[[File:TACA International Airlines route map (1940).jpg|thumb|right|alt=A map depicting routes operated by TACA International Airlines in 1940 in Central America|A map of routes operated by TACA Airlines in 1940]]
Avianca El Salvador serves destinations throughout North and South America.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Country
!City
!Airport
!Notes
!class=unsortable|Refs
|-
|{{BLZ}}||[[Belize City]]||[[Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|rowspan=2|{{CAN}}||[[Montreal]]||[[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport]]||{{Airline seasonal}}||
|-
|[[Toronto]]||[[Toronto Pearson International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|rowspan=4|{{COL}}||[[Bogotá]]||[[El Dorado International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Cali]]||[[Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|[[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]]||[[Rafael Núñez International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|[[Medellín]]||[[José María Córdova International Airport]]||||<ref> {{cite web | url=https://aviationclubcenter.com/index.php/2024/09/09/avianca-anuncia-una-nueva-ruta-internacional/ |title=avianca anuncia una nueva ruta internacional | date=9 September 2024}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2|{{CRI}}||[[Liberia, Costa Rica|Liberia]]||[[Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|[[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]||[[Juan Santamaría International Airport]]||{{Airline focus}}||
|-
|{{CUB}}||[[Havana]]||[[José Martí International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asere.com/avianca-dejara-de-volar-a-cuba-el-proximo-15-de-enero/|title=Avianca dejará de volar a Cuba el próximo 15 de enero|date=22 November 2019 |language=es|publisher=Asere|access-date=November 24, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2|{{ECU}}||[[Guayaquil]]||[[José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Quito]]||[[Mariscal Sucre International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|{{ELS}}||[[San Salvador]]||[[El Salvador International Airport]]||{{Airline hub}}||
|-
|{{GUA}}||[[Guatemala City]]||[[La Aurora International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|rowspan=4|{{HON}}||[[Comayagua]]||[[Palmerola International Airport]]||align=center| ||<ref name="Comayagua">{{cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/12/as-of-thursday-16-american-and-avianca-will-move-their-operations-to-palmerola/|title=As of Thursday 16 American and Avianca will move their operations to Palmerola|website=Aviacionline.com|author=Nicolás Zorro Rincón|date=14 December 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2021}}</ref>
|-
||[[Roatán]]||[[Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|[[San Pedro Sula]]||[[Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Tegucigalpa]]||[[Toncontín International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||<ref name="Comayagua"/>
|-
|rowspan=2|{{MEX}}||[[Cancún]]||[[Cancún International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Mexico City]]||[[Mexico City International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|{{NIC}}||[[Managua]]||[[Augusto C. Sandino International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|{{PAN}}||[[Panama City]]||[[Tocumen International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|{{PER}}||[[Lima]]||[[Jorge Chávez International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|{{ESP}}||[[Madrid]]||[[Madrid–Barajas Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web|title=Avianca empezó a volar entre San Salvador y Madrid|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/06/avianca-empezo-a-volar-entre-san-salvador-y-madrid/|website=Aviacionline.com|date=23 June 2023 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=15|{{USA}}||[[Boston]]||[[Logan International Airport]]||align=center| ||{{cn|date=June 2024}}
|-
|[[Chicago]]||[[O'Hare International Airport]]||{{Airline seasonal}}||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250207-avns25salord| title=Avianca Resumes San Salvador-Chicago Service in NS25 | date= 7 February 2025 |publisher=aeroroutes.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dallas]]||[[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Houston]]||[[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Las Vegas]]||[[Harry Reid International Airport]]||{{Airline seasonal}}||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-welcomes-aviancas-inaugural-flight/|title=Harry Reid International Airport welcomes Avianca's inaugural flight to Las Vegas|website=8newsnow.com|author=Linsey Lewis|date=16 July 2023 |access-date=July 16, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[Los Angeles]]||[[Los Angeles International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Miami]]||[[Miami International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]||[[Newark Liberty International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|[[New Orleans]]||[[New Orleans International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||
|-
|[[New York City]]||[[John F. Kennedy International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Oakland, California|Oakland]]||[[Oakland International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oaklandairport.com/avianca-adds-new-el-salvador-flight-at-oak/|title=Avianca adds new El Salvador flight at OAK|website=Oaklandairport.com|date=7 September 2023 |access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ontario, California|Ontario]]||[[Ontario International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]||[[Orlando International Airport]]||{{Airline seasonal}}||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250116-avns25na|title=Avianca NS25 North America Frequency Changes|publisher=aeroroutes.com|date=16 January 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[San Francisco]]||[[San Francisco International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|[[Washington, D.C.]]||[[Dulles International Airport]]||align=center| ||
|-
|}

===Codeshare agreements===
The airline has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref name="CAPA Avianca El Salvador profile">{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/avianca-el-salvador-ta|title=Profile on Avianca El Salvador|website=CAPA|publisher=Centre for Aviation|access-date=2016-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101155637/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/avianca-el-salvador-ta|archive-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live}}</ref>

*[[Avianca]]
*[[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]]
*[[United Airlines]]

==Fleet==
[[File:N788AV @ SFO, 2022-04-20.jpg|thumb|Avianca El Salvador [[Airbus A320neo]] at [[San Francisco International Airport]] in 2022.]]

===Current fleet===
{{As of|2025|9}}, Avianca El Salvador operates the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Global Airline Guide 2025 - Avianca El Salvador |magazine=Airliner World |date=September 2025 |page=58}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Avianca El Salvador fleet 
|-
!rowspan=2|Aircraft
!rowspan=2|In <br> service
!rowspan=2|Orders
!colspan=4|Passengers
!rowspan=2|Notes
|- 
!<abbr title=Premium>W</abbr>
!<abbr title=Plus>Y+</abbr>
!<abbr title=Economy>Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
|[[Airbus A320-200]]
|8
|&mdash;
|rowspan=2|12
|rowspan=2|60
|rowspan=2|108
|rowspan=2|180
|
|-
|[[Airbus A320neo]]
|12
|&mdash;
|
|-
!Total
!20
!&mdash;
!colspan=5|
|}

===Former fleet===
[[File:Avianca Central America Airbus A321-231(WL) N747AV taxiing at JFK Airport.jpg|thumb|A former Avianca El Salvador [[Airbus A321-200]] at [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in 2018]]
TACA International operated the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net./TACA.html|title=TACA fleet|website=aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Avianca El Salvador former fleet
|-
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A300|Airbus A300B4-200F]]
|5
|1998
|2001
|Operated by JHM Airlines Cargo
|-
|[[Airbus A319-100]]
|14
|1999
|2023
|
|-
|[[Airbus A321-200]]
|6
|2005
|2022
|
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven|BAC One-Eleven Series 400]]
|3
|1966
|1988
|
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven|BAC One-Eleven Series 500]]
|1
|1981
|1982
|
|-
|[[Beechcraft 17]]
|1
|1950
|1953
|
|-
|[[Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker]]
|1
|1935
|1944
|
|-
|[[Bellanca CH-400 Skyrocket]]
|3
|1934
|{{unknown}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scitech/impacto/graphic/aviation/graphic_companies3.html|title=Aviation Companies, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba & Mexico|publisher=Smithsonianeducation.org|access-date=2015-02-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 737-200]]
|16
|1982
|2005
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-300]]
|9
|1988
|1999
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-400]]
|1
|1992
|1993
|Transferred to [[Carnival Air Lines]]
|-
|[[Boeing 767-200]]
|2
|1985
|1995
|
|-
|[[Boeing 767-200ER]]
|3
|1992
|1997
|
|-
|[[Boeing 767-300ER]]
|3
|1993
|2000
|
|-
|[[Canadair CL-44]]
|1
|1974
|1974
|
|-
|[[Cessna Citation I]]
|1
|1994
|1995
|
|-
|[[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]
|2
|1945
|1970
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]
|15
|1945
|1948
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
|3
|1949
|1975
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-4]]
|2
|1947
|1973
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6]]
|5
|1970
|1978
|
|-
|[[Embraer 190AR]]
|12
|2008
|2019
|<ref>{{cite journal|title=Global Airline Guide 2016 (Part One)|journal=Airliner World|issue=October 2016|page=13}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ford Trimotor|Ford 5-AT Tri-Motor]]
|18
|1934
|1944
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/fordtri.htm |title= Ford Tri-Motor|website=www.nasm.si.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423084858/http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/fordtri.htm |archive-date=April 23, 2006}}</ref>
|-
|[[Grumman G-21 Goose]]
|1
|1947
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Kreutzer K-5 Air Coach]]
|2
|{{unknown}}
|1937
|
|-
|[[Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar]]
|1
|{{unknown}}
|1947
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1940airterminal.org/hangar/lodestar/lodestar31g.htm |title= Lockheed Lodestar N31G Virtual Exhibit|website=www.1940airterminal.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051118200516/http://www.1940airterminal.org/hangar/lodestar/lodestar31g.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2005}}</ref>
|-
|[[Lockheed L-188A Electra]]
|2
|1975
|1985
|
|-
|[[Metal Aircraft Corporation Flamingo|Metal Aircraft Flamingo]]
|2
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cahslunken.org/|title=Home of Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Society|publisher=Cahslunken.org|access-date=2015-02-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Stinson Model O]]
|3
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Stinson Model U]]
|1
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Vickers Viscount]]
|7
|1954
|1975
|
|-
|}

==Reciprocal frequent-flyer agreements==
LifeMiles is the frequent-flyer program of Avianca and TACA International as of 2009, because of the merger with Avianca. It replaced the old "Distancia" program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lifemiles.com/indexes.aspx|title=LifeMiles – El programa de viajero frecuente de Avianca, TACA y AeroGal|publisher=Lifemiles.com|access-date=2013-06-04}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
[[File:Taca Guatemala.jpg|thumb|TACA Flight 510 crash in Guatemala City, April 6, 1993]]

* On 3 June 1945, a [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered YS-22) owned by TACA and operated by [[Aerovias Brasil]] made an emergency landing on the [[Rede Mineira de Viação]] and caught fire. All 4 crew members survived.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450603-0|title=TACA 1945 Douglas DC-3 Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 17 March 1947, a [[Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar|Lockheed C-60 Lodestar]] (registered YS-28) crashed into the Cerro del Padre Amaya mountain range in Colombia, killing all 8 occupants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19470317-0|title=TACA 1947 Lockheed C-60 Lodestar Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 5 March 1959, a [[Vickers Viscount]] (registered YS-09C) crashed shortly after take-off from [[Augusto C. Sandino International Airport|Managua International Airport]] at [[Managua]], Nicaragua when both port engines failed. 15 of the 19 people on board were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19590305-0|title=TACA 1959 Vickers Viscount Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=11 September 2009}}</ref>
* On 2 May 1976, a [[Douglas DC-6]] (registered YS-35C) undershot the runway on approach to the [[Rubelsanto Airport]] in Guatemala. No crew members were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19760502-2|title=TACA 1976 Douglas DC-6 Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 2 February 1980, a [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] (registered YS-07C) caught fire while on the ground in San Salvador, damaging the aircraft beyond repair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800202-0|title=1980 TACA Lockheed L-188 Electra Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 24 May 1988, [[TACA Flight 110]], a [[Boeing 737-300]] (registered N75356) operating to [[New Orleans]], suffered a double engine flame-out due to water ingestion, a result of an in-flight encounter with an area of hefty rain and hail. The design of the engines and FAA water ingestion certification standards did not take into account the higher water volume of strong or severe thunderstorms while operating at lower power. The plane landed without further damage on a grass levee at the [[NASA]] [[Michoud Assembly Facility]]. All 45 passengers were uninjured.<ref name="FAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/lessons_learned/transport_airplane/accidents/N75356|title=Boeing 737-300 – TACA International Airlines Flight 110, N75356|language=en|access-date=8 April 2023|work=[[Federal Aviation Administration]]}}</ref>
* On 20 July 1988, a Douglas DC-6 (registered N33VX) lost power on three of its four engines due to fuel starvation. The aircraft attempted an emergency landing, but the wing hit the ground upon landing at [[Golden Meadow, Louisiana]], destroying the aircraft. All 3 crew members were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19880720-1|title=1988 TACA Douglas DC-6 Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 5 April 1993, TACA Flight 510, a [[Boeing 767-200]] (registered N767TA), overran the runway at [[Guatemala City]]'s [[La Aurora International Airport]] due to an inability to brake on the flooded runway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19930406-1|title=TACA International Airlines Flight 510|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 24 April 1995, a [[Cessna Citation I]] (registered N120ES) undershot the runway on approach to the Comalapa International Airport in San Salvador, colliding with trees 2,500 feet short of the runway. Both crew members survived.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19950424-0|title=1995 TACA Cessna Citation I Accident|work=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
* On 30 May 2008, [[TACA Flight 390]], an [[Airbus A320-200]] (registered EI-TAF), overran a rain-soaked runway on landing at [[Toncontín International Airport]] in [[Tegucigalpa]], Honduras. There were 5 fatalities, 2 of which were on the ground.<ref>{{cite news|title=Plane skids off runway in Honduras, 5 dead|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN3029714820080530|work=[[Reuters]]|date=30 May 2008|access-date=30 May 2008}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==See also==
*[[List of airlines of El Salvador]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Commonscat|Avianca El Salvador}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.avianca.com}}
**{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.taca.com/|title=TACA (taca.com)}}
**{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.grupotaca.com/|title=TACA (grupotaca.com)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120207055818/http://www.aeroman.com.sv/ Aeroman.com.sv]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090421000933/http://www.tus-sentidos.com/ Tus-sentidos.com]
* [https://archive.today/20110206161505/https://introducing.lifemiles.com/en/ Introducing.lifemiles.com]
* [http://www.taca-airlines.com/ Taca-airlines.com]

{{Avianca}}
{{IATA members|latinam}}
{{Star Alliance}}
{{Subject bar
|portal1=El Salvador
|portal2=Companies
|auto=y
|d=y
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taca Airlines}}
[[Category:Avianca El Salvador| ]]
[[Category:Grupo TACA| ]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1931]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in El Salvador]]
[[Category:Airlines of El Salvador]]
[[Category:Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association]]
[[Category:Star Alliance]]