Avianca#Former fleet

{{Main|SCADTA}}

File:SCADTA Junkers W 34 "Magdalena".jpg "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 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 monoplanes, 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 landings 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 philanthropist Peter von Bauer became interested in the airline and contributed general knowledge, capital and a tenth aircraft for the company, as well as obtaining 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.

File:Avianca Boeing 747-259B (M); EI-CEO@MIA, June 1993 (5659668614).jpg 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, forming the new Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia S.A. or Avianca. Five Colombians participated in this: Rafael María Palacio, Jacobo A. Correa, Cristobal Restrepo, and Aristides Noguera, as well as 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-4s and C-54 Skymasters. In 1951, Avianca acquired Lockheed Constellations and Super Constellations.{{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.{{Cite web |title=Avianca |url=https://www.seatmaestro.com/airlines-seating-maps/avianca/history/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=SeatMaestro |language=en-US}}

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 707s to operate its international routes, and on November 2, 1961, it acquired its own Boeing 720s. In 1976, Avianca became the first Latin American airline to continuously operate the Boeing 747-100. 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.{{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}}

File:Avianca Boeing 767-200ER Dallimonti.jpg taxiing at José María Córdova International Airport in 2004]]

In 1994, Avianca, the regional carrier 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 767s, Boeing 757s, MD-83s, Fokker 50s, and Bell helicopters. In 1996, Avianca Postal Services became Deprisa, which provided various mail services.

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.

After the September 11 attacks, Avianca, SAM, and their major rival 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.

On December 10, 2004, Avianca concluded a major reorganization process, undertaken after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, by obtaining confirmation of its reorganization plan, which was financially backed by the Brazilian consortium, Synergy Group and the 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

Under this plan, Avianca was bought by Synergy Group and was consolidated with its subsidiaries OceanAir and VIP. The company's full legal name was changed from Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia (National Airways of Colombia) to Aerovías del Continente Americano (Airways of the continent of America), retaining the acronym Avianca. On February 28, 2005, Avianca presented its new logo and livery.

File:Avianca Airbus A330-243 Bogota PAOC.jpg at El Dorado International Airport in 2009]]

In October 2009, it was announced that Avianca would merge with TACA Airlines.{{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}}{{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}} 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 less.{{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}} On January 1, 2011, the airline decided to retire the Fokker 100 in 2011 and replace them with 10 Airbus A318s leased from GECAS. The aircraft were delivered from February to April 2011.

On November 10, 2010, Star Alliance announced that Avianca (and its merger counterpart, TACA) were 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.{{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}} On June 21, 2012, Avianca and TACA were both officially admitted into Star Alliance.

On March 21, 2013, at the annual general meeting, the shareholders approved the change of corporate name from AviancaTaca Holding to Avianca Holdings.{{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}} 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, only in October 2018 were all flight itineraries managed by the airline restored.

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

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

{{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 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 had seen 80% of its revenue stopped.

Avianca Holdings and 23 affiliated debtors filed for 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 their 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.{{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}}

Avianca implemented numerous cost-reduction plans during and following their bankruptcy including increasing the passenger capacity and redesigning the cabin of their Airbus A320s, 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.{{Cite web|last=de 2021|first=2 de Junio|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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} Their global headquarters remains in Bogotá. On November 2, 2021, Avianca's reorganization plan was approved by the court,{{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}} 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.{{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}}

On April 29, 2022, Avianca announced plans to acquire low-cost competitor Viva Air Colombia and its subsidiary Viva Air Perú.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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 and 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.{{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}}

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 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.{{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}}

On May 13, 2023, after analyzing the "financial and technical implications" of the merger under these conditions, Avianca withdrew its plans for the acquisition of Viva Air, given the strict requirements of Aerocivil and the damage that these would have on the airline's economy.{{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}}{{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}}

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.

File:Torre Avianca.JPG]]

{{See also|Avianca Group#Corporate affairs}}

Avianca's headquarters are on 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.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." Its previous head office was at Avenida El Dorado No. 93-30.[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.

Avianca's hub is in Bogotá, with its focus cities in Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, San José, and Miami, in the latter of which Avianca is the largest foreign carrier by number of passengers.

Avianca has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:{{cite web|url=https://www.avianca.com/eu/en/search-and-book/alliances-benefits/codeshare/|title=Codeshare|website=Avianca|access-date=26 May 2021}}

{{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{{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}}
• Brussels Airlines
• Clic Air
• Copa Airlines
• Cubana de Aviación
• Etihad Airways
• EVA Air
• Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
• Iberia
• ITA Airways{{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}}
• Lufthansa
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Silver Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Star Perú
• Swiss International Air Lines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines

{{Div col end}}

Avianca has interline agreements with the following airlines:

• APG Airlines{{cite web | url=https://www.apgiet.com/all-partner-airlines.html | title=All Partner Airlines }}
• French Bee{{cite web|url=https://frenchbee.dohop.com/|title=Frenchbee Connect|work=Dohop|access-date=16 July 2024}}
• Norse Atlantic Airways.{{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}}
• Viva{{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 }}

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.

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)

{{See also|Avianca Group#Fleet}}

File:N694AV (14403931359).jpg at Miami International Airport in 2014]]

File:Avianca Airbus A320-214 (N446AV) at Miami International Airport (24424335366).jpg 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 taxiing at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in 2015]]

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

In March 2007 the airline ordered 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{cite journal|title=Avianca Celebrates Arrival of the Dreamliner|journal=Airliner World|date=March 2015|page=14}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Yeo2019-03-15 |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}}

In March 2022 the airline confirmed an order for 88 new A320neo with deliveries between 2025 and 2031.{{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}}

In June 2023, it was reported that Avianca leased eight A320neos that belonged to the bankrupt airline Viva Air for delivery in 2023.{{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}}

In September 2023 the airline disclosed to lease 14 Airbus A320neo planes and two A320ceo planes.{{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}}

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.{{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/}}

Since its founding, Avianca has operated a wide variety of aircraft:{{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}}{{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}}{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net/SCADTA.html|title=Avianca fleet|website=aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=February 20, 2021}}

{{More citations needed|section|date=May 2023}}

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.

• On January 22, 1947, a Douglas C-53B (registered C-108), crashed in the Magdalena River valley, killing all 17 people on board.{{ASN accident|title=C-108|id=19470122-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}
• 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.{{ASN accident|title=HK-163|id=19540809-0|access-date=27 May 2012}}
• On March 9, 1955, a Douglas C-47A (registered HK-328), crashed at Trujillo, Colombia, killing all eight on board. The wreckage was found a month later, but some of the gold and cargo were missing.{{ASN accident|title= HK-328|id= 19550309-0|access-date= 1 July 2013}}
• 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.{{ASN accident|title=HK-135|id=19590623-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}
• On January 21, 1960, Avianca Flight 671, a Lockheed L-1049E, crashed and burned on landing at Sangster International Airport in Jamaica, killing 37 aboard.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.
• On March 22, 1965, a Douglas C-47DL, (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.{{ASN accident|title=HK-109|id=19650322-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}
• 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.
• 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.{{ASN accident|title=HK-174|id=19660922-0|access-date=1 July 2013}}
• 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, killing all 29 on board. A combination of poor CRM, pilot intoxication, deviation from route, and pilot error was cited as the cause.{{ASN accident|title=CCCP-M25|id=19661224-2|access-date=1 July 2013}}
• On 26 April 1967, a Douglas C-47DL (registered HK-326) crashed after takeoff from Alberto Lleras Camargo Airport, killing 17 of 18 onboard.{{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}}
• On May 21, 1970, a Douglas DC-3, (registered HK-121), was 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.{{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}}
• On July 29, 1972, two Douglas DC-3A, registered HK-107 and HK-1341, were involved in a 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.{{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}}{{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}}
• 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.{{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}}
• 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 Airport, Bogotá to La Florida Airport, Tumaco.{{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}}
• 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.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
• 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.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
• 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.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
• 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 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.{{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}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2138929.stm|title=Americas | Massive security at Colombia's airports|work=BBC News|date=19 July 2002|access-date=18 December 2010}}
• On April 12, 1999, Avianca Flight 9463, a Fokker 50 (registered PH-MXT), from Bogotá to Bucaramanga was hijacked by six 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.{{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 }}

In its recent history, the company has won different awards:{{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}}

• 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.

• List of airlines of Colombia
• {{look from}}

{{Reflist}}

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• {{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]

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