The Bogota-based carrier announced five new proposed routes Thursday, each of which would bring new nonstop Latin American flights to the state of Florida.
As part of Avianca’s planned expansion, the carrier would launch its first-ever service from Tampa International Airport (TPA). And, it would add new (or additional) direct links between South Florida and destinations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Colombia itself.
In announcing the proposed expansion, Avianca executives spoke to strong demand for its service in the Sunshine State:
“Florida has historically been a key gateway for connections to Latin America, which is why it is essential for us to contribute to reuniting families, boosting tourism, and promoting business,” Avianca CEO Frederico Pedreira said in a statement Thursday.
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Avianca’s planned routes
All of Avianca’s proposed routes announced Thursday are subject to government approval. As such, the carrier has not yet announced start dates for the service.
That said, here are the routes the airline says it's eyeing:
TPA to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia
This service would give the Tampa Bay region its first-ever service aboard Avianca — not to mention a direct link to South America, which it currently lacks.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) in Medellin, Colombia
Fort Lauderdale would be the fourth continental U.S. city with a nonstop Avianca flight to Medellin. The carrier currently flies from the Colombian city to Miami, Orlando, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Medellin has seen an uptick in nonstop service from the U.S. of late, with United Airlines recently launching flights to the city from Houston.
Avianca will have some competition on the FLL-MDE route, which is currently flown by both JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
Miami International Airport (MIA) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica
This isn’t an entirely new route. Avianca last flew between Miami and the Costa Rican capital in 2022.
This addition by Avianca should inject some competition onto the MIA-SJO route, which is currently flown by Miami's leading carrier, American Airlines.
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Miami to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Avianca last flew this route in 2022, as well.
Currently, American is the only airline to operate service between the two cities.
Fort Lauderdale to Managua (and onto San Salvador)
Avianca is also proposing service between Fort Lauderdale and Managua, Nicaragua. As part of the setup, the aircraft would then continue on from Managua’s Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) to El Salvador International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador — so travelers would likely be able to either book direct (one-stop) service to San Salvador, or book a nonstop flight to Managua.
The airline will likely announce more specific details of all of this service at a later date, though.
Spirit is currently the only U.S. airline with regular service between FLL and Managua.
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Bottom line
Avianca’s five new proposed routes from Florida come as the carrier has dramatically grown its footprint in North America.
In 2024, its total seats to the U.S. rose nearly 25% over 2023, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
In announcing its expansion Thursday, the carrier noted it will finish 2024 with eight new destinations across its network.
Meanwhile, the airline’s LifeMiles loyalty program remains a popular transfer option for multiple credit card rewards, offering an avenue for even domestic U.S. flyers to book cheap award tickets on United — or flights aboard other Star Alliance partners like Air Canada.
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