Colombian airline Avianca is planning a major expansion in the United States in 2025.
The Bogota-based airline on Thursday announced five new proposed routes, each of which would bring new non-stop flights to Latin America from Florida.
As part of Avianca’s expansion plans, the airline will launch its first service from Tampa International Airport (TPA). New (or additional) direct links will be added between South Florida and destinations within Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Colombia.
Avianca executives spoke about the strong demand for service in the Sunshine State when announcing the expansion plan.
“Florida has historically been an important gateway for connectivity to Latin America, so it’s important to reunite families, promote tourism and bring business together,” Avianca CEO Frederico Pedreira said in a statement Thursday. It is essential for us to help promote this.”
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Avianca’s planned routes
All of Avianca’s planned routes announced Thursday require government approval. Therefore, the carrier has not yet announced the launch date of the service.
That being said, here are the routes airlines say they’re eyeing:
TPA to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia
This service will provide Avianca’s first service to the Tampa Bay area, not to mention providing a direct link to South America, which is currently lacking.
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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) in Medellin, Colombia
Fort Lauderdale becomes the fourth city in the continental United States to offer Avianca nonstop service to Medellin. The airline currently flies from the Colombian city to Miami, Orlando, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Medellin has recently seen an increase in direct flights from the United States on United Airlines. Recently launched flights From Houston to the city.
Avianca will compete on the FLL-MDE route, which is currently served by both JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
Miami International Airport (MIA) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica
This is not an entirely new route. Avianca last flew between Miami and the Costa Rican capital in 2022.
This addition by Avianca will bring some competition to the MIA-SJO route currently served by Miami’s major carrier, American Airlines.
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From Miami to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Avianca last flew this route in 2022.
Currently, American Airlines is the only airline operating between the two cities.
Fort Lauderdale to Managua (and San Salvador)
Avianca also offers service between Fort Lauderdale and Managua, Nicaragua. As part of the setup, aircraft will continue to fly from Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua to El Salvador International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador, so travelers will likely not be able to book a direct (one-stop) service. Sho. Book a direct flight to San Salvador or Managua.
However, the airline may announce more specific details about all this service at a later date.
Spirit is currently the only U.S. airline with scheduled service between FLL and Managua.
Related: Is the Avianca LifeMiles+ subscription worth it?
conclusion
Avianca’s five new proposed routes from Florida come as the airline dramatically expands its footprint in North America.
Total number of seats bound for the U.S. in 2024 increased by nearly 25% compared to 2023, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
In Thursday’s expansion announcement, the company said it plans to add eight new destinations across its network by 2024.
Meanwhile, the airline LifeMiles Loyalty Program is a popular travel option that offers multiple credit card benefits, giving domestic travelers a way to book cheap award tickets on United Airlines and other Star Alliance partners like Air Canada. I’m doing it.
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