Colombian airline Avianca is planning a major US expansion in 2025.
The Bogota-based carrier announced five new proposed routes Thursday, each of which will bring new nonstop Latin American flights to the state of Florida.
As part of Avianca’s planned expansion, the carrier will begin its first service from Tampa International Airport (TPA). And, it will add new (or additional) direct links between South Florida and destinations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Colombia.
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 Pedrera said in a statement Thursday.
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Avianca’s scheduled routes
All of Avianca’s proposed routes, announced on Thursday, are subject to government approval. As such, the carrier is yet to announce the service launch dates.
That said, here are the routes the airline says it is looking at:
TPA to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia
The service will give the Tampa Bay region its first service on Avianca – not to mention a direct link to South America, which it currently lacks.
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Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) in Medellin, Colombia
Fort Lauderdale will be the fourth continental US city with a nonstop Avianca flight to Medellin. The carrier currently flies from the city of Columbia to Miami, Orlando, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Medellin has seen a surge in nonstop service to the US with United Airlines. Recently started flights from Houston to the city.
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 is not a new way at all. Avianca last flew between Miami and the Costa Rican capital in 2022.
The addition by Avianca should introduce some competition to 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 that operates service between the two cities.
Fort Lauderdale to Managua (and on to San Salvador)
Avianca also offers service between Fort Lauderdale and Managua, Nicaragua. As part of the setup, the aircraft will then continue from Managua’s Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) to San Salvador’s El Salvador International Airport (SAL) – so travelers can book a direct (one-stop) service. Book a nonstop flight to San Salvador, or Managua.
However, the airline will announce more specific details of all these services at a later date.
Spirit is currently the only US airline with regular service between FL and Managua.
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The bottom line
Avianca’s five new proposed routes from Florida come as the carrier dramatically expands its footprint in North America.
According to data from aviation analytics firm Sirium, in 2024, its total number of seats in the US is up nearly 25% from 2023.
In announcing its expansion on Thursday, the carrier noted that it will end 2024 with eight new destinations across its network.
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