Avianca

Avianca is the flag carrier of Colombia. Avianca is the commercial brand that represents the Latin American airlines integrated into Avianca Holdings S.A. was founded on December 5, 1919, under the name Sociedad Colombo Alemana de Transporte Aéreo, SCADTA. In September 1920, with Fritz Hammer as a pilot, Wilhem Schnurrbush as co-pilot and Stuart Hosie as a passenger, SCADTA made its first flight between Barranquilla and Puerto Berrío. Through SCADTA, Avianca is the world's second-oldest extant airline after KLM and celebrated its 100th anniversary in December 2019. It is the oldest airline in the Western Hemisphere. 

Avianca's slogan is "The First Airline of the Americas".

Today, Avianca Airlines is specialized in air cargo and passenger transportation, serving more than 108 direct destinations in 26 countries throughout the American and European continents with its modern fleet of 126 short, medium, and long-haul aircraft that employs the latest technology to provide you with greater satisfaction during your flights.

 Today, the Avianca fleet consists of the following aircraft:
 

• 7 Airbus A319-100
• 67 Airbus A320-200
• 36 Airbus A320neo
• 16 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
   

Avianca is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its main hub at El Dorado International Airport. Avianca is the flagship of a group of eight Latin American airlines, whose operations are combined to function as one airline using a codesharing system. Before the merger with TACA in 2010, it was wholly owned by Synergy Group S.A., a South American holding company established by Germán Efromovich and specialising in air transport. Avianca became a more innovative airline and in 2011, the LifeMiles unified frequent flyer program is launched. Avianca became an official member of Star Alliance in 2012. It is listed on the Colombia Stock Exchange and in November 2013, the holding firmly entered the international capital markets with the listing of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bogota, July 28, 2021. Avianca received the Diamond certification from APEX Health Safety (Airline Passenger Experience Association) powered by SimpliFlying, which established a global standard to assess hygiene and health protocols for airlines. Before granting the award, the airline’s biosafety measures implemented since it resumed operations in 2020 were audited to guarantee a safer journey for all passengers.

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.