With a robust network of routes, it reaffirms its commitment to connecting the skies of Latin America, consolidating a legacy that has shaped over a century of aviation on the continent.
To commemorate this milestone, the airline presents 105 key moments that highlight emblematic events in its history, ranging from historic flights and the transportation of prominent figures to its remarkable transformation.
1919: Founding of the German-Colombian Air Transport Society (Scadta) in Barranquilla.
1920: The first official Scadta flight took place, from Barranquilla to Girardot, using the Junkers F-13 hydroplane “Colombia.”
1921: Scadta established regular operations between Barranquilla, Girardot, and Neiva.
1922: Scadta’s Junkers F-13 "Cauca," piloted by Von Krohn, completed the first direct 1,200-kilometer flight between Barranquilla and Cali.
1922: Scadta signed a contract with the Colombian government to operate national airmail services.
1923: Scadta transported a shipment of gold and currency from Puerto Berrío to Girardot to save the country from bankruptcy.
1924: Scadta operated three regular routes with its hydroplanes: Barranquilla-Girardot, Girardot-Neiva, and
Cartagena-Barranquilla-Ciénaga.
1925: Scadta conducted an exploratory flight from Barranquilla to Palm Beach, the first flight between Latin America and the United States.
1926: Scadta executives, the Bauer brothers and Olaya Herrera, continued negotiations in Washington and New York for permanent landing rights in the Panama Canal Zone.
1958: Avianca flew Luz Marina Zuluaga, the first Colombian crowned Miss Universe, from Miami to Barranquilla.
1959: The El Dorado International Airport, Colombia’s most ambitious project, was inaugurated.
1960: The Boeing 707-120 was the first jet operated by Avianca. In 1961, the 720B was added, becoming the first aircraft ordered directly from the manufacturer.
1964: Avianca's first jet, a Boeing Tri-jet 727, landed in Medellín.
1965: Avianca transported the famous French actress Brigitte Bardot, who made a stopover in Bogotá while traveling to Mexico to film the movie ¡Viva María!
1966: Avianca received its first 727-100, introducing jet comfort and speed to short- and medium-haul domestic and international routes.
1968: Avianca transported Pope Paul VI during his visit to Colombia, the first papal visit to a Latin American country.
1969: Avianca paid tribute to the Apollo 11 moon landing with a cover story in Apuntes de a Bordo, the airline's magazine.
1969: The Avianca Building, Colombia's first skyscraper, was inaugurated.
1969: Avianca celebrated its 50th anniversary, updated its corporate image, and painted its aircraft red.
1970: Avianca conducted its first excursion to the Soviet Union.
1971: Avianca operated its first flight from Colombia to Switzerland.
1972: With a fleet of 33 aircraft, Avianca transported 75% of the country’s passengers, totaling 1,841,000 people.
1974: Avianca modernized its fleet for short-haul flights with Hawker Siddeley HS 748 — or Avro 748 — aircraft.
1976: Avianca began domestic demonstration flights with the world’s largest airplane, the Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet."
1979: Avianca received the HK-2300, a Boeing 747-200B christened Cartagena de Indias.
1981: Avianca began constructing the Puente Aéreo Terminal in Bogotá in collaboration with Civil Aviation authorities.
1986: Pope John Paul II arrived in Colombia on an Avianca flight. The airline accompanied him to Cali, Medellín, Popayán, Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Pereira.
1990: Avianca began renewing its fleet with the acquisition of two Boeing 767-200ER aircraft.
1992: Avianca added eleven MD-83s and two Boeing 757-200s to its fleet, excelling in short-haul, high-frequency routes.
1992: Avianca launched the Avianca Plus program to reward frequent flyers.
1993: With the arrival of the FOKKER 50, Avianca made a strong investment in the secondary routes market in Colombia.
1994: Avianca formed a strategic alliance with SAM and Helicol S.A., creating the Avianca System.
1996: The Ministry of Communications granted Avianca a license for specialized courier transport, initiating Deprisa.
1928: Scadta inaugurated its first international route, Barranquilla-Guayaquil.
1929: The Sikorsky S-38, nicknamed “Amphibians,” joined Scadta’s fleet, facilitating aviation on the Magdalena River.
1930: The Techo Airport was inaugurated, serving as a connection for hydroplanes arriving from Flandes to Barranquilla.
1931: Scadta established mail services between Bogotá and New York.
1932: Scadta was appointed as the official agency for airmail in Colombia and supported the Colombian Army during the Colombian-Peruvian War.
1935: The first Scadta ticket was issued for the Barranquilla-Cartagena
route.
1937: Scadta acquired “The Conquerors,” ten Boeing 247D aircraft with retractable wheels and twin engines, capable of carrying ten passengers.
1939: Scadta merged with the Colombian Air Service (SACO). The new company was named Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia S.A., Avianca.
1940: Douglas DC-3 aircraft joined Avianca’s fleet, extending routes to Colombia’s eastern plains and the Amazon.
1946: Avianca introduced cabin crew service, now known as flight attendants, to serve meals, provide first aid, and distribute earplugs or chewing gum.
1946: Avianca’s first exploratory flight to Europe took place from Bogotá to London.
1947: “El Colombiano” was the name of Avianca’s weekly Bogotá-Barranquilla-Miami flight, its first regular service to the United States.
1948: Avianca founded Aerotaxi, a subsidiary airline aimed at serving Colombia’s most remote communities.
1949: Avianca extended its "El Colombiano" route to New York City.
1950: For the Jubilee declared by Pope Pius XII, Avianca scheduled flights to Rome to accommodate high pilgrim demand.
1951: The Lockheed L-749 Constellation joined Avianca’s fleet, reinforcing long-haul routes with the airline’s first pressurized aircraft.
1952: Avianca introduced the "Ruana Roja" service on Lockheed Constellation flights, noted for onboard meals and distinctive flight attendant uniforms.
1954: Avianca adjusted its European routes with the range of the Lockheed Constellation, reaching cities like Lisbon, Paris, and Frankfurt.
1956: Avianca transported 32 Colombian athletes to the Melbourne Olympics.
1998: Avianca turned Bogotá into the airline’s hub, offering 6,000 weekly
connections.
2002: Avianca joined the Summa Alliance, a partnership with Aces and SAM airlines.
2005: Avianca introduced a new corporate image featuring a condor designed with three-color lines and formalized its new name: Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A., Avianca.
2006: Avianca brought the Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to Bogotá during his Latin American tour, where he gave talks on cultivating inner peace.
2006: The Banco de Millas (Miles Bank) program was launched with miles donated by Avianca and its frequent flyers.
2007: Avianca placed an order for 57 new Airbus aircraft — 47 A320s and ten A330-200s — starting a fleet renewal program.
2008: For $35 million, Avianca acquired 100% of Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Panamericanos, Tampa Cargo.
2009: The Avianca Administrative Center (CAV) was inaugurated in Bogotá, featuring cutting-edge technological innovations in energy efficiency and environmental respect.
2010: The merger between Avianca and TACA (Transportes Aéreos del Continente Americano) took place.
2011: LifeMiles was created, combining the Avianca Plus and TACA Distancia frequent flyer programs.
2012: Avianca announced its membership in Star Alliance, the world's most significant global airline network.
2013: Avianca was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the name AVH, becoming the third Colombian-owned company to do so.
2014: After 13 years, Avianca resumed service to England with a non-stop flight between Bogotá and London.
2014: Avianca became the official airline of the Colombian national soccer team during its historic participation in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
2014: Avianca received its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the most modern aircraft in its fleet.
2016: Avianca inaugurated its MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility in Rionegro.
2019: Avianca Holdings surpassed 30 million passengers per year for the first time in its history.
2019: Avianca transported Pope Francis from Panama to Rome.
2019: Avianca introduced a new domestic flight fare model.
2019: Avianca inaugurated its Day Care operation in Bogotá, thanks to its partnership with Compensar.
2019: Avianca celebrated its 100th anniversary: a century of history in aviation.
2021: Avianca revealed an aircraft with an external design inspired by Disney's movie Encanto.
2021: Avianca became the first airline in South America to launch the IATA Travel Pass.
2021: Avianca and its app showcased their commitment to enhancing the
digital experience and self-service for travelers.
2022: Avianca and the UK Embassy in Colombia celebrated the launch of the first visa-free flight to London.
2022: Avianca announced its expansion to Manaus, Belo Horizonte, and Boston, and the release of four new routes for sale.
2023: Avianca launched the "ALL GIVING EVERYTHING" campaign, recognizing its 12,000 employees, and presented operational and service results.
2023: Moody's upgraded Avianca's credit rating from B3 to B2 due to solid execution of its business plan.
2023: Avianca made the largest investment in its history in Colombia: USD 473 million to continue connecting regions.
2023: "The Sky Belongs to Everyone": Avianca unveiled its new brand and the results of its reinvention.
2023: For the first time in its history, Avianca graduated its first all-female pilot class and launched a scholarship program for women pilots in Colombia.
2023: Avianca resumed operations on the Bogotá-Caracas route.
2023: Avianca boosted business growth by showcasing three Colombian
brands at 36,000 feet.
2023: Avianca and Ernesto Cortissoz Airport celebrated the 3-millionth passenger of the year.
2024: Avianca was recognized as the world's most punctual airline in
2023.
2024: Colombia celebrated a historic record, welcoming its 5.5 millionth tourist, who was transported by Avianca.
2024: Colombia and Canada got closer as Avianca announced ticket sales for the new Bogotá-Montreal route.
2024: Avianca was recognized by the Carbon Disclosure Project for its transparency and environmental commitment.
2024: Over 40% of Avianca's team are women, with more than 400 in leadership positions.
2024: Avianca reduced CO2 emissions per passenger transported by 26% compared to its 2019 operations.
2024: Avianca announced new routes connecting Medellín with Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Lima.
2024: Avianca became the official airline of the Olympic Committees of Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador.
2024: Latin America gets closer to Europe with Avianca's new direct route Bogotá–Paris.
2024: Avianca unveiled an aircraft with a new livery honoring the Olympic Committees of Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador.
2024: Avianca revamped its Business Class experience for flights to Europe and the Americas.
2024: Avianca returned to Cuba with a direct route from Bogotá.
2024: Avianca implemented over 30 actions to improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities.
2024: Avianca and WCS extended their partnership, promoting biodiversity conservation in Latin America with a new commemorative design.
2024: Avianca announced a new direct route from Bogotá to Chicago.
2024: Proudly Colombian: Avianca became a “Country Brand” ambassador.
2024: Avianca celebrated 10 years of its direct route from Bogotá to London.
2024: Avianca announced a new route connecting Medellín with Panama City.
2024: Avianca partnered as the allied airline of COP16.
Source: Avianca.