Avianca Express
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| Founded | December 2018 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | March 1, 2019 | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | LifeMiles | ||||||
| Alliance | Star Alliance (affiliate) | ||||||
| Fleet size | 8 | ||||||
| Destinations | 14 | ||||||
| Parent company | Avianca Holdings | ||||||
| Headquarters | Bogotá, Colombia | ||||||
| Key people | Santiago Diago (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | www.avianca.com | ||||||
Avianca Express (legally Regional Express Américas S.A.S.) is a Colombian regional airline founded in December 2018. It is owned by Avianca Holdings and is being phased in, as of spring 2019, as part of the adjustment plan for its operating model and in search of more profitability and efficiency.[1]
History[]
The peculiarity of Avianca Holdings' new strategy is that flights are not routed through an airline hub, but from point-to-point.[2] In return, Avianca is gradually withdrawing from the regional centers and intends to serve only important national and international destinations in the future.[3]
Flight operations will be carried out exclusively on a fleet of ATR 72-600s, a twin-engine turboprop, short-haul cargo and passenger regional airliner. This type of aircraft fits with regional airports with shorter runways and a more limited aviation infrastructure.
Avianca Holdings received Aerocivil's air traffic approval for the Colombian regional market in February 2018.[4]
From March 1, 2019, Regional Express Américas embarked on regional routes from Bogotá to cities such as Manizales, Florencia, Villavicencio, Yopal, Neiva, Ibagué, and Popayán; and also from Cali to Pasto and Tumaco. Since August 2019 it also flies between Bucaramanga and Cartagena.
The airline, previously known under its working title Regional Express Américas, received its final name Avianca Express in mid-February 2020.
On March 30, 2020, Avianca Express started operating at Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín, which Avianca had not served in 20 years, with connections to Quibdó, Montería and Bucaramanga. Apart from this, a new flight plan came into force, which included improvements to connections to and from Bogotá, and also a new connection to Barrancabermeja.
Destinations[]
As of March 2020, the following destinations are served by Regional Express:
Fleet[]
Avianca Express operates an all-ATR fleet. As of October 2020 the airline's fleet consists of the following aircraft:[5][6]
| Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Y | Total | ||||
| ATR 72-600 | 8 | — | — | 68 | 68 | |
| Total | 8 | — | ||||
Accidents and incidents[]
- On September 7, 2019, an ATR 72-600 (registered HK-5041) suffered a tailstrike on landing at La Nubia Airport. The aircraft landed and rolled out normally to its parking position.[7] All 49 passengers and 5 crew members survived.
See also[]
- List of airlines
- List of airlines of the Americas
- List of airlines of Colombia
References[]
- ^ En marzo, Avianca Holdings estrena su aerolínea regional eltiempo.com, retrieved 28 April 2019 (spanisch)
- ^ Las rutas que cubrirá Regional Express Américas, la nueva aerolínea de Avianca lafm.com.co, retrieved 28 April 2019 (spanisch)
- ^ Regional Express Américas volará desde el próximo mes en Manizales lapatria.com, retrieved 28 April 2019 (spanisch)
- ^ Colombia's Regional Express Americas commences ops ch-aviation.com, retrieved 28 April 2019
- ^ "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 12.
- ^ "Avianca Express Fleet Details". Planespotters.net. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) HK-5041". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
External links[]
Media related to Avianca Express at Wikimedia Commons
- Airlines of Colombia
- Airlines established in 2018