Avianca – TACA Group has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to unify its entire operation under the AV code in 2013.
The application reads:
“TACA International Airlines, S.A. (TACA), Trans American Airlines, S.A. d/b/a TACA Peru (TACA Peru), Lineas Aereas Costarricenses S.A. (LACSA), and Aviateca S.A. (Aviateca) (together, the “TACA Group”) along with Aerovias Del Continente Arnericano S.A. (Avianca) hereby request an exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 40109 permitting them to register a joint trade name under 14 C.P.R. Part 215 for their collective use of the trade name “Avianca” and use of the designator code “AV” for their services in foreign air transportation to and from the United States. Additionally, the TACA Group requests blanket statements of authorization pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 212 in order to display the “AV*” designator code as more fully described herein. The Joint Applicants plan to use the trade name “Avianca” and the “AV” designator code in their combined marketing and sale of services to and from the United States, starting in the first quarter of 2013
Since 2005, TACA, TACA Peru, LACSA, and Aviateca have been authorized to operateunder the common “TACA” trade name and “TA” designator code.’ In 2010, the Joint Applicants came under the common ownership of a single parent company. As such, the Joint Applicants now seek to maximize the marketing potential of their common ownership with a new trade name and designator code that represents the combined strength of the Joint Applicants throughout the Americas.
LACSA holds exemption authority to operate under the common “TACA” trade name and ‘TA” designator code, it has continued to hold out and operate service under its own “LR” designator code. LACSA will, however, complete the necessary technological changes necessary to exclusively use the “Avianca” trade name and “AV” designator code.”
With this application approval, it is expected the TACA name, code and brand will be retired in 2013.
Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen. TACA Regional’s ATR 42-300 TG-RYM (msn 109), operating under the Aviateca code, departs from the challenging Toncontín International Airport in downtown Tegucigalpa in Honduras. The TACA Regional name and brand will also be retired under this plan.
TACA: 