Tag Archives: Colombia

Avianca Group reports a net profit of $13 million in the first quarter

Avianca Group International Limited affiliated passenger airlines (“AGIL”, “the Group” or “the Company”) reported its first quarter 2024 results. Avianca’s capacity increased by 26.1% year-over-year, with a robust load factor of 81.4%, 1.2 percentage points higher than first quarter 2023, and a 37.5% increase in transported passengers, reaching 9.3 million.

The Company posted $272 million in EBITDAR at a 21.5% margin during first quarter 2024, 16.3% ahead of the same period in 2023. For the period, Net Income was $13 million.

“We remain committed to transporting our customers to more destinations in an affordable way,” said Frederico Pedreira, Avianca’s Chief Executive Officer. “In the first quarter, we introduced a new, more simplified and flexible fare scheme that allows our customers to fly according to their needs, and we continued to expand our network and improve our connectivity with the launch of new routes, including the reopening of Bogota-Paris, after 20 years, as well as Bogota-Montreal. We achieved this while delivering solid operating results, demonstrating our commitment to transporting our clients safely, on time and with their baggage. For all the achievements, I would like to thank our team for their commitment and the outstanding work they continue to do”.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

Consolidated capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), reached 15,135 million in the first quarter of 2024; a 26.1% increase relative to first quarter 2023. The Group transported 9.3 million passengers during the period, representing a 37.5% increase over the same period in 2023.
Total operating revenues in the first quarter of 2024 reached $1,265 million; a 16.4% increase over the same period in 2023, while total operating expenses were $1,131 million, a 15.2% increase over the same period in 2023, in spite of a 26.1% capacity increase.
EBITDAR was $272 million in the first quarter of 2024, at a 21.5% margin, while Net Income for the period was $13 million.
Our cash balance was $971 million at March 31, 2024.
Passenger revenues were $1,013 million for the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a 22.2% increase relative to first quarter 2023. This increase is a result of the Company’s continued efforts to make flying more accessible to a broader range of passengers.
Cargo, Loyalty and other revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were $252 million. Quarterly LifeMiles Cash EBITDA increased 15.3% relative to first quarter 2023, reaching $36 million. Cargo revenues during the period were $152 million, an 8.3% decrease relative to first quarter 2023 due to continued market softening and industry freighter capacity remaining above prepandemic levels. However, Cargo revenues were ahead of Business Plan.
Net Debt to last-twelve-month EBITDAR was 3.2x.
Passenger Costs per Available Seat Kilometer excluding fuel (PAX CASK ex-fuel) in the first quarter of 2024 was $4.1 cents.
We ended the first quarter of 2024 with an operating passenger fleet comprised of 141 aircraft: 128 Airbus 320 family aircraft, and 13 Boeing 787s.
Avianca reintroduced Business Class service on the Narrowbody operation from Bogota to 11 destinations in the Americas: Chile, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Río de Janeiro, Miami, Washington, New York, Boston, Toronto, and Mexico City. The service will be available starting July 1st.
Avianca resumed the Bogota-Caracas route, and announced 5 new routes from Medellin to Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Lima; and from Bogota to Montreal, and Paris. In the first quarter of 2024, our network consisted of 150 routes connecting 76 destinations.
Avianca’s first reconfigured B787 started operations the third week of April, with number of seats increased from 250 to 291. offering 16.4% additional cabin capacity. We are on track to complete the reconfiguration of our remaining 12 widebody aircraft this year.
Avianca Cargo continued to lead the flower market from Colombia to the US during Valentine’s season, transporting ∼18,000 tons of flowers in over 300 cargo flights from Colombia and Ecuador, while further strengthening its competitive position within the region.
Also, Avianca Cargo won the ESG Award during the Aviation Achievement Awards 2024, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
LifeMiles announced new policies that make it easier for customers to qualify for Elite status.

Avianca (Colombia) aircraft photo gallery:

Avianca Airlines renews its ‘Business Class’ experience in Europe and the Americas

Avianca Airlines presents new features in its Business Class product, both in twin-aisle aircraft (Boeing 787) and single-aisle aircraft (A320 family).

Moving forward, the Executive Cabin of the double-seat aircraft will be known as Avianca Insignia, which operates routes to and from Europe.

Those traveling in this cabin will be able to enjoy flatbed chairs, which recline completely, as well as a welcome drink, menu with starter, breakfast, lunch or dinner options with dessert, unlimited snacks and a selection of spirits, hot and cold drinks.

In addition, passengers have comfort elements at their disposal such as a blanket, mattress pad and an amenity kit with collectible cases designed by Mola Sasa in collaboration with the Gunadule indigenous community, made from recycled PET bottle fabric, a proposal that promotes sustainability and inclusion, as well as the formulations of Loto del Sur, a beauty brand that celebrates and captures the richness of Colombian culture, elevating the onboard experience.

“Avianca Insignia represents the consolidation of a superior experience in our Boeing 787, one of the most modern aircraft in the world,” said Manuel Ambriz, Avianca’s chief commercial officer. “And these Bogotá to Europe flights also feature a unique design, gastronomy and wellness selection representing the best of Colombia: a menu by chef Álvaro Clavijo—one of the top 35 in the world—and a leading brand amenity kit.”

A Renewed Business Class for Flying on Single-Aisle Aircraft:

Additionally, starting July 1, a new version of the Business Class experience will be available in the first three rows of single-aisle airplanes on flights from Bogotá to Santiago de Chile, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Washington, New York, Boston, Toronto and Mexico City.

This offering includes a main meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner), drinks, a snack service and comfort elements (blanket, pillow and amenity kit).

Added Ambriz: “We are thrilled to have renewed the ‘Business Class’ experience on flights to the Americas’ main capitals,, thereby offering our customers multiple options on how they want to fly.”

Avianca (Colombia) aircraft photo gallery:

Teamsters: A number of LAN Airlines flights could be affected today

LAN Airlines (Chile) (Santiago) and its associated carriers in Latin America could be affected today (March 25) by “a series of actions” by its unions.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) has issued this statement:

A number of flights of South American LAN Airlines could be affected. The unions of LAN Airlines will begin a series of actions on Wednesday, March 25 in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Miami. To date the company has not responded to the union’s demands to improve working conditions. LAN Airlines workers are responsible for passenger safety, airplane maintenance, and customer connections in airports.

“National and international passengers could be subject to extensive delays and cancellations. Chile, Colombia and Ecuador are important hubs for the airline”. So reads the leaflets to be distributed to passengers visiting airports “Arturo Merino Benitez” (Santiago, Chile) and “El Dorado” (Bogotá, Colombia). In Ecuador, the leaflets will be distributed at “Mariscal Sucre” in Quito, and “Olmedo” in Guayaquil.

The conflict of the workers of LAN Airlines has gained support from many of the large transport unions in the United States. Teamsters Local 769 of Miami, other transport unions, and the community organization South Florida Voices for Working Families will be joining others in handing out information at the 2015 Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida. LAN Airlines is an official sponsor of the event. Leaflets will alert the public about the conditions of the LAN Airlines workers and the potential delays that could affect those attending the tennis tournament.

Chile, Colombia and Ecuador are important connecting hubs to flights throughout Latin America according to Luis Chavez, President of the LAN Express union in Chile. “These difficulties are preventable and predictable. The problems are cascading due to LAN Airlines refusal to provide fair conditions for their workers.”

Workers will be asking passengers and cargo users throughout the region to call the company’s toll free numbers to find out the latest information about the possible delays and cancellations. Passengers may also want to suggest that the company be responsible and provide fair conditions for workers at the airline.

The LAN Airline unions involved are members of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) representing more than 4.5 million transport workers from 150 countries around the world. The company, the LATAM Airline Group, includes both Chilean LAN Airlines and Brazilian TAM Airlines and is the largest airline company in Latin America.

Possible Strike in LAN Express Chile

On Wednesday March 25, a general assembly of the Union of LAN Express will take place at the Santiago airport. Leaders of unions throughout Latin America and Chile will attend the meeting. The General Assembly could affect the operations of all of the country’s airports and international connections.

On Monday March 30 and Tuesday March 31 the workers of LAN Express union will vote on whether to strike.

The Chilean workers are seeking both improvements in their own working conditions and also the reinstatement of the leader of the LAN Ecuador union, Jimena Lopez.

Conflict in Ecuador

Since October 2014 demonstrations and protests have erupted throughout the region because LAN Ecuador unjustly dismissed the founder, flight attendant and general secretary of the first aviation union in Ecuador, Jimena Lopez.

LAN Ecuador refuses to reinstate her, even though Carlos Marx Carrasco, Minister of Labour and the President Rafael Correa government have called the company’s actions unconstitutional and counter to Ecuadorian labour law and international labour standards.

Conflict in Colombia

In Colombia the company is laying off experienced mechanics and cargo workers. The union is taking action. Passengers in Colombia will also be warned about potential delays in their flights.

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-31B ER CC-CXL (msn 26265) touches down at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

LAN Airlines (Chile) aircraft slide show:

Avianca brings the Boeing 787 to Sao Paulo, outlines its upcoming 787 routes

Avianca (Colombia) (Bogota) landed for the first time in Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo on February 11 at 6:50 am. Coming from Bogota, Colombia, the aircraft is one of two that will make four daily flights between the two cities.

Avianca recently received four Boeing 787s, a total of 15 to be delivered over the next three years. The four new aircraft will serve routes that include, in addition to São Paulo and Bogota, Buenos Aires, New York, Santiago (Chile), Mexico, and, from June, Madrid, Barcelona and London (Heathrow).

Avianca aircraft slide show:

American announces six new routes to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will add six new routes throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, further strengthening its position in these key markets. New service to Barranquilla, Colombia (BAQ), will add a new destination to the airline’s global network and customers will have increased options when traveling throughout the region. Expanded service includes new flights to Belize City, Belize (BZE); Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (GCM); Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL); Managua, Nicaragua (MGA); and Monterrey, Mexico (MTY).

The new routes:

American is taking delivery of more than 100 new aircraft this year, giving it the youngest fleet of any U.S.-based network carrier. Orders include the Airbus A320 and A320neo family, A350-900s, Boeing 737 MAX, 777-300ERs and 787s, which will make American’s fleet even younger, more modern and fuel efficient.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Airlines

JetBlue Airways today adds four new routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

JetBlue Airways (New York) today (October 29) expands its destination offerings at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with the addition of four new routes. The new flights include daily service to Cartagena, Colombia; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; as well as a twice daily service to Jacksonville, Florida.

By 2017, JetBlue plans to offer 100 daily flights out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood to meet increasing customer demand. In May of this year, JetBlue added flights from FLL to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

JetBlue currently offers up to 75 daily flights to 33 destinations from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N590JB (msn 2231) in the 2004 Plaid tail motif and smaller titles departs from FLL.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue announces two more routes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood

JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced two new nonstop routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) and Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS). Both flights will begin on October 29, 2014, the same day the airline will also launch its new nonstop service to Pittsburgh.

These three upcoming routes are in addition to the six international routes already launched within the last year from JetBlue’s South Florida focus city. New international destinations include San Jose, Costa Rica; Lima, Peru; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N510JB (msn 1280) approaches the runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in the old Dots tail design and smaller aircraft titles.

JetBlue Airways:

Avianca to start nonstop Cartagena-New York service on July 17

Avianca (Colombia) (Bogota) will launch a new route from Cartagena nonstop to New York (JFK) on July 17. The new route will be operated three days a week with Airbus A319s per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A3219-132 N690AV (msn 5944) with Sharklets departs from Tenerife (Sur) on its delivery flight.

Avianca (Colombia):