Avianca Express

Avianca Express (legally Regional Express Américas S.A.S.) is a Colombian regional airline founded in December 2018. It is owned by Avianca Group 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]

Avianca Express
IATA ICAO Callsign
EX AVR AVAEXPRESS
FoundedDecember 2018
Commenced operationsMarch 1, 2019
Hubs
Frequent-flyer programLifeMiles
AllianceStar Alliance (affiliate)
Fleet size5
Destinations15
Parent companyAvianca Group
HeadquartersBogotá, Colombia
Key peopleSantiago Diago (CEO)
Websitewww.avianca.com/co/en/

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
Avianca Express ATR 72-600

As of March 2020, the following destinations are served by Regional Express:

Country City Airport Notes Refs
ColombiaBogotáEl Dorado International AirportHub
ArmeniaEl Edén International Airport
BucaramangaPalonegro International AirportHub
CartagenaRafael Núñez International Airport
CúcutaCamilo Daza International Airport
FlorenciaGustavo Artunduaga Paredes Airport
IbaguéPerales Airport
ManizalesLa Nubia Airport
MedellínMedellín–Olaya Herrera
NeivaBenito Salas Airport
PopayánGuillermo León Valencia Airport
Santa MartaSimón Bolívar International Airport
TumacoLa Florida Airport
VillavicencioLa Vanguardia Airport
YopalEl Alcaraván Airport

Fleet

Avianca Express operates an all-ATR fleet. As of February 2022 the airline's fleet consists of the following aircraft:[5][6]

Avianca Express fleet
Aircraft In
service		 Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
ATR 72-600 5 — — 68 68
Total 5 —

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

References
  1. En marzo, Avianca Holdings estrena su aerolínea regional eltiempo.com, retrieved 28 April 2019 (spanisch)
  2. Las rutas que cubrirá Regional Express Américas, la nueva aerolínea de Avianca lafm.com.co, retrieved 28 April 2019 (spanisch)
  3. Regional Express Américas volará desde el próximo mes en Manizales lapatria.com, retrieved 28 April 2019 (spanisch)
  4. Colombia's Regional Express Americas commences ops ch-aviation.com, retrieved 28 April 2019
  5. "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 12.
  6. "Avianca Express Fleet Details". Planespotters.net. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  7. "ASN Aircraft accident ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) HK-5041". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved September 7, 2019.

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