Colombia Joins El Salvador, Mexico, and Brazil in 2026 in the List of New Routes Effectuated by Avianca

Published on December 24, 2025

Avianca, one of Latin America’s oldest airlines, spent 2025 in full expansion mode. By late 2025 the company unveiled several long‑awaited intercontinental routes and reinforced domestic connectivity across its network. These initiatives weren’t purely commercial; they were closely coordinated with governments and airports to enhance regional development and prepare for major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and COP30. As the calendar turns to 2026, travelers will benefit from new nonstop services launched by Avianca as well as improved premium experiences on dozens of existing routes. This article summarises the airline’s confirmed new flight launches for 2026 and highlights recently inaugurated routes in 2025 that will be fully operational throughout 2026. All information comes from official government releases, airport statements, or Avianca’s own announcements.

San Salvador – Madrid: New Trans‑Atlantic Service Begins in June 2026

The headline addition to Avianca’s network in 2026 is a direct link between San Salvador and Madrid. According to Avianca’s official “New flights” page, the carrier will inaugurate its non‑stop service from El Salvador’s capital to Spain in June 2026. Flights will operate four times per week—on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays—using Airbus aircraft configured for long‑haul service[1]. The return sector from Madrid to San Salvador runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the same seasonal window[1]. This new link provides Central American travellers with a direct connection to Europe without transiting through Bogotá or Lima, while Spanish passengers gain access to Avianca’s hub at San Salvador for connections to destinations across North and South America.

The seasonal operation is timed for the northern‑hemisphere summer, which is traditionally the busiest period for trans‑Atlantic travel. By offering four weekly frequencies, Avianca caters to leisure travellers visiting family or holidaying abroad and business passengers connecting Spain’s economic hub with Central America. The schedule—two daytime departures and two overnight flights in each direction—will provide flexible options for travellers. A high‑density twin‑aisle aircraft will likely be deployed, as the Salvadoran market previously supported wide‑body service to Madrid before the pandemic. The launch demonstrates that Avianca sees long‑haul opportunities from its Central American hub and underscores cooperation with El Salvador’s aviation authorities, who have been keen to restore direct links to Europe.

Bogotá – Belém: New Gateway to the Brazilian Amazon

Although it started in October 2025, Avianca’s route between Bogotá (Colombia) and Belém (Brazil) will be a brand‑new option for travellers in 2026. The agreement between Avianca and the government of Pará—announced in July 2025—committed to launch the Belém–Bogotá route with three weekly flights[2]. The service began on 27 October 2025 using Airbus A320 aircraft and will continue throughout 2026[3]. Flights depart Belém on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and return from Bogotá on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays[3]. With a capacity of approximately 180 passengers per flight and more than a thousand seats per week, the route provides the first direct link between northern Brazil and Colombia.

Government officials have underscored the route’s strategic importance. Pará’s governor Helder Barbalho noted that the flight positions Belém as an international hub for the Amazon region[2], while the head of Brazil’s tourism promotion agency Embratur hailed the connection as a sustainable way to boost tourism ahead of the COP30 climate summit scheduled to take place in Belém in November 2026. For Avianca, the flight opens a new gateway to the Amazon and allows passengers from northern Brazil to connect via Bogotá to more than 80 destinations across the Americas and Europe. The continuation of this route into 2026 means travellers can expect consistent service in the lead‑up to major events and improved links between two rapidly growing economies.

Bogotá – Monterrey: Mexico’s Industrial Hub Gains a New Link

Another 2025 launch that features prominently in 2026 is the Bogotá–Monterrey route. Avianca introduced this four‑weekly service on 26 October 2025, operating Airbus A320 aircraft with seating for approximately 180 passengers[4]. The route offers departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Bogotá and returns in the afternoon from Monterrey, providing over 1,400 seats per week[4]. This new link strengthens Avianca’s presence in northern Mexico and complements the airline’s existing flights to Mexico City and Cancún.

Officials from Nuevo León, the Mexican state where Monterrey is located, emphasised how the route supports tourism and business and enhances the region’s international profile ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some matches of which will be held in Monterrey. OMA, the operator of Monterrey International Airport, applauded the partnership, noting that strategic investments like this prepare the region for high‑profile events[5]. By continuing the route into 2026, Avianca helps connect Monterrey’s manufacturing and technology industries directly with Colombia and, via Bogotá, with the rest of its extensive network. Passengers can now travel between the two cities without a layover in Mexico City or Panama, saving time and opening new trade opportunities.

Tampa – Bogotá: Florida’s First Nonstop Link to Colombia

Avianca inaugurated its first nonstop flight between Tampa International Airport and Bogotá on 30 March 2025, and the route will remain in place for 2026. The launch was celebrated by Tampa airport officials who highlighted that it was the first direct service from Tampa to South America[6]. Operating four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the Airbus A320 service departs Tampa in the afternoon and arrives in Bogotá in the evening, with return flights in the morning[6].

Tampa International Airport’s CEO Joe Lopano remarked that this connection expands Florida’s global reach and gives travellers easy access to Avianca’s network across Latin America[6]. For Avianca, Tampa is the fourth city in Florida served by the airline, underscoring the importance of the U.S. market. The route continues into 2026, offering U.S. passengers direct access to Colombia’s capital and onward connections to destinations such as Medellín, Quito and Lima. Meanwhile, Colombian travellers gain direct flights to the Gulf Coast of Florida, supporting tourism and family visits.

Additional New Routes from 2025 Operational in 2026

Avianca’s new‑flights page lists several more routes launched in 2025 that will be available throughout 2026. These include the Bogotá–Dallas route launched in May 2025, which operates four times weekly and expands Avianca’s footprint in the U.S. Midwest; the Cordoba–Bogotá connection starting June 2025, linking Colombia with Argentina’s second‑largest city; and new short‑haul routes such as San Jose (Costa Rica)–Managua, San Juan (Puerto Rico)–San Jose, and Chicago–San Salvador, which were introduced between April and June 2025 and continue into 2026. For South American passengers, the Guayaquil–Miami route launched in October 2025 provides daily non‑stop service to Florida.

While these services began in 2025, they are significant for 2026 because they expand the airline’s network into secondary U.S. and Latin American markets. By maintaining these routes, Avianca offers travellers more point‑to‑point options, reduces the need for connections in larger hubs, and supports economic ties between the Americas. Collectively, they showcase Avianca’s strategy of targeting city pairs with growing demand and limited nonstop competition.

Business Class Américas Expansion: Enhanced Service on 47 Domestic Routes

Though not a new flight, Avianca’s most notable 2026 product enhancement is the introduction of Business Class Américas on nearly all of its domestic routes. On its official website, Avianca announced that from 15 January 2026, business‑class cabins will be available on 47 domestic routes in Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala[7]. Previously, many domestic flights were offered only in single‑class configuration. The new premium service includes dedicated check‑in, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and onboard meals[8].

In addition to domestic upgrades, Avianca will extend its business‑class offering to 18 more international routes, complementing the long‑haul premium service already available to Europe and North America[8]. The airline has also committed to rolling out high‑speed “On Air Wi‑Fi” across its Airbus fleet and refurbishing its lounges, promising a consistently premium experience. For business travellers and passengers seeking extra comfort, these improvements make the 2026 network more attractive and competitive, especially when combined with the new nonstop flights described above.

Conclusion

Avianca enters 2026 with a bolstered route map and enhanced passenger experience. The San Salvador–Madrid link, scheduled for June 2026, marks the airline’s return to direct trans‑Atlantic flights from Central America and fills a long‑standing gap in the region’s connectivity. New routes launched in late 2025—such as Bogotá–Belém, Bogotá–Monterrey and Tampa–Bogotá—will operate continuously through 2026, offering travellers fresh options to explore the Americas and positioning host cities for global events like COP30 and the 2026 World Cup. Additional connections to Dallas, Cordoba, Guayaquil and other regional destinations, though inaugurated in 2025, underscore Avianca’s commitment to building a robust and diversified network. Coupled with the rollout of Business Class Américas on dozens of domestic and international flights, these developments signal that Avianca is not only expanding geographically but also elevating its service offering. The result for passengers in 2026 is a carrier that is more global, more comfortable and more committed than ever to connecting communities across continents.

Reference List

• Government of Pará – “Pará e Avianca firmam compromisso para nova rota internacional Belém‑Bogotá” (2025). Official press release about the launch of the Belém‑Bogotá route, detailing the start date and strategic significance[2].
• North of Brazil Airports (NOA) – Announcement on direct flights from Belém to Bogotá (2025). Airport news release specifying flight schedules and frequencies for the Belém–Bogotá route[3].
• Avianca – Corporate news: “Avianca begins operating two new routes connecting Bogotá to Monterrey and Belém” (October 28 2025). Official announcement highlighting the launch dates, frequencies and aircraft used on the Bogotá–Monterrey and Bogotá–Belém routes[4].
• OMA (Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte) – Press release on the Monterrey–Bogotá route (August 5 2025). Statement from airport officials noting that the new route supports regional connectivity and preparations for the 2026 World Cup[5].
• Tampa International Airport – Press release on the Tampa–Bogotá nonstop service (March 31 2025). Official announcement describing the schedule, significance and first nonstop link to South America[6].
• Avianca – New flights page (2025). Official list of new routes, including the San Salvador–Madrid service commencing in June 2026, with operating days and seasonal nature[1].
• Avianca – Business Class Américas launch announcement (December 2025). Press release outlining the introduction of business class on domestic routes from January 15 2026 and expansion to additional international routes[7][8].