Avianca Airlines to restart operations in North America from September 19

• The airline will fly from San Salvador to Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, and New York.
• The resumption of operations to other markets will be gradual and in line with the demand and regulations defined by the rest of the countries in the continent.
• Avianca is implementing the Avianca BioCare program that includes strict biosafety protocols to guarantee a safer flight for its passengers, which have been endorsed by the authorities in Colombia and El Salvador.

Bogota, September 17, 2020
After more than six months without operations due to the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Avianca Airlines announced the gradual restart of its flights to North America from San Salvador as of September 19. The airline plans to initially reach Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, and San Francisco, five of the most popular destinations in North America, in Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, with capacity for 120 and 150 passengers, respectively.

“We are very happy to be back in the region. Our mission for 100 years has been to connect families, dreams, and businesses. This is another step in the revival of the region's economy and tourism. Our return will be done under the strictest biosecurity protocols, which have already been endorsed by the authorities in Colombia and El Salvador, allowing us to give our passengers the confidence that they will have a safer trip. We hope to continue progressively resuming our operation not only with Central America but also with South America," said Rolando Damas, Managing Director of Avianca for North America.

The following is the itinerary with which the airline will begin its flights:

An operation under the strictest protocols

Since before the pandemic, Avianca Airlines has worked in biosecurity protocols with the highest standards to give the passenger the confidence to fly again. These protocols were reinforced during the last months and successfully implemented in more than 330 special flights in which more than 34,380 people were transported. In that sense, the airline reminds its customers of the importance of following these recommendations:

• Use the digital tools (attention channels, purchase, web check-in, etc.), to minimize the direct contact with other people, long lines, and crowds.
• Respect the social distance in boarding lounges and during the lines to board the plane.
• Use the mask during the whole experience: from leaving home, at the airport, on the plane, and until the arrival at your destination.
• Arrive 3 hours before international flights, since security and distance measures will increase entry times to the airport, lounges and planes.
• Constantly wash your hands, carry and use anti-bacterial products.

Avianca also said that an airplane is one of the safest spaces in which a person can be, since it acts in a very similar way to a surgical room by having filters that ensure air circulation.  These filters capture 99.97% of airborne microbes. In addition, the cabin air system delivers approximately 50% outside air and 50% filtered and recirculated air, which means that the air supplied is essentially sterile.

Learn more about Avianca BIOCare here.

Press contact:
Olga Clemencia Jiménez
olga.jimenez@avianca.com
Communications Coordinator – North America and Europe
+57 3002077721