Avianca expects to add two new European destinations in the coming months, as it sees strong demand in its international network.
The airline, which had previously expressed interest in serving Frankfurt and Munich, is also considering Paris and Rome, Avianca chief executive Hernan Rincon tells FlightGlobal.
Avianca currently serves London Heathrow, Madrid and Barcelona. Rincon expects the fourth European destination to be added later this year, and the fifth in early 2018.
Flying to Frankfurt and Munich will give Avianca access to the hubs of Star Alliance partner Lufthansa, although Rincon points out that Lufthansa already flies nonstop between Frankfurt and Bogota.
"The route that is much more appealing is Munich to Bogota," he says.
No airline flies nonstop to Bogota from either Munich or Rome, FlightGlobal schedules data show. Air France operates between Bogota and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Avianca's Europe routes were the strongest performer across its network in the second quarter, posting a load factor of 85.5%.
The airline also saw strength in its flights to North America and to other South American countries where it does not have a domestic presence.
Later this year, Avianca will grow on international flights within South America. It will launch nonstop service between Lima and Cordoba in November, and is awaiting Bolivian regulatory approval to begin flights between Bogota and Santa Cruz in October, says Rincon.
LATAM Airlines Group operates between Lima and Cordoba, FlightGlobal schedules data show. No airline flies between Bogota and Santa Cruz.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
