Avianca hosts 100th anniversary celebration at MIA

(Miami, December 9, 2019) -- Officials from Miami International Airport and Colombian flagship airline Avianca, the world’s longest continuously flying airline, commemorated the airline’s 100^th anniversary with a gate celebration for departing passengers. The festivities began with Avianca flight 64, operated with an Airbus A320 painted with a vintage 1920s livery, arriving to a water cannon salute by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue fire trucks. Avianca began flying at MIA in 1946 – only 27 years after it came into existence on December 5, 1919.

After the presentation of a Miami-Dade County proclamation by Board of County Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa, a ceremonial seat-unbuckling, speeches by officials from Avianca, the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce, Consul General for Colombia in Miami Pedro Agustin Valencia Laserna, and MIA Director and CEO Lester Sola, passengers were treated to Colombian refreshments and entertainment by a live band.

"One year after we celebrated MIA’s 90^th anniversary, we are proud to now help Avianca celebrate its 100^th year of service,” said Sola. “Avianca has grown from one weekly flight at MIA in 1946 to 80 weekly flights now, to become a leading contributor for tourism and trade in Miami-Dade County. MIA would not be the global hub that it is today without Avianca’s long-time service and commitment to the Miami market.”

Avianca has grown to become MIA’s sixth-busiest passenger carrier, transporting more than one million travelers between Latin America and Miami annually. It has also helped make Colombia MIA’s second-busiest market for international passengers and busiest overall for freight. MIA continues to be Avianca’s top gateway in North America, where it provides non-stop flights to San Salvador, San Pedro Sula, Managua, Medellin, Cali, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Bogota and Lima.

“We are very excited to celebrate our 100^th anniversary this year and we are honored to be joined by Miami International Airport in this celebration,” said Rolando Damas, Avianca Managing Director for North America & Asia. “As Avianca, we have adapted to the market needs throughout these 100 years of operation, and we always look forward to surprising our passengers with the best service possible. For the next centenary, we aim to remain as one of the most preferred airlines in the Americas.”