Colombian airline Avianca has transported more than 110,000 cargo tons, to contribute to the region’s supply and also has operated 138 repatriation flights.
On May 11, Avianca and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The Latin American carrier said that the filing was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw Avianca’s scheduled passenger operations grounded since mid-March, reducing its consolidated revenue by over 80% and “placing significant pressure on its cash reserves”.
The carrier has maintained its flight schedule since filing for Chapter 11. In addition to regular services, the company’s cargo operation has transported medical supplies, personal care products and food, making an average of 265 flights per week.
In the past Mother’s Day season, the company transported 12,311 tons of flowers, in the middle of a market facing a supply contraction.
Julian Laverde, Vice President of Network Operations at Avianca Holdings, said: “Committed to Latin America and responding to the crisis in which we find ourselves, Avianca continues to make all necessary efforts to be still operating within the framework of current restrictions.
“In this way, in an articulated work with governments, airports, air traffic authorities, as well as with our clients in the cargo segment, we have adapted our work, even reaching destinations that are not usually part of our passenger’s network or cargo, as is the case of Canada, Italy, Belgium, and even China.”
To May 31st, Avianca Cargo transported 100,493 tons of cargo, including general cargo, medical supplies, personal care products and food. Additionally, the company carried out 396 cargo flights in B787-8 which are normally for passenger, transporting nearly 10,000 tons to 24 destinations, including Shanghai, China, transporting personal care and protection products, required in different countries in South America, such as Colombia, Peru and Chile.
In the midst of a market facing a supply’s contraction, the company has continued to transport flowers and fulfill the commitments agreed with Colombian and Ecuadorian exporters.
In the last mother’s day season, it transported 12,311 tons of flowers, and only during the third week of May it completed an operation of 720 tons of this same product, joining efforts against the deficit that the market presents, as it currently does not have the full capacity of the operation with the lack of passengers.
Deprisa, an Avianca Holdings company, has recently transported to different cities in the country, more than 6,900 tons of urgent shipments, essential products, medicines, biological samples, consumer products marketed through online channels among others.
Moreover, in coordination with the airline, more than 225 tons of basic products, medical supplies and food have been transported to San Andres Island and Leticia in a passenger’s Airbus A320.
