avianca’s latest route, Bogota to Paris, opened on Thursday, as the Colombian airline returned to the French capital after two decades. The new addition marks avianca’s fourth destination in Europe, after Madrid, Barcelona and London.

“20 years after having flown between Bogota and Paris, and thanks to the articulated work with governments, authorities and airports in Colombia and France, we are very proud to once again bring Latin America closer to one of the main destinations in Europe,” Frederico Pedreira, CEO and President of avianca, said before the flight departed Bogota.

The route will initially operate between the hubs three times per week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, before increasing to five weekly frequencies on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

“We are very pleased to welcome back avianca,” Edouard Mathieu, General Manager of Real Estate Development at Aeroports de Paris, stated, as the flight arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

“This route exists because people want to travel between our two countries but also because there is movement of cargo between our nations.

“As the number one European cargo hub, we welcome avianca’s tonnage and Colombia’s goods.

“We stand at your side to make this day an achievement at the beginning of a new journey.”

Utilising the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, Avianca can provide the dual benefit of carrying 250 passengers, promoting tourism, and 1,000 tonnes of weekly cargo in the belly of the aircraft, boosting trade of perishables, pharmaceuticals and general cargo.

“This is a very important moment because of the exchange between Colombia and France, increasing the connection between passengers and the government,” Miguel Gomez Martinez, Colombia’s Ambassador to France, stated. “It is one of the main strategic areas that President Gustavo Petro wanted to increase tourism and trade.”

“It’s inspiring to be able to connect businesses for our clients, to bring better products, connection times, transit times, building new opportunities,” Juan Correa, Vice President of Sales at Avianca Cargo, continued.

“We are linking two regions, the whole of Europe and all of Latin America with this specific route, exporting and importing.

“This specific route is connecting the flower markets and food markets into Europe and luxury goods, perfumes and pharmaceutical industries into Latin America.”