Avianca Airlines launches at Oakland International Airport

Oakland, Calif. – December 12, 2023: Last night, Star Alliance carrier Avianca Airlines launched its inaugural service at Oakland International Airport (OAK). A ribbon cutting celebration for the new carrier was held at the gate ahead of the first departure to San Salvador, where passengers were treated with complimentary cookies. 

Click here to view and download photos from the inaugural event.

Seasonal nonstop flights to San Salvador (SAL) will operate through January 29th, 2024. Flights will be served by Avianca’s fleet of Airbus A320 NEOs, seating 180 passengers and featuring a range of à la carte seating and service options from which travelers can choose. The service will increase accessibility and convenience for passengers traveling between the San Francisco Bay Area and El Salvador. Seats are available for purchase at Avianca.com. 

The flights follow the schedule below: 

• Depart OAK 11:00 PM - Arrive SAL 6:30 AM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) 
• Depart SAL 5:45 PM - Arrive OAK 9:50 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) 

“Oakland International Airport welcomes Avianca Airlines to the East Bay!” said Craig Simon, Interim Director of Aviation for the Port of Oakland. “This new seasonal international service for the holidays makes it more convenient than ever to fly between the Bay Area and El Salvador. We are especially pleased that this flight will allow affordable options for those traveling to visit friends or relatives during the holidays and into the new year.” 

Founded in 1919 as the flag carrier for Columbia, Avianca S.A. is a Spanish acronym for Aerovias del Continente Americano S.A., or "Airways of the American Continent." It is the oldest carrier in the Americas and is the second largest carrier in the Latin American region where it flies to more destinations than any other carrier. Its global headquarters are in Bogota, Colombia and its main hubs are at Bogota and San Salvador. Besides strengthening connectivity for the Latin community, Avianca also seeks to boost tourism to the Central American region. 

Travelers can book their tickets now at Avianca.com.  

About Avianca Group

AVIANCA includes Avianca - a Star Alliance member - LifeMiles and Avianca Cargo. In passenger transportation, Avianca, with more than 103 years of continuous operation since 1919, is the leading airline in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America and has one of the largest air operations in Latin America with over 140 routes, 2,000 weekly frequencies and a fleet of more than 120 Airbus 320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, connecting to more than 70 destinations in 24 countries in the Americas and Europe. In 2022, Avianca transported 24.6 million customers with the operation of more than 187,000 flights. Its loyalty program, LifeMiles, is one of the largest in Latin America with more than 12.4 million members and 500 brand partners. In cargo transportation, Avianca Cargo is a leader in the region and is the main operator in different markets in the Americas. It serves more than 50 destinations with a fleet of Airbus 330 freighters, in addition to the operation in bellies of passenger aircraft. In 2022, Avianca Cargo transported more than 450,000 tons of cargo. Today, Avianca has a team of more than 13,000 people committed to providing safe, convenient, affordable and friendly service to its customers. More information at www.avianca.com.

Media Contact:  

Elena Polío - [email protected]  

+503 78705226 

About Oakland International Airport 

Oakland International is the main airport for the greater East Bay, the most populated area in the metropolitan San Francisco Bay area. It is the closest airport to most Bay Area employers. By roadway and BART air-rail, OAK enables excellent access to all of the region’s business, entertainment and tourism venues. The vision of Oakland International Airport is to be the airport of choice for San Francisco Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by the Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of East Bay waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 98,000 jobs in the region with more than a $174 billion economic impact. 

Updates about current departure and arrival information, airport maps, and details about on-airport parking, shopping and dining and more, can be found at www.oaklandairport.com.

Contact - Members of the Press and Media Only
Kaley Skantz - Airport Spokesperson, [email protected]

Click Here to Access OAK's Media On-Site Request Form 

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