Avianca Cargo
Avianca Cargo is the dedicated air-freight operation of Avianca, transporting flowers and other cargo between Latin America, the United States, and destinations across the Americas.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Avianca Cargo is the cargo airline and freight brand associated with Avianca. Based at José María Córdova International Airport near Medellín, Colombia, it operates dedicated freighter services and provides air-cargo capacity for shipments moving between Latin America, the United States, and other destinations in the Americas. Its historical traffic profile has been strongly associated with the export of flowers from Latin America to Miami, while its broader network has handled general cargo. The business began on March 11, 1973, as Tampa Cargo, formally Transportes Aereos Mercantiles PanAmericanos S.A. It was established by Luís H. Coulson and Captains Juan Fernando Mesa, Orlando Botero Escobar, and Anibal Obando Echeverri. Initial operations used a Douglas DC-6A. Those aircraft were retired during the early 1980s as the company developed its freighter operation. Tampa Cargo experienced operational and commercial difficulties during its early history, including a crisis connected with drug-trafficking problems involving one of its aircraft. In 1988, the carrier began renewing its fleet with Douglas DC-8 freighters equipped with technology that was advanced for the period, including GPS-positioning systems and CFM engines. The transition gave the airline a more capable platform for international freight operations. Martinair entered the company in 1996 by agreeing to acquire a 40 percent stake. Its holding later increased to 58 percent in 2003. That year Tampa Cargo opened a maintenance hangar in Rionegro, Antioquia, and began service to Peru. Fleet modernization continued in September 2004 with the introduction of Boeing 767-200ER freighters. Avianca acquired the remaining 100 percent of Tampa Cargo in July 2008. Following the strategic combination involving Avianca's Synergy Group and Grupo TACA's Kingsland Holding, formally completed in 2010, Tampa Cargo became part of the cargo structure of AviancaTaca Holding. The holding company established a cargo vice presidency responsible for coordinating Tampa Cargo's freighter fleet and for administering cargo capacity associated with Avianca and TACA commercial aircraft. In September 2011, Avianca ordered four Airbus A330-200F aircraft to replace the existing Tampa Cargo fleet. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in December 2012, and the acquisition made Tampa Cargo the first operator of the A330F in Latin America. On May 28, 2013, the airline adopted the Avianca Cargo name, aligning the freighter operation more directly with the Avianca brand. The business was affected by the severe aviation-market disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Avianca filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States on May 10, 2020, after failing to meet bondholder obligations. The filing was described as part of the wider financial crisis affecting major airlines during the pandemic. Avianca Cargo nevertheless remained the group's dedicated freight operation. Its role combines scheduled cargo transportation, Latin American flower logistics, and general-freight services across the Americas.
History
Avianca Cargo traces its history to Tampa Cargo, a Colombian cargo airline founded on March 11, 1973, by Luís H. Coulson and Captains Juan Fernando Mesa, Orlando Botero Escobar, and Anibal Obando Echeverri. The company began with a Douglas DC-6A and later retired that type in the early 1980s. Its development took place against the backdrop of Colombia's difficult aviation and security environment. A crisis involving drug-trafficking problems connected with one aircraft was among the challenges the carrier had to overcome. In 1988, Tampa Cargo started replacing its initial fleet with Douglas DC-8 aircraft. These freighters incorporated GPS-positioning equipment and CFM engines, giving the airline improved long-range capability and more modern operating technology. Martinair became an important strategic investor in 1996, initially acquiring 40 percent of the business and later increasing its interest to 58 percent in 2003. Tampa Cargo expanded its infrastructure and network during the early 2000s. It inaugurated a maintenance hangar in Rionegro, Antioquia, on July 26, 2003, and introduced service to Peru in the same year. In September 2004, the company began another fleet-renewal phase by adding Boeing 767-200ER freighters. Avianca purchased 100 percent of Tampa Cargo in July 2008. The carrier subsequently became integrated into the cargo organization created after the strategic combination of Avianca's Synergy Group and Grupo TACA's Kingsland Holding. The union was formally completed in 2010 under AviancaTaca Holding. A cargo vice presidency was established to oversee Tampa Cargo's freighters and to manage cargo capacity provided by Avianca and TACA's commercial aircraft. A major fleet decision followed in September 2011, when four Airbus A330-200F aircraft were ordered to replace the existing Tampa Cargo freighters. The first deliveries were scheduled for December 2012. The order gave Tampa Cargo a notable position in Latin American aviation because it became the region's first A330F operator. On May 28, 2013, the company was renamed Avianca Cargo, bringing its public identity into line with Avianca. The operation has historically concentrated on air freight between Latin America and Miami, particularly flowers, while also carrying general cargo throughout the Americas. Its location near Medellín and its relationship with Avianca provide a base for serving Colombian and regional export flows. In 2020, the broader Avianca business entered Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States after failing to pay bondholders. The filing occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the collapse in passenger demand and wider aviation disruption placed major airline groups under severe financial pressure. The available reference material does not establish a separate insolvency proceeding for Avianca Cargo itself. The brand continues to represent Avianca's dedicated cargo activity.
- 2020
Avianca enters Chapter 11
[1]Avianca files for Chapter 11 protection in the United States during the COVID-19 aviation crisis.
- 2013
Rebrand to Avianca Cargo
[1]Tampa Cargo adopts the Avianca Cargo name.
- 2011
Four Airbus A330-200F aircraft ordered
[1]The order begins the replacement of the Tampa Cargo freighter fleet and establishes the carrier as the first A330F operator in Latin America.
- 2010
Cargo vice presidency created
[1]Following the Avianca–TACA strategic combination, Tampa Cargo is placed within a centralized cargo structure.
- 2008
Avianca takes full ownership
[1]Avianca acquires the remaining interest in Tampa Cargo and becomes its sole owner.
- 2004
Boeing 767-200ER freighters introduced
[1]The airline begins incorporating Boeing 767-200ER aircraft into its freighter fleet.
- 2003
Maintenance and Peru expansion
[1]Tampa Cargo opens a maintenance hangar in Rionegro and launches service to Peru; Martinair's interest reaches 58 percent.
- 1996
Martinair acquires an initial stake
[1]Martinair agrees to acquire 40 percent of Tampa Cargo.
- 1988
Douglas DC-8 fleet renewal begins
[1]The carrier introduces Douglas DC-8 freighters as part of a modernization program.
- 1973
Tampa Cargo is founded
[1]Tampa Cargo, the predecessor of Avianca Cargo, is established in Colombia and begins operations with a Douglas DC-6A.
Products and positioning
A regional air-freight specialist focused on Latin American exports, especially flowers, and on general cargo connectivity across the Americas under the Avianca brand.
Perishable cargo logistics
Flower air freight
Avianca Cargo has historically been strongly associated with transporting flowers from Latin America to Miami. This traffic is a central part of the carrier's documented market role and reflects the importance of time-sensitive air logistics for regional agricultural exports.
Air freight
General cargo transportation
The carrier provides general air-cargo transportation across the Americas. The service is supported by dedicated freighter aircraft and, within the wider Avianca cargo structure, cargo capacity associated with commercial aircraft.
Freighter airline services · 1973
Dedicated freighter services
Avianca Cargo operates dedicated all-cargo aircraft for scheduled freight movements. Its fleet history includes Douglas DC-6A, DC-8, Boeing 707, Boeing 767-200ER, and Airbus A330-200F freighters, although the reference material does not provide a complete current fleet specification.
Brand decisions
2013
Brand transition to Avianca CargoStrategyBackground
The freighter business had become part of Avianca's integrated cargo organization.
Action taken
Tampa Cargo was renamed Avianca Cargo on May 28, 2013.
Aftermath
The rebrand aligned the cargo operation more closely with Avianca's overall commercial identity.
2011
Order for Airbus A330-200F freightersProduct launchBackground
Avianca planned to replace Tampa Cargo's existing freighter fleet with larger and newer aircraft.
Action taken
Four Airbus A330-200F aircraft were ordered, with deliveries scheduled from December 2012.
Aftermath
Tampa Cargo became the first operator of the A330F in Latin America.
2004
Boeing 767-200ER fleet renewalGeneration changeBackground
Tampa Cargo began another fleet-renewal phase as its older freighters required replacement.
Action taken
The airline incorporated Boeing 767-200ER freighters.
Aftermath
The aircraft expanded the carrier's modern freighter capability.
1988
Modernization with Douglas DC-8 freightersGeneration changeBackground
After early operational and commercial difficulties, Tampa Cargo sought to renew its aircraft fleet.
Action taken
The airline introduced Douglas DC-8 freighters equipped with GPS-positioning systems and CFM engines.
Aftermath
The change provided a more modern platform for international cargo operations.
Recent events
- 2020
Avianca files for Chapter 11 during the COVID-19 crisis[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Avianca filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States after failing to pay bondholders amid the aviation downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2013
Tampa Cargo rebranded as Avianca Cargo[1]
Other
The freighter airline adopted the Avianca Cargo name, consolidating its identity with the Avianca passenger brand.
- 2011
Avianca orders Airbus A330-200F freighters[1]
Product launch
Avianca ordered four A330-200F freighters for Tampa Cargo, with deliveries planned from December 2012.
- 2010
Tampa Cargo becomes part of AviancaTaca's cargo structure[1]
Other
After the strategic union of the Avianca and TACA businesses, Tampa Cargo's freighter fleet and related cargo capacity were placed under a new cargo vice presidency.
- 2008
Avianca acquires Tampa Cargo[1]
M&A
Avianca acquired the remaining 100 percent stake in Tampa Cargo, bringing the freighter carrier fully into the Avianca organization.
- 2007
Tampa Cargo DC-8 landing-gear collapse[1]
Other
A DC-8 freighter's right main landing gear collapsed during approach to Miami. An investigation attributed the failure to improper torque of a landing-gear lockbolt during maintenance; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but the three occupants survived.
- 1996
Martinair takes a stake in Tampa Cargo[1]
M&A
Martinair agreed to acquire a 40 percent interest in Tampa Cargo, later increasing its holding to 58 percent.
- 1994
Tampa Cargo Boeing 707 makes emergency landing in São Paulo[1]
Other
A hydraulic-system problem led a Boeing 707 freighter to return to São Paulo. The aircraft landed with landing-gear difficulties, and no occupants were killed.
- 1989
Tampa Cargo DC-8 returns safely after cargo-door opening[1]
Other
A DC-8 freighter returned to Miami after its main cargo door opened shortly after departure; the aircraft landed safely.
- 1983
Fatal Tampa Cargo crash at Medellín's Olaya Herrera Airport[1]
Other
A Tampa Cargo Boeing 707 crashed into a factory after takeoff from Medellín. An engine failure attributed to foreign-object damage caused the accident, killing all three crew members and 22 people on the ground.
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