Avianca is launching a new flight from Ontario in Southern California to El Salvador in July. The thrice-weekly Airbus A319 flight is the first flight from Ontario to El Salvador and will expand the Latin American carrier's reach into North America.

Avianca adds new route from Ontario

From Ontario International Airport (ONT), Avianca will be launching a new service to San Salvador International Airport (SAL) in El Salvador. The flight will operate thrice a week with an Airbus A319. The scheduling is as follows (note that all times are local):

  • Flight 531 departs ONT at 01:15 and arrives in SAL at 07:05 on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays
  • Flight 530 departs SAL at 19:10 and arrives in ONT at 23:30 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays

Alan D. Wapner, Mayor pro Tem of the City of Ontario and President of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners, stated the following:

“We are thrilled to welcome Avianca to Ontario. Our international gateway airport and the Inland Empire have much to offer and we are confident that Avianca will quickly realize the benefits of bringing new service to Ontario.”

Mark Thorpe, CEO of the OIAA, went further, commenting,

“Ontario is experiencing the quickest recovery among California airports, and third fastest among airports in the U.S., since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. While domestic travel accounts for much of ONT’s recovery, it will be particularly gratifying to add Avianca’s international service.”

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Avianca has a large base in Bogota, but it also has a sizable presence in El Salvador. Photo: Getty Images

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Ontario International Airport

Ontario International Airport is located in the Los Angeles-area. It is a major cargo hub, but it also has a significant share of international traffic. ONT announced that airlines would restart or initiate new flights to nine US destinations by May as the domestic recovery continues. Hawaiian Airlines is one carrier expected to launch flights to ONT from Honolulu.

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Ontario International Airport is mostly a domestic airport, but it has grown its portfolio of international routes. Photo: Ontario International Airport

Ontario Airport has seen some new international services in the last few years. The most significant is China Airlines' nonstop flight from Ontario to Taipei using a Boeing 777-300ER. That flight, however, is currently suspended.

Avianca El Salvador

Avianca has a large presence in El Salvador after it merged with TACA, the former flag carrier of El Salvador. SAL is the main international airport for the country and is Avianca El Salvador's base.

Using a fleet of all Airbus A320 family aircraft, Avianca flies to many destinations to and from El Salvador. This includes Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington D.C., Bogota, Mexico City, and many more. Check with the airline to get the latest schedule and routes in operation.

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Avianca's plan is different than that of LATAM. Photo: Getty Images.

Avianca El Salvador is Avianca's largest Central American operation. Avianca's main base is out of Bogota, but it also does have sizable operations in other Latin American countries, similar to LATAM. LATAM and Avianca are two of the most well-known carriers in Latin America.

Avianca is currently operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the ongoing crisis. It has still worked to rebuild its route network and is currently flying almost 100 routes and continues to see Europe as a key market.

Are you glad to see Avianca coming to Ontario? Let us know in the comments!