Avianca has formally filed an application with Ecuador’s civil aviation authority (Dirección General de Aviación Civil – DGAC) to operate two new domestic routes: Quito–Santa Rosa and Cuenca–Guayaquil. This strategic move will increase the carrier’s domestic seat capacity in the country by 30%, bolstering air connectivity between key commercial and industrial hubs.
Domestic Network Expansion and Strategic Links
The airline’s application aims to broaden domestic travel options between high-yield destinations across Ecuador while scaling up its overall seat offering.
The connectivity expansion centers on two primary corridors:
- Quito–Santa Rosa: Designed to establish a direct link between El Oro province and the nation’s capital.
- Cuenca–Guayaquil: Intended to strengthen connectivity between two of Ecuador’s most prominent commercial, economic, and tourism centers.
According to Juan Francisco Ortiz, Country Officer for Avianca in Ecuador, Santa Rosa is a vital gateway for the country’s southern region due to its agricultural output and geographic location. Meanwhile, the Cuenca–Guayaquil city pair sustains consistent corporate, academic, and leisure passenger flows.
Operational Breakdown
Under the regulatory filing submitted to the DGAC, the proposed operations feature the following technical and product specifications:
- Fleet: Both city pairs will be operated using Airbus A320-family aircraft.
- Frequencies: A daily flight schedule (7 weekly frequencies) for each route.
- Cabin Configuration: Flights will feature the carrier’s “Business Class Americas” premium product—a cabin standard offered across all of Avianca’s domestic sectors in Ecuador, delivering dedicated ground and inflight amenities tailored to corporate passengers.
Operational Footprint and Long-Term Outlook
This route application aligns with the legacy carrier’s long-term network strategy in Ecuador, where it has maintained operations for nearly a century. The planned service responds directly to sustained passenger demand across regional tourism, business travel, and the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) segment.
From a traffic standpoint, Avianca handled over 1.4 million passengers on domestic and international routes to and from Ecuador between January and June 2026. Pending regulatory approval from the aviation authority, the carrier intends to keep expanding its destination network and reinforcing domestic air connectivity across the country.
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