Avianca’s sustainability strategy soars with enhanced air transportation accessibility and carbon dioxide emission reduction

In 2023, the airline witnessed an increase in passenger numbers to a broader array of destinations, while also achieving a remarkable 26% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per passenger transported.

Avianca's social partnership strategy has empowered the airline to positively impact over 14,000 individuals in the regions where it operates, facilitated by its network of 18 social allies.

Enhanced accessibility to air transportation for individuals stands out as one of the most notable achievements emphasized by Avianca during the unveiling of its 2023 Sustainability Report. Throughout the previous year, the airline served more than 32 million customers across 147 routes to 76 destinations spanning 25 countries by the conclusion of 2023. Avianca's data indicates that approximately 16% of these passengers embarked on their inaugural flights last year.

During the report presentation event, emphasis was placed on the ease of air travel, with Colombia ranking third in Latin America for the highest availability of international seats. Additionally, travelers departing solely from Bogotá have access to flights to 40 destinations outside the country.

"Today, we stand as a more accessible and approachable airline, deeply aware of our responsibility within the regions we serve,” stated Frederico Pedreira, president and CEO of Avianca. “Through our business model, we've prioritized enhancing access and connectivity, offering affordable fares to cater to all travelers, particularly in a region like Latin America where air travel is essential. At the same time, we remain committed to minimizing our environmental footprint and expanding our reach to foster well-being in the communities we serve."

The advancements in access and connectivity have coincided with a noteworthy reduction in carbon emissions per passenger transported: a 26% decline in 2023 compared to 2019, alongside a 21% decrease in absolute emissions over the same period. Moreover, Avianca has undertaken various environmental initiatives, including offsetting nearly 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide by supporting projects in Colombia through the purchase of carbon credits. Furthermore, an additional 87.5 tons of carbon dioxide have been offset by customers and employees through the CHOOOSE platform. Avianca has also implemented 24 fuel-saving initiatives, resulting in the prevention of 71,256 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the airline has contributed to environmental preservation by transporting 11,843 kilograms of waste from the Galápagos Islands.

In its pursuit of social welfare, Avianca concluded the year with 18 social partners in Colombia, El Salvador and Ecuador, a result of its “Alliances for Development” program. (As of 2024, this figure has risen to 25.) The airline's Mile Bank, a cornerstone of its initiative, has benefited over 14,000 individuals in regions such as Cauca, La Guajira, Amazonas and Nariño. The program was made possible through the voluntary contribution of nearly 4.5 million miles by LifeMiles partners, coupled with contributions from Avianca. These efforts facilitated the issuance of over 470 tickets to technical and medical personnel from our partners, enabling them to travel to these regions and provide aid to vulnerable communities.

Additionally, the airline partnered with Deprisa to transport over 11,600 kilograms of humanitarian aid. This aid comprised medications for treating high-cost diseases, hospital and medical supplies, diagnostic tests, nutritional formulas, oxygen concentrators with regulators and other essential items.

"2023’s outcomes stand as a testament to the relentless dedication of the Avianca team and of our partners to advance sustainability across all fronts,” added Pedreira “We remain committed to leveraging the capacity and reach of our aircraft and personnel to aid those in need, while transcending geographic barriers." .

"The environmental, social and accessibility challenges within the aviation sector are substantial,” said Felipe Andrés Gómez, director of sustainability and institutional relations at Avianca. “We recognize the imperative for Colombia and all of Latin America to have aviation that is progressively cleaner, more accessible and better aligned with the needs of the most vulnerable communities. The strides we have made are attributable to the capabilities of our partners, the dedication of our workforce and the vision and support of our leadership team."

Renews Alliance With WCS
During the event, Avianca announced the renewal of its alliance with the Wildlife Conservation Society, expanding its reach to include Colombia and Ecuador. As part of this announcement, a livery was unveiled showcasing Colombia's rich biodiversity with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of protecting the country's wildlife species. The design, which prominently features the message “United for Biodiversity,” will adorn one of Avianca's B787 aircraft, serving as a visible symbol of its commitment to conservation efforts.

The Sky Belongs to Everyone
Additionally, significant attention was given to the advancements made by the airline in the implementation of its “Accessible Avianca” program during the event. This initiative is designed to identify and address barriers encountered by individuals with diverse abilities and conditions with the overarching objective of removing obstacles and enhancing processes at every customer interaction point. Notably, the partnership with the National Institute for the Blind (INCI) was underscored, particularly focusing on the integration of Braille in crucial areas of the aircraft including rows, seats, restrooms and emergency exits.

The event spotlighted the launch of the “The Sky Belongs to Them” program as a part of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This program aims to provide opportunities for women in aviation by offering fully-funded scholarships for the commercial pilot career. Specifically, 20 women will benefit from these scholarships, which will cover their studies at five of Colombia's leading aviation academies, all sponsored by Avianca.

The 2023 Sustainability Report was unveiled during a panel discussion featuring three segments, each focusing on different aspects. The first panel, dedicated to access, included Geovany Carvajal, coordinator of the Technical Secretariat of the Regional Competitiveness Commission of Nariño. The second panel, centered on environmental commitment, was led by Avianca's sustainability team, along with insights from Avianca pilot Juan Carlos Sánchez.. Lastly, the discussion on social welfare featured Pamela Estrada, director of the Colombian Civil Air Patrol (PAC) and Marcela Tamayo, executive director of Operation Smile.