Colombia’s flagship airline Avianca said Tuesday it has ordered four of Airbus’ A330-200 Freighter aircraft, which will make it the first carrier in Latin America to fly the cargo planes.
The new aircraft will replace its current cargo fleet and “play a key role in expanding Avianca’s international cargo business,” said a statement from the airline, which is part of the airline group AviancaTaca Holding.
The new aircraft, to be flown by Avianca’s cargo subsidiary Tampa, will provide “greater fuel efficiency, lower operating costs and improved environmental performance,” said Fabio Villegas, AviancaTaca’s chief executive.
AviancaTaca is controlled by Bolivian-born businessman German Efromovich. The company made its debut in the Bogota stock exchange in May, and its share price has fallen 15% since then. On Tuesday morning, AviancaTaca shares were up 2.3% at COP4,520, while Colombian stocks overall rose 1.2%.