ORLANDO, FL. – After nearly 92 years in operation, Avianca, the airline of Colombia, landed at Orlando International Airport for the first time shortly after 2:30 p.m. on July 12, 2011. Avianca, the second oldest airline in the world, was received with a time honored aviation tradition of a water salute by airport aircraft rescue fire fighters.

“The addition of Avianca caps a remarkable summer for international travel at Orlando International Airport. Avianca’s four flights per week brings to 5900 the total number of new weekly international seats to Orlando International Airport for the summer of 2011. This is an amazing statistic that benefits all of us here in Central Florida”, says Cesar E. Calvet, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Avianca will fly from Orlando International to Bogota International Airport in Colombia. Passengers are able to enjoy multiple connection possibilities among the destinations that Avianca operates directly or through interline and/or code-share agreements with 170 other internationally recognized airlines. The service will also provide direct connections to destinations in Brazil and Ecuador.