Is Avianca a Safe Airline? Exploring Its Safety Record

Accuracy as of: October 6, 2025

Avianca, the national airline (flag carrier) of Colombia, boasts a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1919 as SCADTA (Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transporte Aéreo), making it among the world’s oldest airlines.^[16][8] Over the decades, Avianca has evolved significantly through mergers and group restructuring (including the Avianca-TACA combination in 2010) and today operates as part of Avianca Group under the Abra Group holding. ^[17] Over the years, Avianca has expanded and optimized its network and product.

Today, it operates an extensive network of domestic and international flights—about 82–83 destinations across ~27 countries in 2025 (figures vary by season).^[3][1] The airline is a member of Star Alliance, which enhances its global connectivity and benefits through partnerships with other major airlines.^[1] Avianca’s ongoing cabin and service upgrades (including new Business Class offerings on select routes) complement its focus on operational reliability and safety.^[2]

The airline has invested in modernizing and refitting its fleet—centered on the Airbus A320 family for short/medium haul and Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul—while rolling out new seating concepts on narrowbodies and refreshed premium cabins on widebodies.^[10][2] As travelers increasingly prioritize safety and reliability, understanding Avianca’s safety measures, certifications, and incident history is essential. This article reviews Avianca’s safety record, measures, pilot training, and maintenance practices with current citations.

Key Takeaways

• Network & alliances: Avianca is Colombia’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, serving ~82–83 destinations in ~27 countries (seasonal; 2025 figures).^[3][1]
• Safety systems: The airline maintains a Safety Management System (SMS) and related programs (FRMS/SeMS) and complies with Colombia’s Aerocivil regulations and ICAO standards.^[12][13]
• Certifications: Avianca is an IATA member; IATA membership requires IOSA registration, reflecting audited operational control and safety processes.^[4][5]
• Incident history: Avianca’s most serious accidents were in 1983 (Flight 011) and 1990 (Flight 052). In recent years, incidents have been non-fatal (e.g., precautionary diversions in 2024–2025).^[6][7][14]
• Ratings: Independent trackers currently show Avianca with a strong safety rating (7/7 on AirlineRatings, last updated Sept 2024).^[11]

Avianca’s Safety Measures and Protocols

Avianca places a high priority on safety, implementing comprehensive measures and protocols designed to protect passengers and crew. The airline adheres to international standards (ICAO) and Colombia’s Aerocivil regulations, including requirements for Safety Management Systems (SMS) and recurrent training for crew members.^[13] Avianca’s published safety policy references SMS, a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS), and a Security Management System (SeMS), as well as just-culture reporting channels—key elements for proactive risk management.^[12]

Avianca is an IATA member, and IATA requires member airlines to be IOSA-registered (IATA Operational Safety Audit)—a standardized, independently audited evaluation of operational management and control systems.^[4][5] In addition to meeting regulatory obligations, the airline applies internal protocols for pre-flight checks, reliability monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with industry best practices.

Analysis of Avianca’s Safety Record

When evaluating an airline’s safety record, consider audited processes (IOSA/IATA), regulatory oversight (Aerocivil/ICAO), and historical events (accidents/incidents). Avianca’s most severe accidents occurred decades ago (1983 and 1990). Recent events have primarily involved precautionary diversions or technical irregularities without fatalities (e.g., engine-related returns/diversions in late-2024 and April 2025).^[7][14] As with any major carrier, isolated incidents occur, but available evidence indicates a mature safety framework audited to international standards.^[5]

A note on context: Large global carriers operate thousands of flights monthly; incident counts should be weighed against total operations. Formal investigations (e.g., CIAIAC, NTSB, Aerocivil) provide the most authoritative findings on causes and corrective actions.^[6][7][13]

Incident and Accident History

Avianca’s accident history reflects both severe legacy accidents (1980s–1990) and more recent non-fatal, precautionary events. Post-accident reforms across pilot training, CRM, dispatch/operational control, and regulatory oversight have shaped modern procedures industry-wide, including within Avianca.^[7][13]

Avianca’s Fleet and Maintenance Practices

Avianca operates a fleet focused on the Airbus A320 family (A319/A320/A320neo/A321 variants) for short/medium-haul and the Boeing 787-8 for long-haul. Independent fleet trackers list ~120–130 aircraft in 2025, with average fleet age ~10 years (exact figures vary as aircraft cycle in/out).^[10] The airline has retrofitted many A320-family aircraft with new Recaro seating layouts (Premium/Plus/Economy) to improve efficiency and consistency, while keeping lie-flat Business Class on intercontinental 787 routes and expanding premium service across the Americas.^[2]

Maintenance programs comply with manufacturer requirements and Aerocivil oversight. Routine checks, reliability programs, and heavy maintenance intervals are governed by approved maintenance control manuals under RAC 121/145 and ICAO Annexes.^[13]

Pilot Training and Experience

Rigorous Selection Process

Avianca uses standardized hiring practices for flight crew, aligned with Aerocivil licensing rules (RAC 61) and operator qualifications in RAC 121. Candidates must meet type-specific and experience requirements and pass medical, language proficiency, and simulator evaluations per regulation.^[13]

Comprehensive Training Programs

Once hired, pilots undergo aircraft-type qualification and recurrent training (ground school, simulators, line checks), including emergency procedures and Crew Resource Management (CRM). Aerocivil-regulated training organizations (RAC 141) and operator training programs define cadence and content (e.g., OPC/LPC), with additional modules under Avianca’s SMS/FRMS where applicable.^[13][12]

Cultivating a Skilled Workforce

By investing in continuous training and reporting culture, Avianca aims to support robust decision-making under pressure and early hazard identification.^[12]

Safety Ratings and Certifications

Safety ratings and certifications offer external validation of an airline’s safety posture. Avianca is an IATA member and, per IATA policy, membership requires IOSA registration—an audited benchmark of operational safety management and control systems.^[4][5] Independent monitors list Avianca with a 7/7 safety score (AirlineRatings; last updated September 10, 2024).^[11]

Regulatory Compliance and Oversight

Avianca is supervised by Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) and operates under ICAO standards adopted in national regulations (RAC). Aerocivil oversees operator certification, training, maintenance, and safety programs through audits and inspections.^[13]

Passenger and Crew Safety Considerations

Avianca continues initiatives to enhance the travel experience while prioritizing safety—for example, operational changes, cabin updates, and communications around on-board conduct. The airline maintains channels for reporting safety or security concerns and publishes its integrated safety policy and commitments.^[12]

Comparison with Other Airlines

Within Latin America, peers such as LATAM and Copa also maintain strong safety records under similar regulatory frameworks. Differing business models (full-service vs. “value” carriers) affect product but not the requirement to meet identical safety regulations and audits (Aerocivil/ICAO, IOSA for IATA members).^[5][13]

Is Avianca a Safe Airline?

Based on current evidence, Avianca is considered a safe airline: it is an IATA member (hence IOSA-registered), operates under Aerocivil/ICAO oversight, and has not experienced a fatal passenger accident since 1990. While incidents occur—as with all large carriers—recent events have been non-fatal and handled in line with standard procedures.^{[4][5][7][15]} As of October 6, 2025, third-party monitors list a top-tier safety rating for Avianca.^[11]

FAQs

Is Avianca a safe airline?

Yes. Avianca is an IATA member (requiring IOSA registration) and operates under Aerocivil/ICAO oversight. Independent trackers rate its safety highly (7/7 on AirlineRatings as of Sept 2024).^[4][5][11]

What safety measures does Avianca have in place?

A published Safety Management System (SMS) with supporting programs (FRMS/SeMS), recurrent crew training under RAC 121/141, and IOSA-aligned operational controls.^[12][13]

Has Avianca had any major safety incidents in the past?

Yes. The most severe accidents were Flight 011 (1983, Madrid) and Flight 052 (1990, New York). Recent incidents (e.g., 2024–2025 diversions/returns) have been non-fatal.^{[6][7][14][15]}

Is Avianca regulated by aviation authorities?

Yes. Avianca is overseen by Colombia’s Aerocivil and must meet ICAO standards; as an IATA member, it is subject to IOSA requirements.^[13][5]

What is Avianca’s safety rating?

AirlineRatings lists Avianca at 7/7 for safety (page last updated Sept 10, 2024). Ratings may update; always check the latest source.^[11]

References

1. Star Alliance – Avianca member profile (countries/airports served, alliance membership). Updated 2025. staralliance.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}}
2. Avianca corporate news (product/network updates incl. Business Class & Europe/Americas). avianca.com – Corporate news.^{:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}}
3. Avianca press release (May 13, 2025): network restored to 82 destinations, 169 routes. avianca.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}}
4. IATA Members Directory – Avianca listed. iata.org.^{:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}}
5. IATA – IOSA Fact Sheet (IATA membership requires IOSA registration). iata.org.^{:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}}
6. CIAIAC (Spain) – Accident listings 1983 (Flight 011, Madrid). mitma.gob.es  |  Supplemental: Wikipedia summary. wikipedia.org.^{:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}}
7. NTSB safety recommendations (Avianca 052) + FAA Lessons Learned (accident synopsis). ntsb.gov ; faa.gov.^{:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}}
8. Background on founding/SCADTA (historical). wikipedia.org.^{:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}}
9. BAAA accident record – Flight 410 (1988). baaa-acro.com  |  Supplemental: Wikipedia summary. wikipedia.org.^{:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}}
10. Planespotters – Avianca fleet snapshot (updated Oct 2, 2025). planespotters.net.^{:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}}
11. AirlineRatings – Avianca safety rating 7/7 (updated Sept 10, 2024). airlineratings.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}}
12. Avianca – Integrated Safety Policy (SMS/FRMS/SeMS; 2024). avianca.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}}
13. Aerocivil (Colombia) – RAC regulations (RAC 121/141 etc.) and guidance. aerocivil.gov.co.^{:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}}
14. Reports on 2024 B787 diversion (loss of pressurization) to Ponta Delgada: Airportia summary. airportia.com (cross-check with spotter videos).^{:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}}
15. AV17 (Apr 23, 2025) return to Madrid (engine-related): FlightAware track & Airlive report. flightaware.com ; airlive.net.^{:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}}
16. Avianca/SCADTA historical context (official/newsroom). avianca.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}}
17. Avianca–TACA merger background (2010) – multiple contemporary sources. travelweekly.com ; aviationweek.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}}
18. Additional context – Flight 410 (media background). elconfidencial.com.^{:contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}}