Tampa airport begins flights to South America

Tampa International Airport began its first regularly scheduled nonstop flights to South America in its 50-year history this week.

Avianca, the largest airline in Colombia, will now be carrying passengers back and forth from Tampa to El Dorado International Airport in Colombia’s capital city Bogota four days a week.

“Tampa International Airport has achieved a major milestone in connecting Tampa Bay to Bogota,” TPA CEO Joe Lopano says in a statement. "With new airline partner Avianca, TPA now has nonstop flights to South America for the very first time, giving our residents unparalleled access to Colombia and beyond. I’m grateful to Avianca, as well as the efforts of our community partners throughout Tampa Bay, for helping us make this longtime goal a reality.”