Avianca (Brazil) started its life as OceanAir, which was established in 1998 as an air taxi company in Rio de Janeiro. The company took advantage that oil fields were growing in that region.
 In 2001 becomes a regional airline and made its first flight in march 2002, between Rio de Janeiro, Campos and Macaé with three EMB-120 (formerly Rio Sul’s fleet). With Varig’s financial crisis, Rio Sul (its subsidiary) reduce the number of routes and destinations. Building on this, OceanAir started flying to cities no longer served by Rio Sul.
 In 2003 the airline received more EMB-120 (ex-Rio Sul), two Fokker 50 and launched several new routes (all previously abandoned by Rio Sul).
 In 2004 Oceanair serving over than thirty cities with six EMB-120 and three Fokker 50. The airline was noted for its flashy planes, each one painted with a different colour. In March of that year, Synergy Group (owner of OceanAir) announced the purchase of Avianca.
 In 2006 Oceanair experienced a great expansion. On 9 January, the airline received its first jet, a Fokker 100 (ex-American Airlines), but call them “MK-28” due to it bad reputation in Brazil, after several accidents and incidents with Tam. Fokker 100 also inaugurated the new paint shame, the same of Avianca. Oceanair abandoned regional routes and focused on routes for the executive public and announced the retirement of the EMB-120. Moreover OceanAir invested in quality of service on board with flight attendants speaking in French and hot meals. In June signed a code-share with the BRA that should last a year. In the second half, received one Boeing 757-200 and one Boeing 767-300.
 In 2007 launched its first international route, between São Paulo and Mexico City with Boeing 767. The company also had plans to fly to Lagos and Luanda. In November, BRA paralyzed all operations and Oceanair started to operate its flights and incorporated three Boeing 737-300 and two Boeing 767-300 from BRA. At this point OceanAir had its largest fleet and the largest number of destinations so far and also was the third largest airline in Brazilian’s domestic market. In November the group (which includes Avianca) announced an order for new Airbus A319, A320 and A330-200.
 In 2008, with bad occupations on flights to Mexico, the airline gave up on international flights. After constant losses, OceanAir decided reduced routes and fleet to only fourteen Fokker 100 (previously sixteen) and retired all other aircraft. Also in 2008, Oceanair began flying between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the Brazil’s busiest route.
 On April 23, 2010 OceanAir was renamed to Avianca (Brazil). “Avianca is the oldest airline of Americas and its name is known throughout the continent, the same name would generate a stronger airline", said the president. At this month the airline received its first Airbus A319, that already comes to Brazil with Avianca’s colours. Avianca's Airbus became the most comfortable plane in Brazil's domestic market, with large space between the seats and individual entertainment system.
 On November 26, 2010 Avianca launched international flights again, this time connecting São Paulo and Bogotá with the A319 and connecting flights with Avianca (Colombia). However, the flight was cancelled in February 2012.
 In April 2011 Avianca received its first A318 and expand its domestic network, launching flights to Ilhéus, Juazeiro Norte, João Pessoa and Aracaju. At the end of 2011 received its first A320.
 In 2012 Avianca continued strong expansion and was the fastest growing airline in Brazil, consolidating its position as the fourth largest airline in Brazil. In October 2013 the company received its first Airbus A320 equipped with Sharklet, which reduces fuel consumption.
 In April 2014 Avianca Brazil adopted the new visual identity of Avianca. Soon after also received its first cargo aircraft, an Airbus A330-200F. In August, began flights to Goiania.
In June 2015 the company announced the order of 62 A320neo Family aircraft to renew the fleet and in July joined Star Alliance. During 2015 Avianca received eight new A320s, which replaced the remaining F-100s in the fleet.
In September, 2016 Avianca became the first airline in Brazil to offer internet on board. And on October, 13 became the second in the country to operate the A320neo.
In June, 2017 Avianca Brazil began operations to Miami with the A330-200. The company also started flights to Santiago, New York and new frequencies to Bogotá.
In 2018 Avianca continued to expand, with new flights to Belo Horizonte and Vitória and the inauguration of the second daily flight between São Paulo and Miami. Everything was going well when on December 6th, aircraft leasing companies filed a lawsuit against the company for lease non-payment. This was the trigger for a crisis in the company, which filed for bankruptcy in the same month. Three A320neo, an A320 and an A330 were withdrawn and Avianca announced the end of flights to Santiago, Miami and New York in March 2019. The expansion plans were suspended and the company announced that it would maintain all domestic routes.
In March 2019 Avianca was forced to return more aircraft and this began to affect the company's ability to maintain its domestic network. In early April, the company's fleet consisted of 35 aircraft. As of April 16th, only 25 aircraft were in operation. As a result, Avianca was forced to cancel 21 routes and close activities in Petrolina, Belém and Galeão (RJ). On April 22nd, the company started returning another 18 aircraft, remaining with only A318 and A319. The routes were restricted to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and Salvador. Ten A320neo operated by Avianca were transferred to Azul and ten A320 were transferred to Latam and one to Azul.
In March 2019, Azul was the first to make an offer for Avianca. However, in April, the Elliott fund (one of Avianca's biggest creditors) suggested splitting Avianca into several companies, attracting interest from Latam and Gol. From then on, the three airlines Azul, Latam and Gol began to accuse each other. The big dispute was the Avianca's slots at Ponte Aérea Rio - São Paulo route. Avianca's auction was postponed and the company's situation deteriorated.
In May 2019 Avianca began to face strikes by its employees for delays in salaries payment. On May 24th, ANAC announced the suspension of all company flights. The company's bankruptcy was decreed on July 14, 2020.

 

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Founded: 1998
Ceased: 2019
Hubs: Congonhas, Guarulhos, Santos Dumont, Galeão, Juscelino Kubitschek
Headquarters: São Paulo
Code: ONE / 06
Historical Fleet: Airbus A318, A319, A320, A320neo, A330-200, Boeing 737-300, 757-200, 767-300, Embraer EMB-120, Fokker F-50, Fokker F-100
Destinations: Porto Alegre, Passou Fundo, Chapecó, Florianópolis, Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Campo Grande, Cuiabá, Brasília, Salvador, Ilhéus, Petrolina, Aracaju, Maceió, Juazeiro do Norte, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Porto Velho, João Pessoa, Goiânia
Code-Share: Bra (2006-2007), Avianca

 

> Avianca's Fleet

> Avianca's Route Map