Colombia's flagship cargo airline, formerly Tampa Cargo, based at Bogotá and flying Airbus A330 freighters for Latin American perishables, flowers and e-commerce. It is an important carrier for Chinese exports entering Colombia, Ecuador and Latin American markets through hubs such as Miami.
Avianca Cargo (IATA two-letter codeQT, ICAO three-letter codeTPA, callsign TAMPA) is the air cargo company of Colombia's Avianca Group. Its predecessor Tampa Cargo was founded in Colombia on 11 March 1973 and is one of the oldest dedicated cargo airlines in Latin America; on 28 May 2013 the Avianca Group consolidated its cargo business under the single commercial brand Avianca Cargo, and Tampa Cargo took the new name.
The company's core cargo hub is El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogotá, with cargo bases at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Medellín, Barranquilla and Miami (MIA) in the United States. The current fleet is Airbus A330 freighters, both factory A330-200F and converted A330-200P2F, about 9 aircraft in total, with payload over 60 tonnes and up to about 70 tonnes and two temperature zones on the main deck, the main medium-range widebody freighter type in Latin America.
Avianca Cargo is one of the leading air carriers for flower exports from Colombia and Ecuador, and also carries fresh fruit, pharmaceuticals, high-value electronics and cross-border e-commerce. Through connections with the Avianca passenger network and global interline partners, its products reach more than 350 destinations covering the main logistics nodes in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The company website is aviancacargo.com.
For Chinese shippers, the core value of Avianca Cargo is the Latin American last leg: Chinese exports transit the Miami hub or a European hub and join the BOG/MDE cargo network for distribution to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and other Latin American countries, particularly suited to Chinese cross-border e-commerce exports to the region and high-value cargo needing temperature control. Routes, schedules and reach shown here are compiled from public information and actual carriage is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Colombia is the fourth-largest economy in Latin America, and the metropolitan areas of Bogotá, Medellín and Cali concentrate the country's main importers, distributors and cross-border e-commerce consumers. Avianca Cargo is rooted in Bogotá and carries both exports of flowers, avocados, coffee and other fresh produce from Colombia and Ecuador and imports of consumer electronics, textiles and garments, industrial intermediates and e-commerce parcels from Asia and Europe. This two-way traffic keeps the Bogotá-Miami mainline frequent and stable, so Chinese exports entering the Miami gateway can take a daily Bogotá flight and land quickly.
On products, Avianca Cargo runs dedicated products for perishables, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and high-value cargo. Perishable and flower products use the dual-temperature main deck and a specialist flower terminal; pharmaceutical products follow temperature-controlled pharmaceutical standards; e-commerce products use partnerships with intercontinental e-commerce freighter operators for direct ULD transfer and fast destination distribution. Chinese shippers can choose the product for their commodity, and we match the most suitable capacity and handling plan at booking.
| Airline | Avianca Cargo |
| Predecessor | Tampa Cargo (founded 1973) |
| Country | Colombia |
| Main hub | Bogota BOG |
| Cargo bases | Medellín MDE, Miami MIA |
| IATA two-letter code | QT |
| ICAO three-letter code | TPA |
| Call sign | TAMPA |
| Main aircraft type | Airbus A330-200F / A330-200P2F |
| Payload per aircraft | Over 60 tonnes (up to about 70 tonnes) |
| Official website | aviancacargo.com |
| China business | No direct flights; transit via Miami or Europe |
Avianca Cargo has no public cargo office of its own in China and no self-operated terminals at Chinese gateways. Chinese shippers do not book directly with the Bogotá head office; booking and capacity confirmation run through the Miami MIA cargo station, the group's interline channels or its local agent in China. We recommend contacting the airline's local agent in China or asking us to make the connection.
Because the China leg is flown by a carrier departing China, the shipper is effectively dealing with a first carrier plus Avianca as second carrier. As the intermediary we coordinate capacity and deadlines between the two waybills, so cargo is not stranded in Miami by a poor connection.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) regularly handles air cargo bookings from China to Colombia and northern Latin America and can apply for capacity, confirm rates and arrange transit distribution with the Avianca cargo network on the shipper's behalf. Shippers can submit cargo details at https://goodhope86.com and we will work out feasible options via Miami or Europe.
We have long experience with the main commodity types exported from China to Colombia and with destination clearance requirements, and can explain the compliance rules for Miami transit and the total transit time before booking, so a route is not found unworkable after cargo has been handed over. For first-time exporters to Latin America we can also provide documentation, importer liaison and last-mile delivery as one plan.
The current Avianca Cargo fleet is the Airbus A330 freighter family. The type has a range of about 4,000 nautical miles and two temperature-controlled zones on the main deck, so it can carry ambient heavy cargo and temperature-controlled perishables at the same time, making it the main type for Latin American transoceanic perishables and e-commerce. Beyond its own A330 fleet, the company has operated a daily Boeing 767-300F freighter charter between Bogotá and Miami since April 2025, expanding perishable and e-commerce capacity between the US and Latin America.
| Aircraft type | Number (approx.) | Payload and temperature control | Cargo accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| A330-200F | 6 aircraft | Payload about 60 to 70 tonnes, two temperature zones on the main deck, range about 4,000 nautical miles | Flowers, fresh fruit, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce parcels |
| A330-200P2F | 3 aircraft | Passenger-to-freighter conversion, payload over 60 tonnes, common handling with the A330F | Bulk heavy cargo, high-value electronics |
| B767-300F (charter) | Daily service | Daily Bogotá-Miami service for perishables and cross-border e-commerce | Flowers, fruit, small e-commerce parcels |
| Passenger belly supplement | Avianca network | Regional narrowbody belly capacity through the group's passenger fleet | Small parcels, regional distribution |
The A330 freighter main deck takes several standard pallets and containers, and the temperature zones can be set separately for the requirements of flowers, fruit and pharmaceuticals. For flowers exported from Colombia and Ecuador, the frequent flights between Bogotá and Miami are what preserves freshness; the same capacity in reverse supports Chinese e-commerce parcels distributed through Miami to Latin American destinations. Fleet numbers move with conversions and leases and follow the carrier's current publications.
The economics of the A330 freighter on transoceanic medium and long-haul routes match Latin American demand well: compared with large freighters such as the 747F, its payload and range suit high-frequency medium-haul routes such as Bogotá-Miami and Bogotá-Europe, meeting perishable and e-commerce deadlines without the unused capacity of a larger aircraft. For Chinese shippers this means ample connecting capacity at the Miami gateway, for both consolidated and full-pallet shipments.
Beyond its own A330 fleet, Avianca has worked with an intercontinental e-commerce carrier since April 2025 on a daily Boeing 767-300F freighter between Bogotá and Miami, extended to the Quito-Miami direction, further expanding Latin American perishable and e-commerce export capacity. These flights also give Chinese e-commerce parcels more connecting options in the reverse direction.
Avianca Cargo operates no scheduled freighters of its own in mainland China or Hong Kong. Chinese exports leave gateways such as Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing (PEK/PKX), Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX) and Hong Kong (HKG) on international flights to Miami or a European hub, then join the Avianca Cargo network to Bogotá and Medellín.
| Connection path | China origin ports | Transit hub | Latin American leg carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| via Miami | PVG, CAN, HKG | Miami MIA | Avianca Cargo QT |
| Via Europe | PVG, PEK, HKG | Madrid MAD / Barcelona BCN | Avianca network connection |
| Transoceanic interline | HKG and PVG | Miami MIA to BOG | First carrier plus QT as second carrier |
Times are local. Avianca Cargo operates a daily charter in the Bogotá-Miami direction, and Miami has a dense flight schedule as the Latin American distribution gateway; we arrange the China leg and connections according to the shipping date. Frequencies change with the season and carrier confirmation on the day of booking prevails.
Cargo from south China and Hong Kong reaches Miami on trans-Pacific services, the most common route for Chinese e-commerce cargo into Colombia; cargo from east and north China can also connect to the Avianca network through Madrid. Because Miami transit falls under US transhipment rules, some restricted goods must be identified at booking, and we set out the compliance requirements and alternatives for this route when quoting.
Airport-to-airport transit is about 7 to 12 working days, and the full journey including inland pickup in China, export declaration, Miami transit and clearance and delivery in Bogotá is usually about 10 to 18 days. Peak-season capacity and customs inspection can change the actual arrival time, and we update the shipper at each milestone. For e-commerce replenishment with very tight deadlines, we can prioritize the high-frequency direct services from south China gateways to Miami, cutting connection waiting time.
Frequent Bogotá-Miami flights support the cold chain, so Chinese high-value temperature-controlled exports can be distributed across Latin America within the same system.
Avianca works with intercontinental e-commerce freighters, so Chinese e-commerce cargo moves quickly through Miami to Colombia and Ecuador, shortening the last leg.
The A330 freighter main deck has two temperature zones, so ambient and temperature-controlled cargo can travel on the same aircraft, combining heavy cargo and perishables.
Through the interline network, Chinese cargo can connect from BOG/MIA to more than 350 destinations in the Americas and Europe.
| Country | Main cargo gateways | Connecting hub | Typical cargo from Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | Bogotá BOG, Medellín MDE | BOG / MDE | Consumer electronics, e-commerce parcels, textiles |
| Ecuador | Guayaquil GYE, Quito UIO | MIA / BOG | Light manufactures, consumer electronics |
| Peru | Lima LIM | BOG / MIA | Industrial consumables, appliance parts |
| United States (transit) | Miami MIA | MIA distribution | Transit and deconsolidation |
The countries and gateway airports listed are compiled from the public Avianca Cargo network and our operating experience; actual reach changes with carrier schedules. For secondary Latin American cities not listed, we can confirm at booking whether distribution via the BOG or MIA hubs is possible; we do not promise fixed connections to every city.
Cross-border e-commerce parcels and overseas warehouse replenishment for Colombia and Ecuador move quickly through the Miami gateway, suited to urgent small parcels and consolidated e-commerce warehouse shipments.
Mobile phones and accessories, smart hardware and small appliances, categories where China exports strongly, move in consolidated pallet loads; A330 freighter capacity is stable, suited to stock build-up for promotion seasons.
Apparel, home textiles and consumer goods, the main Colombian import categories, suit mixed loading of heavy and low-density cargo and are distributed from Bogotá to the main Latin American cities.
Using the dual-temperature main deck and perishable handling experience, medical devices and high-value goods needing temperature control get full temperature records and priority loading.
Dangerous goods, live animals, valuables and oversize or out-of-gauge cargo must be declared shipment by shipment at booking with complete technical data. We coordinate export declaration, commodity inspection and export licences in China according to cargo type; destination clearance follows Colombian and other national customs rules, import duty is paid by the consignee by default and DDP terms can be agreed at booking. Cargo transiting Miami is handled under US transhipment rules, and shipments subject to US inspection must be flagged at booking.
Colombian import trade has clear requirements on product registration, tax numbers and compliance certification for some products. We have built experience over years of operation and can remind shippers to prepare the basic documents in advance: commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin. For first-time exporters to Colombia, we recommend confirming destination import qualifications and product access requirements at the sample stage, so cargo is not left at port incurring storage costs through incomplete documents.
The diagram shows how the main Chinese gateways connect through Miami or Europe into the Avianca Cargo BOG/MDE hubs and distribute to Latin American countries. Node positions are indicative and not projected on true coordinates; actual routing, frequencies and capacity are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Chinese cargo enters Colombia mainly through Miami as the convergence gateway, then joins the Bogotá hub on frequent flights and radiates to Medellín, Guayaquil in Ecuador, Lima in Peru and other points. The Madrid route is a supplement for cargo from east and north China that should avoid the United States. Both routes share the same Latin American distribution network beyond Bogotá.
Avianca is one of the leading carriers for flower exports from Colombia and Ecuador and has deep temperature-control experience; Chinese temperature-controlled high-value exports can travel within the same cold-chain system with traceable temperatures throughout.
With the Miami gateway and frequent BOG/MDE flights, Chinese cross-border e-commerce parcels reach the main Colombian cities quickly, suited to overseas warehouse replenishment and mainline carriage of direct-mail parcels.
After booking, we give the shipper the air waybill number and end-to-end milestone tracking, with status at handover at the Chinese gateway, Miami transit, arrival in Bogotá and distribution in Latin America. For cargo needing destination clearance and delivery, we can coordinate Avianca's local agent to complete airport collection, clearance and final truck delivery, forming a chain from the Chinese factory to the Latin American consignee.
On rates, air freight from China to Colombia is affected by transoceanic distance, Miami transit and peak-season capacity, and we quote shipment by shipment. For first-time exporters to Latin America we can also advise on documentation and on contacting the destination importer, and explain the available routings, total transit time and cost structure before booking, so no hidden charges appear later.
For customers needing local warehousing and single-item fulfillment in Colombia, we can combine ground resources in Miami and Bogotá into an overseas warehouse plan, integrating mainline air freight with post-arrival inventory management and last-mile delivery in one quotation, which helps Chinese cross-border e-commerce companies plan their Latin American footprint.
No public scheduled direct freighter service or cargo office of its own in China. Chinese cargo connects through Miami or Europe into the Avianca Cargo network for carriage to Latin America.
IATA two-letter code QT, ICAO three-letter code TPA, callsign TAMPA, formerly Tampa Cargo, founded in 1973.
About 7 to 12 working days airport to airport and about 10 to 18 days in total; peak-season capacity and customs inspection can extend it.
Suited to cross-border e-commerce parcels, consumer electronics, textiles and light manufactures and temperature-controlled high-value cargo; Colombia and Ecuador are its traditional strong markets.
Miami is the Latin American distribution gateway for Avianca Cargo, with a daily Bogotá-Miami flight and dense connections that suit fast distribution of Chinese e-commerce and perishable cargo.
General cargo needs an air waybill, commercial invoice, packing list and export declaration documents; Colombian import is declared under local customs rules and restricted goods need import licences.
The A330 freighter main deck has two temperature zones and mature flower and perishable handling; exact temperature ranges and packing requirements are confirmed shipment by shipment at booking.
Schedules are compiled from published sources; times are local and actual schedules change with the season, subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Cargo transiting Miami is handled under US transhipment rules. We coordinate the transit documents and the connecting capacity, and cargo subject to US inspection requirements should be flagged at the booking stage.
The fourth quarter each year combines the Chinese e-commerce export peak with the Latin American flower return peak, so shippers should lock capacity two to three weeks ahead; we reserve Miami connection slots against the shipping plan.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) handles booking, connections and destination distribution on the Avianca Cargo network from China, covering the main gateways of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and suited to cross-border e-commerce and temperature-controlled high-value cargo. Whether the shipment is bulk heavy export cargo, overseas warehouse replenishment or high-value product needing temperature control, we provide a full-chain air cargo plan from China to Colombia and Latin America against the shipper's transit time and budget, with milestone tracking throughout.
Visit goodhope86.com for air freight optionsDisclaimer:This material is produced by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight). Airline names, codes and brand marks belong to their respective owners, and the company has no affiliation, agency or investment relationship with Avianca Cargo. Information is compiled from public sources, including carrier websites and public industry reports, for reference only, and does not form a transport contract or commitment. Capacity, rates and schedules are subject to confirmation by the carrier and its authorized agents on the day of booking. Compliance requirements for cargo transiting the United States follow the latest regulations at the time of booking.