Avianca Cargo has transported an additional 60 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Miami to Cali to support communities affected by recent earthquakes in Colombia.
The shipment, transported on 14 August aboard an Airbus A330F freighter, included electric generators and essential supplies such as hygiene products and non-perishable food.
Of the total cargo, 9 tonnes were coordinated by the Government of Colombia, while the remaining 51 tonnes were donated by Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).
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The operation adds to Avianca’s wider humanitarian response since the emergency began. According to the airline, more than 150 tonnes of relief supplies were transported during the first two days of the emergency through a combination of cargo and passenger operations.
A330F supports rapid relief effort
The use of an A330F freighter allowed Avianca Cargo to move a large volume of emergency supplies in a single operation, providing additional capacity for the relief effort between the United States and Colombia.
The shipment was routed from Miami to Cali, where the aid is expected to be distributed according to the requirements of communities affected by the earthquakes.
The cargo included power-generation equipment alongside basic supplies required by families and communities dealing with the immediate consequences of the disaster.
Miami serves as an important logistics gateway for humanitarian organisations operating in Latin America, providing access to international supply networks and allowing relief agencies to consolidate donations and essential equipment before onward transportation.
For Avianca Cargo, the operation demonstrates how dedicated freighter capacity can be deployed rapidly during humanitarian emergencies, particularly when large volumes of supplies need to reach affected regions.
Government and humanitarian organisations coordinate response
The operation brought together Avianca Cargo, the Government of Colombia and GEM, with the organisations coordinating the movement and distribution of relief supplies.
Diogo Elias, chief executive officer of Avianca Cargo, said the airline’s logistics infrastructure could play a role beyond its commercial cargo activities during an emergency.
“At times like this, our operation serves a purpose that goes beyond connecting destinations: We want to help ensure aid reaches the communities that need it most,” Elias said.
He thanked the Colombian government and GEM for working with Avianca Cargo on the relief operation.
Michael Capponi, founder and president of Global Empowerment Mission, said the partnership was intended to move critical supplies rapidly from Miami into GEM’s distribution network in Colombia.
“Humanitarian response is ultimately about speed, efficiency and getting the right aid into the hands of families when they need it most,” Capponi said.
He added that GEM would continue supporting affected communities during the longer-term recovery process.
Cargo capacity supports emergency logistics
The relief operation highlights the role of air freight in disaster response, particularly for equipment and essential goods that cannot wait for slower surface transportation.
Generators can be particularly important following earthquakes when electricity infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted. Hygiene supplies and non-perishable food can likewise help address immediate humanitarian needs while local supply chains recover.
Avianca Cargo operates Airbus A330 freighters as part of its dedicated cargo fleet, providing substantial capacity for international freight movements. The airline’s cargo network connects Latin American markets with destinations in North America and Europe, while its passenger network provides additional belly-hold capacity.
The company has previously positioned its cargo operation as an important component of Colombia’s international supply-chain infrastructure.
In the latest operation, the combination of freighter capacity, Miami’s logistics infrastructure and local distribution partners enabled a significant volume of relief supplies to be moved into Colombia within a short timeframe.
Avianca said it would continue supporting communities affected by the emergency as recovery efforts progress.
The operation underscores the importance of flexible air cargo capacity during disasters, when speed and reliable logistics can be critical to getting essential supplies to affected populations.
