Latest news with #Avianca
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Democrats spent thousands in campaign funds to visit illegal Kilmar Abrego Garcia: report
Despite some claiming they spent money out of their own pockets, several Democrats spent thousands in campaign funds to visit illegal alien and alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, according to reporting by the New York Post. Democrats rallied around Abrego Garcia after they claimed he was wrongly deported by the Trump administration to his home country of El Salvador in March. Several Democrats, including representatives Maxwell Frost, D-Fla.; Robert Garcia, D-Calif., Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., Maxine Dexter, D-Ore.; and Glenn Ivey, D-Md., flew to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia's return. The New York Post reported that Frost, Garcia, Ansari and Dexter, all of whom made a joint trip to San Salvador to pressure the Trump administration to return Abrego Garcia April 21, paid for the trip through campaign funding, despite all except Garcia claiming they paid out of pocket. The New York Post wrote that Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show Frost's campaign reported spending $1,362 on Salvadoran-Colombian airline Avianca May 8, about a week after his trip to visit Abrego Garcia. Dexter's campaign similarly reportedly spent $1,315 on travel with Taca Airlines April 18, despite the representative saying he had self-funded the trip. Despite telling a local news outlet she had used her own money for the trip, Ansari's campaign reported in FEC filings that the congresswoman spent $2,616 on travel with Salvadoran airline Avianca the same month she flew to visit Abrego Garcia. Meanwhile, California Democrat Garcia's office confirmed he spent $1,982 on another Salvadoran airline, Taca International Airlines, in April, and an additional $502 for "event space rental" at the Hilton San Salvador, the outlet reported. Ivey, who attempted to visit Abrego Garcia in late May, spent $291 in campaign funds, according to the Post report. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the first Democrat to make the trip and who remained an outspoken voice on Abrego Garcia's behalf, notably did not report any campaign spending for Salvadoran air travel or lodging in mid-April, when he made his trip. Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the U.S. in June, faces charges of human smuggling and conspiracy. According to an indictment, Abrego Garcia played a "significant role" in a human smuggling ring operating for nearly a decade. Attorney General Pam Bondi described him as a full-time smuggler who made more than 100 trips, transporting women, children and MS-13 gang-affiliated persons throughout the U.S. According to police and court records shared with Fox News Digital, Abrego Garcia was arrested in Hyattsville in October 2019, at which point he was identified by the Prince George's County [Maryland] Police Gang Unit as a member of MS-13.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-avianca-airplane-NEWAVIANCARTS0725-60b10082f964414b9b69a9917be3dd5a.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
03-07-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Budget Airline Has New Routes to Latin American Hot Spots Like Cartagena, Cali, and More
Flying to Latin America from the United States just got easier. Avianca Airlines —based in Bogotá, Colombia—announced new seasonal routes between Latin America and various United States cities. Travelers will soon be able to travel non-stop between popular cities such as Cali, Colombia, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, from New York and other major hubs. Additionally, with a network of over 160 destinations, travelers can utilize the new direct routes to further explore other cities in the region. From New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), travelers can get direct access to Colombian cities like Cali (CLO), Cartagena (CTG), Pereira (PEI), and northern Honduran city San Pedro Sula (SAP), among other destinations. ( Travel + Leisure spotted ticket availability for many of the new routes, including $99 one-way tickets from JFK to SAP.) Avianca will also resume a seasonal service between Orlando and Medellin, Colombia (MDE) and between Orlando and El Salvador's capital San Salvador (SAL). The airline also expanded its Miami (MIA) hub with seasonal service to Cali and Cartagena. Other routes include round-trip service between Las Vegas (LAS) and San Salvador, as well as Chicago (ORD) and Guatemala (GUA). All of the flights are now operational, and began service earlier this summer. The flights will operate on an A320, and passengers can view the full flight schedule and book future tickets on Avianca's website. The airline has been on the move with expansion plans throughout the United States, including a recently launched new route from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Colombia's capital city, Bogotá (BOG). 'In 2024, we transported more than 4.6 million passengers to and from the United States on over 30,000 flights. In 2025, our commitment to offering greater connectivity remains strong. That's why, during this peak season from June to August, we're reopening our seasonal routes to provide more nonstop options during peak travel periods,' Rolando Damas, a sales director at Avianca, told Travel + Leisure . Avianca is a member of the Star Alliance network, which means frequent flyers of United Airlines, another Star Alliance member, can earn loyalty points or use their loyalty benefits on Avianca, such as free checked bags or upgrades.
Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
More champagne for travelers as American Airlines expands VIP lounges in Miami
American Airlines wants to make the time customers spend at Miami International Airport more enjoyable. So the carrier announced Wednesday plans to expand its VIP lounges for frequent travelers. Plans include building a new Flagship lounge, the airline's fanciest airport amenity. American will also expand its current Admirals Club lounge. When the project opens, the airline said it will have almost twice the amount of lounge space at MIA. 'The lounge experience plays a key role in enhancing that travel journey, offering a quiet and comfortable respite from the busy terminal,' Juan Carlos Liscando, American's vice president of MIA operations, said in a statement. He described the future area as 'new and improved spaces to relax, work and play.' MORE: Colombian airline Avianca opens new lounge at Miami airport. Take a look This will be American's sixth Flagship lounge. In May, the airline unveiled the lounge at Philadelphia International Airport's Terminal A West. American now offers three VIP lounges at MIA. An Admirals Club lounge is at gate D15. Flagship and Admirals Club lounges are at D30. With the new plans, that Flagship lounge, which opened in 2017, will be converted into an expanded Admirals Club lounge. Meanwhile, the new Flagship lounge will be built from scratch. That space will offer champagne on arrival, local food items and a la carte dining, the airline said. VIP members or day-pass holders can get free food. In recent years, airlines have invested heavily in their frequent flier lounges. In 2024, Delta Air Lines upgraded its VIP lounge at MIA. In March, Avianca and TAP Portugal unveiled a renovated space. American didn't provide a timeline or give details on whether the current lounges will close or be affected once construction starts. The airline also didn't say where the new Flagship lounge would be located at MIA. The moves comes as American is operating its largest summer schedule to date from MIA. In June, the airline started non-stop service to Rome. American has more than 400 peak daily flights from MIA and serves more than 30 million customers a year. The airline is also a large source of work in the region, employing more than 14,500 people at the Miami airport. Offerings at the AA airport lounges The lounges at MIA upon completion will offer: ▪ Comfortable seating where one can 'relax and recharge' ▪ Bar and dining ▪ Spa-style suites with showers ▪ Work stations ▪ Kid-friendly family rooms ▪ High-speed Wi-Fi ▪ Ample power outlets ▪ 'Clearly displayed' flight information screens ▪ Local artwork How to access the VIP lounges ▪ For people traveling within the United States, accessing the Admirals Club or Flagship lounge requires a membership, qualifying 'oneworld' status or the Citi AAdvantage Executive credit card. ▪ Travelers can also buy a day pass, allowing lounge use for 24 hours, for $79, or 7,900 AAdvantage miles for Admirals or a single visit pass for $150, or 15,000 miles for the Flagship lounge.
Travel Weekly
10-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Brazil's Gol emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Brazilian discount carrier Gol has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Gol received $1.9 billion in financing during the 17-month restructuring process and exits bankruptcy with $900 million in liquidity. Abra Group, the owner of Colombia-based Avianca, now controls 80% of Gol stock. The company's shares will be traded on the Brazil stock exchange. Gol is operating six U.S. routes this month, all from secondary Brazilian cities -- four of them to Miami and two to Orlando. The carrier was operating four U.S. routes when it entered Chapter 11 in January 2024, Cirium flight schedule data shows. Gol is the third-largest carrier in Brazil, trailing Azul and Latam. Azul and Gol entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding in January to explore a merger that would make them by far the largest airline in Brazil. Azul began its own Chapter 11 restructuring process late last month.
Miami Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Miami airport is adding new flights and a new place to hang out while waiting
South Florida Miami airport is adding new flights and a new place to hang out while waiting Miami International Airport is seeing new changes for travelers this year. Arajet now offers nonstop flights from Miami to Dominican Republic cities such as Punta Cana and Santo Domingo on new Boeing 737 Max 8 jets. American Airlines and JetBlue also add new routes, connecting travelers to places like La Romana and Guayaquil. For comfort while waiting, Avianca has opened a renovated lounge in Concourse J with food, Wi-Fi, and workspaces. Take a look at the offerings for travelers going through Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Arajet 737-8 takes off, June 10, 2024 NO. 1: LOW-COST AIRLINE ADDS A NEW ROUTE FROM MIAMI TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. HERE ARE DETAILS What to know about the new service, when it starts, what it costs. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha Avianca opens a new lounge at the J Terminal in Miami, Florida. The lounge features a playroom, business center, food bar, and large windows, aimed at enhancing the travel experience for passengers at Miami International Airport. By Carl Juste NO. 2: COLOMBIAN AIRLINE AVIANCA OPENS NEW LOUNGE AT MIAMI AIRPORT. TAKE A LOOK Come learn details and see images of new lounge at MIA | Published March 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha JetBlue planes wait at the gate at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2020. By Mark Konezny NO. 3: JETBLUE JUST ADDED 2 ROUTES AT FLL FOR YOUR SUMMER TRAVEL. SEE FLIGHT DETAILS The details on where and when. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
