Tampa Cargo
A Colombian scheduled cargo airline, now operating as Avianca Cargo, specializing in freight services across the Americas from its Medellín base.
About Tampa Cargo
Tampa Cargo was founded in Colombia in 1973 as Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles PanAmericanos. The specialist freight airline became part of the Avianca group after being acquired by Avianca in 2008 and was renamed Avianca Cargo in 2013. Although the Tampa Cargo name remains familiar within aviation and logistics circles, current services are marketed under the Avianca Cargo identity. Its operations focus on transporting commercial freight rather than carrying passengers.
The airline's principal operating base is José María Córdova International Airport near Medellín, with Bogotá and Miami also playing important roles in its cargo network. Flights connect production and distribution centres across Colombia with markets elsewhere in Latin America and the United States. The network has historically emphasized routes linking major cities in the Andean region, Central America, Mexico and South America with Miami, an important international freight gateway.
Avianca Cargo primarily operates Airbus A330 freighters, an aircraft family suited to medium- and long-haul cargo missions. These dedicated freighters accommodate palletized and containerized shipments rather than passenger cabins, so conventional economy, premium economy and business classes are not offered. Cargo products cover general merchandise as well as shipments requiring additional handling, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, live animals, valuable goods and oversized freight, subject to route-specific acceptance requirements.
As a dedicated freight operator, Tampa Cargo does not participate independently in Star Alliance, Oneworld or SkyTeam. Its parent airline, Avianca, belongs to Star Alliance and operates the LifeMiles loyalty programme, but those passenger benefits generally do not apply to cargo bookings. Freight services are instead arranged through cargo sales offices, logistics companies and forwarding agents, with pricing determined by weight, volume, routing, handling needs and available aircraft capacity.
A key strength is the airline's experience moving time-sensitive exports, particularly flowers and other perishables, between Latin America and North American markets. Its dedicated freighter fleet also allows it to carry shipments that would be unsuitable for passenger-aircraft holds. Travellers should note, however, that Tampa Cargo is not a passenger airline: schedules, capacity and destinations may change with commercial freight demand, and its flights cannot ordinarily be booked as passenger journeys.
Good to know
Flying with Tampa Cargo — what to expect
Cargo Flights Only
Tampa Cargo, now branded Avianca Cargo, operates freight services rather than scheduled passenger flights. Passenger seats and normal airline tickets are not available.
Special Handling Options
The carrier handles general cargo and may accept perishables, pharmaceuticals, live animals or oversized shipments. Acceptance rules, documentation and temperature-control options depend on the route and commodity.
Book Through Cargo Channels
Shipments are normally arranged with Avianca Cargo, an authorized sales office or a freight forwarder. Rates depend on chargeable weight, dimensions, routing and handling requirements.
Confirm Current Schedules
Freighter schedules can change according to seasonal demand and available capacity. Confirm the operating date and connection plan before committing time-sensitive cargo.
Allow Customs Time
International consignments require complete customs and security documentation. Build clearance time into the itinerary, particularly when a shipment connects through more than one country.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Tampa Cargo
Notable destinations on Tampa Cargo's network.
Destination list is indicative of Tampa Cargo's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Colombia
Other airlines based in Colombia
FAQ
Tampa Cargo — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- José María Córdova International Airport near Medellín is its main operating base. Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport and Miami International Airport are also prominent departure and connection points.
- A fixed destination total is difficult to state because cargo schedules and commercially served stations can change with demand. Consult Avianca Cargo's current network information for the latest available routes.
- The longest operating sector can vary as Avianca Cargo adjusts its freighter schedule and network. Check the current timetable or ask a cargo representative for the longest available nonstop routing.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Tampa Cargo is a freight operator, however, so cargo rates generally require a separate quotation from Avianca Cargo or a freight forwarder.
- Tampa Cargo does not sell passenger plane tickets. Freight prices vary with shipment size, route, season, handling requirements and available capacity, so shippers should request a cargo quotation.
- Tampa Cargo does not carry passengers, so it has no passenger carry-on allowance. Every consignment is handled under cargo weight, dimension, packaging and documentation rules.
- Operating today as Avianca Cargo, the airline serves cargo markets across the Americas. Its network has included major centres in Colombia, the United States, the Andean region, Mexico and southern South America.
- Tampa Cargo's principal base is José María Córdova International Airport near Medellín, Colombia. Bogotá and Miami are also important points in its freight operation.