Avianca is seeking to broaden its network between Ecuador and the U.S. with the launch of a new route to Orlando, Florida.

The airline has applied to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) for an amended foreign air carrier permit that will allow it offer flights from points behind Ecuador and via Ecuador to any destination in the U.S. and beyond.

Specifically, the carrier wants to operate a nonstop route linking Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) with Orlando International Airport (MCO) during the winter 2023-24 season. Flights will be onboard Airbus A320 aircraft.

Avianca has authority to serve New York and Miami from Ecuador at present and currently serves New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from both UIO and Guayaquil (GYE), flying 5X-weekly and 6X-weekly, respectively, using a mix of A320s and A32neos.

The DOT application says the Star Alliance member plans to continue operating GYE-JFK during the forthcoming northern winter season, alongside the planned UIO-MCO route.

Ecuador and the U.S. signed a bilateral open skies agreement in November 2022, enabling the expansion of passenger and freight services between the countries. Negotiations concluded in December 2021 following several years of talks.

“With the new air service agreement now in place between the U.S. and Ecuador, Avianca Ecuador seeks expanded rights as to enable it to serve additional points in the U.S. and with more flexibility to react to changing market demands,” the airline’s application to the DOT says.

Avianca launched flights between GYE and JFK in December 2021 and added UIO-JFK in June 2023. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows the UIO-MCO market is currently unserved, although JetBlue operates UIO-Fort Lauderdale, Florida, daily, while American Airlines and LATAM Airlines Group serve Quito-Miami 2X-daily and daily, respectively.