Connecting Central America and beyond with reliability.
Founded
1931
Headquarters
San Jose, Costa Rica
Grupo TACA was a Central American airline group that served as the holding company for several regional carriers, including TACA International Airlines, Avianca El Salvador, and others operating across Central America and beyond. The group was headquartered in San Jose, Costa Rica, and became one of the dominant aviation forces in the region during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The group grew through acquisitions and partnerships, absorbing carriers such as LACSA of Costa Rica, NICA of Nicaragua, AVIATECA of Guatemala, and ISLEÑA of Honduras, creating a unified regional network. Grupo TACA operated routes throughout the Americas, including service to North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
In 2009, Grupo TACA and Colombia's Avianca announced a merger agreement, which was completed by 2013, forming the Avianca Holdings conglomerate. The TACA brand was gradually phased out, and operations were consolidated under the Avianca name, ending Grupo TACA's independent existence after decades of regional aviation leadership.
Hubs & network
Primary hubs included El Salvador International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose.
Fleet
Grupo TACA operated a modern fleet composed primarily of Airbus A319, A320, and A321 narrowbody aircraft, along with Airbus A330 widebodies for longer routes.
Notable facts
- ›Grupo TACA was formed through the consolidation of several Central American carriers including LACSA, AVIATECA, NICA, and ISLEÑA.
- ›The TACA brand traces its origins to 1931 when it was founded in Honduras by New Zealander Lowell Yerex.
- ›In 2013, Grupo TACA merged with Avianca of Colombia to form Avianca Holdings, one of Latin America's largest airline groups.
- ›At its peak, Grupo TACA served over 40 destinations across the Americas.
- ›The group was known for its strong safety record and modernization of its fleet with Airbus aircraft.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
