Intercontinental de Aviación
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA defunct Colombian regional airline that evolved from the cargo carrier Aeropesca Colombia and operated domestic and limited international services until 2005.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Intercontinental de Aviación S.A., commonly operating under the name INTER, was a Colombian regional airline headquartered in Bogotá. Its principal hub was El Dorado International Airport, with a secondary hub at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali. The carrier served a broad network of Colombian cities and, at different points in its history, operated scheduled or charter services to nearby countries including Cuba, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. The business began on October 16, 1960, as Aeropesca Colombia. Its first activity was the transportation of fish and other cargo rather than passenger travel. By 1965, Aeropesca had expanded into charter flying outside Colombia, using aircraft such as the Curtiss C-46 Commando. It entered the passenger market in late 1971 with two Vickers Viscounts acquired from Aloha Airlines. The company’s early history was marked by several serious accidents, which contributed to a change in ownership and corporate identity. In 1982, a new shareholder group renamed the airline Intercontinental de Aviación and introduced a new image. At that stage, the operation was small, with one Vickers Viscount and a Curtiss C-46 in service. The carrier subsequently acquired a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 and another Viscount, and on June 3, 1983, began operating westbound services from Bogotá. A further ownership change in 1986 was followed by a period of expansion. Intercontinental increasingly positioned itself as a competitor to Colombia’s established carriers Avianca and SAM. The airline began international operations in 1991. Its fleet was expanded with additional DC-9-15 aircraft and two de Havilland Canada DHC-8 turboprops. It also attempted to differentiate its service through Executive Class and VIP lounges in Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and Barranquilla. The network connected major Colombian cities with regional destinations, including Havana, Esmeraldas, Tulcán, Panama City, and San Antonio del Táchira. Intercontinental faced regulatory and financial pressures in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In March 1999, Colombia’s civil aviation authority temporarily suspended its operating certificate amid disputes concerning airport and landing fees. In October 2000, the airline sought to modernize its fleet through planned purchases of Beechcraft 1900D aircraft and two Boeing 737-300s, but neither aircraft type entered service with the carrier. The company’s final decline was connected to allegations of cartel financing and control. On October 14, 2004, the United States Department of the Treasury identified Intercontinental as being financed and controlled by people associated with Colombia’s Norte del Valle cartel and placed it on a sanctions blacklist alongside other businesses. In February 2005, the Colombian government seized the airline, and the six aircraft then associated with the operation were permanently immobilized. Intercontinental ceased operations in 2005 and is now a defunct airline. Its history combines the development of regional Colombian air transport, a transition from cargo to passenger services, repeated fleet changes, major safety incidents, regulatory disputes, and a final collapse under sanctions and government seizure.
History
Intercontinental de Aviación originated as Aeropesca Colombia, founded on October 16, 1960. The company initially transported fish and general cargo, reflecting the importance of air freight in connecting Colombia’s difficult terrain and dispersed markets. By 1965 it had begun operating charter flights beyond Colombia, including operations with the Curtiss C-46 Commando. Passenger services were introduced in late 1971 with two Vickers Viscounts obtained from Aloha Airlines. The Aeropesca period included several serious accidents and operational setbacks. In 1982, following the airline’s accident history and a change in ownership, shareholders reorganized the business under the name Intercontinental de Aviación and introduced a new corporate identity. The new company initially operated a limited fleet, including a Vickers Viscount and a Curtiss C-46. It later acquired a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 and another Viscount, commencing services from Bogotá toward western Colombia on June 3, 1983. Another change in shareholders occurred in 1986. During the following years Intercontinental developed from a small regional operator into a more substantial competitor to Avianca and SAM. It expanded its domestic network, added DC-9 aircraft, and introduced de Havilland DHC-8 turboprops for regional routes. International services began in 1991, linking Colombia with selected destinations in neighboring countries and Cuba. The carrier also promoted Executive Class and airport VIP lounges in Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and Barranquilla as higher-service features. Its scheduled network included Bogotá and Cali as principal operating bases, together with cities such as Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Cúcuta, Medellín, Pereira, San Andrés, Pasto, Popayán, Neiva, Riohacha, and Valledupar. International destinations listed for the airline included Havana, Esmeraldas, Tulcán, Panama City, and San Antonio del Táchira. Fleet types used over the broader Aeropesca and Intercontinental history included the Consolidated PBY Catalina, Curtiss C-46 Commando, Lockheed 18 Lodestar, Lockheed Ventura, Vickers Viscount, McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15, Boeing 727-100, and Bombardier Dash 8 Q300. The carrier’s growth was interrupted by regulatory and commercial problems. In March 1999, the Colombian civil aviation authority temporarily suspended its operating certificate amid a dispute over airport and landing fees. In 2000, Intercontinental attempted to modernize its fleet with Beechcraft 1900Ds and two Boeing 737-300s, although these aircraft did not enter its operational fleet. The decisive crisis came in 2004. On October 14, the U.S. Department of the Treasury publicly identified Intercontinental as allegedly financed and controlled by members of the Norte del Valle cartel and blacklisted it under sanctions targeting suspected drug-trafficking-linked businesses. The Colombian government seized the airline in February 2005 and permanently immobilized its six aircraft. Operations ended in 2005, making Intercontinental de Aviación a defunct Colombian airline.
- 2005
Seizure and closure
[1]Colombia seized the airline, immobilized its remaining aircraft, and the carrier ceased operations.
- 2004
U.S. sanctions designation
[1]The U.S. Treasury identified alleged Norte del Valle cartel financing and control and placed the airline on a related blacklist.
- 1999
Operating certificate suspended
[1]The Colombian civil aviation authority temporarily suspended the carrier during a dispute involving airport and landing fees.
- 1991
International scheduled services begin
[1]The airline expanded beyond Colombia and continued fleet growth with DC-9 aircraft and two DHC-8 turboprops.
- 1986
Further ownership change and expansion
[1]A new shareholder change preceded a period in which Intercontinental consolidated its position as a Colombian airline competitor.
- 1983
New Bogotá-based westbound operation
[1]On June 3, the renamed airline began operating from Bogotá toward western Colombia after adding DC-9 and Viscount aircraft.
- 1982
Rebranding as Intercontinental de Aviación
[1]After a change in shareholders, Aeropesca Colombia adopted the Intercontinental de Aviación name and a new visual identity.
- 1971
Entry into passenger aviation
[1]Passenger services began in late 1971 using two Vickers Viscount aircraft acquired from Aloha Airlines.
- 1965
International charter activity begins
[1]Aeropesca expanded beyond Colombia with charter operations, including the use of Curtiss C-46 aircraft.
- 1960
Aeropesca Colombia founded
[1]The company was established on October 16, 1960, initially focusing on fish and general cargo transportation.
Products and positioning
A Colombian regional carrier positioned as an expanding alternative to Avianca and SAM, combining domestic trunk and regional routes with turboprop and narrow-body jet operations.
Airline network · 1971
Domestic scheduled passenger services
Intercontinental’s core business was scheduled passenger transportation within Colombia. Its network connected Bogotá and Cali with major regional cities and airports including Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Cúcuta, Medellín, Pereira, San Andrés, Pasto, Popayán, Neiva, Riohacha, and Valledupar. The network used a mixture of regional turboprops and narrow-body jets.
International passenger aviation · 1991
Regional international services
From 1991, the airline operated international services from Colombia to selected destinations in the surrounding region. Listed destinations included Havana in Cuba; Esmeraldas and Tulcán in Ecuador; Panama City; and San Antonio del Táchira in Venezuela.
Air freight and charter aviation · 1960
Cargo and charter operations
The company began as a cargo operator transporting fish and other goods under the Aeropesca Colombia name. It later added charter activity outside Colombia, including the use of Curtiss C-46 aircraft, before becoming primarily associated with scheduled passenger services.
Passenger service
Executive Class and VIP lounges
During its expansion period, Intercontinental introduced Executive Class service and VIP lounges at airports in Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and Barranquilla. These offerings were intended to give the regional carrier a more differentiated service proposition against larger Colombian competitors.
Controversies
2004
Alleged Norte del Valle cartel links
The U.S. Department of the Treasury stated that Intercontinental was financed and controlled by members of the Norte del Valle cartel and added the airline to a blacklist of businesses linked to suspected drug trafficking. The designation was followed by Colombian government seizure of the company in 2005.
Brand decisions
2000
Attempted fleet modernizationGeneration changeBackground
The airline sought to replace or supplement its aging regional and narrow-body fleet.
Action taken
It pursued Beechcraft 1900D aircraft and two Boeing 737-300s.
Aftermath
Neither aircraft type entered operational service with Intercontinental.
1991
Expansion into international routesStrategyBackground
After building a domestic presence and positioning itself against Avianca and SAM, the airline sought additional regional markets.
Action taken
Intercontinental began international operations and continued acquiring DC-9 and DHC-8 aircraft.
Aftermath
The carrier served a limited set of destinations in Cuba, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela.
1982
Rebrand from Aeropesca to Intercontinental de AviaciónStrategyBackground
Following accidents and a change in shareholders, the company required a new corporate identity and repositioning.
Action taken
Shareholders changed the airline’s name and image to Intercontinental de Aviación.
Aftermath
The renamed company continued passenger operations and expanded its fleet and network during the 1980s and 1990s.
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