Avianca has announced a leadership transition that will see Gabriel Oliva appointed as President of Avianca Group while continuing in his role as Chief Operating Officer, a move approved by the airline’s board to support an orderly handover ahead of CEO Frederico Pedreira’s departure on February 28, 2026.
Pedreira will remain in his position until that date to ensure continuity, after leading the airline through five years of financial and operational restructuring.
The company said the new President role is intended to strengthen its executive structure as it enters a new phase of growth. The decision follows a period in which Avianca expanded its network to more than 160 routes and 80 destinations, transported over 38 million passengers in 2024 and improved its operational efficiency under Pedreira’s leadership.
Leadership transition and expanded structure
Pedreira joined Avianca in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer before becoming Deputy CEO and later CEO, overseeing a wide-ranging transformation program. In the announcement, he said, “Leading Avianca has been an extraordinary honor and quite a journey. I am immensely proud of what our team has accomplished together and the company we become. I am profoundly grateful for the dedication, for believing in our purpose and for making the ordinary extraordinary. I am confident that, under Gabriel’s leadership and with the incredible team we have, Avianca will continue to grow and reach new heights.”
Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group, which includes Avianca, said the transition reflects a succession strategy designed to reinforce the airline’s long-term performance. “We continue to strengthen Avianca’s leadership team while simultaneously executing the succession plan designed for our talent. I want to thank Fred for his leadership and the transformation he has led, and welcome Gabriel as President to continue that momentum. We are confident that, as a team, we will continue to strengthen our performance indicators, as well as the product and service offered to our customers, ensuring they continue to choose us for their travels. Avianca enters this new phase from a position of strength and stability.”
Experience and role of incoming President
Roberto Kriete, Board Member of Abra Group and Chairman of Avianca’s Board, said Pedreira’s work “made it more efficient, competitive, and connected,” and added, “We’re excited about the future that lies ahead for Avianca, and we warmly welcome Gabriel in his new role.” Constantino de Oliveira Junior, Executive Chairman of Abra Group’s Board, said, “Fred has played an essential role in Avianca’s transformation. He leaves behind a legacy of results, discipline, and purpose that will continue to shape Avianca’s future. We thank him sincerely for his contributions and wish him continued success in the next chapter of his journey. I’m delighted to welcome Gabriel as President.”
Oliva joined Avianca in 2021 as CEO of Avianca Cargo, where he repositioned the business as a regional leader before becoming COO. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, including 14 in aviation, he has overseen operational safety, efficiency and customer experience at the airline. Upon accepting the new role, he said, “I am very grateful, excited, and motivated by this appointment. Together with Avianca’s more than 15,000 team members, we will continue strengthening this company, hand in hand with Abra Group, enhancing our leadership in the region and ensuring that passengers keep choosing us. A special thanks to Fred for all his dedication and leadership throughout these years.”
Avianca stated it remains focused on executing its strategic plan, maintaining consistent results and serving millions of travelers across Latin America and beyond. The airline, a member of Star Alliance, currently operates more than 700 daily flights with a fleet of 140 aircraft, connecting destinations in 25 countries throughout the Americas and Europe. In 2024, Avianca transported nearly 38 million customers and operated more than 258,000 flights, while its LifeMiles loyalty program reached more than 14 million members.
The company said the leadership transition supports its long-term strategy to strengthen performance, optimize operations and maintain reliability for passengers. With Oliva assuming expanded responsibilities effective immediately and Pedreira set to remain CEO until late February, Avianca’s management said the airline is positioned to enter 2026 with stability and a unified leadership team.
