In September 1920 SCADTA, later to be known as AVIANCA, undertook its first seaplane flight into the interior of Colombia up the Magdalena River to the town of Puerto Berrio, a journey of 700 km that took a total of 6 days. Aboard today's modern jet, that same distance is covered in just over an hour.
SCADTA grew their business by flying along the Magdalena and also extended their services along the Caribbean coast. They were the pioneers of air transport in Colombia and, today, only the Dutch KLM has been in the market longer. However, these magnificent machines slowly passed into history preserved only in grainy black and white images not to be considered again for a long time until the arrival of new pioneers.
In February 2020, exactly 100 years after the SCADTA pioneers arrived in Colombia, a new group began investigating the opportunities that seaplane travel could bring back to the country.
Alma Air seeks to bring the majesty of seaplane travel back to Colombia's coasts, islands, rivers and lakes in the near future. The certification and regulatory process is ongoing and we will bring you further updates on our progress as we get them.
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Press Articles (Spanish)
The return of seaplanes to Colombia on commercial flights is now a reality: you will be able to fly between Medellín and Guatapé in 20 minutes
Date: October 7, 2026
Colombia's shortest flight is born: Medellín and Guatapé, prices and schedules
Date: October 6, 2026
Alma Air begins flying the Medellín–Guatapé route
Date: October 5, 2026
Seaplane flights between Medellín and Guatapé have begun: the reservoir will be just 17 minutes away
Date: October 5, 2026
A milestone for tourism! Alma Air began amphibious operations between Medellín, El Peñol and Guatapé
Date: October 4, 2026
Irish-founded Alma Air joins relief work in Colombia after devastating quake
Fecha: 14 de agosto de 2026
Alma Air, Ambulancias Aéreas y Terpel se unen a cooperación tras el terremoto
Fecha: 14 de agosto de 2026
Alma Air, Ambulancias Aéreas de Colombia y Terpel se alían para responder con vuelos humanitarios al terremoto en Colombia
Fecha: 14 de agosto de 2026
Alma Air, Ambulancias Aéreas de Colombia y Terpel unen capacidades para atender emergencia por terremoto
Fecha: 12 de agosto de 2026
First pilot seaplane flight conducted between Medellin and Ayapel
Date: September 23, 2025
