West Caribbean Airways S.A. (abbreviated as WCA) was a commercial airline founded in December 1998 with its headquarters at Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín, Colombia[1] after moving there from San Andres Island in 2001.

[2] The company was founded on December 29, 1998, by Colombian businessman Hassan Tannir and began operations on November 13, 1999.

The airline expanded very rapidly, and acquired three McDonnell Douglas MD-80s which operated various international and regional routes.

Due to its 2004 losses, the civil aviation authority began close monitoring of West Caribbean Airways's finances in May, though it was stated that the airline was fulfilling its commitments.

A month later, crew members indicated to passengers that the airline would remain on the ground due to the poor economic conditions and that it did not have the ability to meet its financial obligations.