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Conviasa

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Línea Aérea Conviasa S.A.
IATA ICAO Callsign
V0 VCV CONVIASA
FoundedMarch 31, 2004;20 years ago(March 31, 2004)
Commenced operationsNovember 28, 2004;19 years ago(November 28, 2004)
HubsSimón Bolívar International Airport
Secondary hubsSantiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programInfinito
SubsidiariesEmtrasur Cargo
Fleet size30
Destinations36
Parent companyMinistry of Aquatic and Air Transport
HeadquartersMaiquetía,Venezuela
Key peopleRamón Araguayan (CEO)
FounderHugo Chávez
Websitewww.conviasa.aero

Línea Aérea Conviasa(legallyConsorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos[2]) is a Venezuelan airline with its headquarters on the grounds ofSimón Bolívar International AirportinMaiquetía,Venezuela,nearCaracas.[3]It is theflag carrierand largest airline ofVenezuela,operating services to domestic destinations and destinations in the Caribbean and South America. Conviasa is known to make routes from a political perspective rather than a financial standpoint.[4]

History

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A former Conviasade Havilland Canada Dash 7approachingPiarco International Airportin 2006

In January 1997, Venezuela's formerflag carrier,Viasa,ceased operations after 37 years of service due to prolonged financial problems. In May 2001, the idea to create a new flag carrier for Venezuela was proposed, but in December 2002, the project was put on hold until October 1, 2003. On March 31, 2004, thenPresident of Venezuela,Hugo Chávez,signed a decree that formally established the airline. This decree was published in the nation's official gazette the next day.

On November 28, 2004, Conviasa's inaugural flight was made with aDe Havilland Canada Dash 7flying from the airport in Charallave to theSantiago Mariño International Airport,onMargarita Island.On December 10, 2004, Conviasa formally began its national and international operations. Conviasa was originally run by the now defunct Ministry of Production and Commerce, but it has since been taken over by the Ministry of Infrastructure.[5]

In March 2007,Iran Airbegan a route from Caracas to Tehran via Damascus under acodeshare agreementwith Conviasa.[6][7]Conviasa took it over seven months later.[8]The flight was usually less than half-full and primarily carried Syrian Venezuelans, Iranian businesspeople and Venezuelan officials.[9]One of the company's executives stated that the service mainly existed for political reasons; Venezuela had warm relations with Iran and Syria.[6][9]Some people raised concerns about the route. In 2008, the Italian newspaperLa Stampasaid Iran was using the flight to transport missile parts to Syria, enabling it to evadeUnited Nations sanctions.[10]President Chávez described the report as American propaganda.[11]Additionally, the United States, which deemed Iran and Syria state sponsors of terrorism, suspected the immigration and customs checks that passengers underwent were lax.[12][13]The Venezuelan government responded that Conviasa was running an ordinary commercial flight and that travelers were subject to standard controls. As of 2010, it was uncertain whether the carrier still flew to Tehran.[12]

Conviasa's firstAirbus A340-200taxiing atJosé María Córdova International Airportin 2010

Following the crash ofFlight 2350on September 17, 2010, the government of Venezuela grounded all Conviasa flights so that it could perform a technical review of the airline's fleet. The airline said that the temporary suspension would remain in effect until October 1, 2010. Flights were then re-instated.

On April 3, 2012, Conviasa wasbanned from flying to countries in the European Unionbecause of safety concerns. It said that Conviasa failed to show it had taken adequate steps to prevent future accidents.[14]In August 2012, the carrier ended its nonstop service to Damascus.[15]The European Union lifted its restriction on Conviasa on July 10, 2013.[16]

In September 2012, Conviasa took delivery of their firstEmbraer 190.[17]Twenty aircraft were ordered, but only received 15, and oneEmbraer Lineage 1000.[18]

Conviasa is under the authority of theMinistry of Aquatic and Air Transport.[19]The airline is owned by the Venezuelan government (80%) and the regional government ofNueva Esparta(20%). Conviasa has its headquarters on the grounds ofSimón Bolívar International AirportinMaiquetía,Venezuela,nearCaracas.[20][21]Originally Conviasa had its headquarters onMargarita Island.[22]At one time Conviasa had its headquarters in the East Tower of Parque Central inCaracas.[23]

In August 2016, it was reported that over 80 percent of Conviasa pilots quit their jobs due to low and outstanding payments. The airline subsequently had to reduce operations to around 16 flights per day. Additionally, several of the company's aircraft have been stored unused for several months.[24]

On May 5, 2017, Conviasa was forced to suspend all international operations due to a lack of foreign currency to pay for international aircraft insurance.[25]Also in May 2017,Wamos Airterminated its contract with Conviasa on short notice.[26]Wamos Air operated a singleBoeing 747-400for Conviasa between Caracas andMadrid.[25]In autumn 2019, Conviasa started again many early terminated international routes back for its network.

On February 7, 2020, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control ( "OFAC" ) added Conviasa and its fleet of 40 aircraft to theSpecially Designated Nationalslist. In practice, this makes it extremely unlikely that Conviasa could source replacement parts for its fleet of airworthy and grounded B737 aircraft. Additionally, US Nationals are prohibited from flying on Conviasa's domestic and international flights. Finally, to the extent that other countries abide by OFAC policy, those countries (Brazil, France, UK) will refuse to sell Conviasa replacement parts for Embraer and Airbus aircraft, prohibit its nationals from flying Conviasa, and will cancel Conviasa-serviced routes to their respective countries (Panama, Mexico, Bolivia, and Ecuador).[27]

In July 2020, Conviasa bought a 23-year oldAirbus A340-300to supplement its single A340-200, as well as to reinforce air cargo and long radius.[citation needed]In March and June 2022, Conviasa received two 20-year oldAirbus A340-600sas part of the company's fleet expansion, also announcing that it will receive an A340-500 in the following months.[citation needed]This means Conviasa will be the only commercial operator that operates all models of the Airbus A340.[citation needed]

Destinations

[edit]

As of June 2024,Conviasa serves the following scheduled destinations:[28]

Country City Airport Notes Refs
Algeria Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport [29]
Argentina Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport Suspended [30]
Aruba Oranjestad Queen Beatrix International Airport Terminated
Barbados Bridgetown Grantley Adams International Airport [31]
Bolivia Santa Cruz de la Sierra Viru Viru International Airport
Brazil Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport [32]
Chile Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport Suspended [30]
China Guangzhou Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Resumes October 27, 2024 [33]
Colombia Bogotá El Dorado International Airport Terminated
Cuba Havana José Martí International Airport [34]
Dominica Roseau Douglas–Charles Airport Terminated
Dominican Republic Santo Domingo Las Americas International Airport Terminated
Ecuador Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport [35]
Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport [35]
Grenada St. George's Maurice Bishop International Airport Terminated
Iran Tehran Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport Suspended [36]
Mexico Cancún Cancún International Airport
Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport
Toluca Toluca International Airport Terminated
Nicaragua Managua Augusto C. Sandino International Airport Focus city [37]
Panama Panama City Tocumen International Airport Terminated
Peru Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport Terminated
Qatar Doha Hamad International Airport Terminated [38]
Russia Moscow Vnukovo International Airport [34][39]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kingstown Argyle International Airport [40]
Spain Madrid Madrid–Barajas Airport Terminated
Syria Damascus Damascus International Airport Suspended [41]
Trinidad and Tobago Port of Spain Piarco International Airport Terminated
Venezuela Acarigua Oswaldo Guevara Mujica Airport
Barcelona General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport
Barinas Barinas Airport [42]
Barquisimeto Jacinto Lara International Airport
Cabimas Oro Negro Airport Terminated
Canaima Canaima Airport
Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport Hub
Carúpano General José Francisco Bermúdez Airport
Ciudad Guayana Manuel Carlos Piar Guayana Airport
Coche Island Andrés Miguel Salazar Marcano Airport Terminated
Coro José Leonardo Chirino Airport Terminated
Cumaná Antonio José de Sucre Airport
El Vigía Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo Airport
Gran Roque Los Roques Airport
La Fría La Fría Airport
Las Piedras Josefa Camejo International Airport
Maracaibo La Chinita International Airport Focus city
Maturín José Tadeo Monagas International Airport
Mérida Alberto Carnevalli Airport
Porlamar Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport Hub
Puerto Ayacucho Cacique Aramare Airport [43]
Puerto Cabello General Bartolomé Salom Airport Terminated
San Antonio del Táchira Juan Vicente Gómez International Airport [44]
San Fernando de Apure Las Flecheras Airport [45]
Santa Elena de Uairén Santa Elena de Uairén Airport Terminated
Santo Domingo Mayor Buenaventura Vivas Airport
San Tomé San Tomé Airport
Tucupita San Rafael Airport Terminated
Valencia Arturo Michelena International Airport
Valera Dr. Antonio Nicolás Briceño Airport [46]

Codeshare agreements

[edit]

Conviasa has codeshares agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet

[edit]

Current

[edit]
ConviasaATR 42-400
ConviasaEmbraer 190
ConviasaAirbus A340-300
ConviasaAirbus A340-600

As of July 2024,the Conviasa fleet includes the following aircraft:[49][50]

Conviasa fleet
Aircraft In
service 		Orders Passengers Notes[51]
F C Y Total
Airbus A340-200 2 — TBA One leased fromMahan Air[52]
Airbus A340-300 1 — 8 28 219 255
Airbus A340-600 3 — – 45 263 308 Leased fromMahan Air
ATR 42-400 1 — – – 48 48
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan 6 — – – 12 12 Operating underConviasa Regionalbanner[53]
Embraer 190 15 — – – 104 104 8 aircraft parked.
Government fleet
Airbus ACJ319 1 — VIP Operating for theGovernment of Venezuela
Embraer Lineage 1000 1 — VIP
Total 30 —

Former

[edit]

Conviasa had in the past operated the following aircraft:[49]

Conviasa former fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Airbus A330-200 1 2015 2015 Leased fromHi Fly[50]
Airbus A330-300 1 2015 2015 Leased fromAirAsia X[54]
ATR 42-300 2 2006 2010
ATR 72-200 3 2007 2013
Boeing 737-200 10 2004 2012
1 2019 2019 Operated for theGovernment of Venezuela
Boeing 737-300 4 2005 2016
Boeing 747-400 2 2015 2017 Leased fromWamos Air
Boeing 767-300ER 1 2014 2015 Operated byBlue Panorama Airlines[55]
Bombardier CRJ700 4 2009 2019 Leased fromPDVSA
De Havilland Canada Dash 7 2 2004 2010

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On August 13, 2012, Conviasa Flight 2197, anATR 72-200(registered YV2421), made a high-speed aborted takeoff resulting in a runway excursion close to a ravine. All 67 occupants on board sustained minor injuries, while the aircraft sustained minor damage.[61]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^"Maracaibo La Chinita Airport Profile - CAPA - Centre for Aviation".Centreforaviation.
  2. ^"Corporate MailArchivedMay 27, 2017, at theWayback Machine."Conviasa. Retrieved on May 22, 2017.Spanish page
  3. ^"Directory: World Airlines".Flight International.April 3, 2007. p. 68.
  4. ^"Conviasa anuncia vuelos entre Venezuela y Siria"[Conviasa announces flights between Venezuela and Syria].Aviacionline(in Spanish). March 3, 2023.RetrievedMarch 3,2023.
  5. ^[1]ArchivedApril 14, 2008, at theWayback Machine
  6. ^abRomero, Simon (March 3, 2007)."Venezuela and Iran Strengthen Ties With Caracas-to-Tehran Flight".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2023.RetrievedNovember 30,2021.
  7. ^Spaeth, Andreas (June 17, 2007)."Nach Diktatur verreist"[Traveled after dictatorship].Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung(in German). Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2007.RetrievedApril 10,2023.
  8. ^"La compañía venezolana Conviasa inaugura la ruta Caracas-Teherán con escala en Damasco"[The Venezuelan company Conviasa inaugurates the Caracas-Tehran route with a stopover in Damascus].Notimérica(in Spanish). October 7, 2007.RetrievedApril 9,2023.
  9. ^abPrimera, Maye (November 23, 2009)."Caracas-Damasco-Teherán, un vuelo de lo más misterioso"[Caracas-Damascus-Tehran, a most mysterious flight].El País(in Spanish). Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2016.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
  10. ^Molinari, Maurizio (December 21, 2008). "Pact Between Caracas and Tehran: Airplanes in Return for Weapons".La Stampa.Translated by the BBC.ProQuest458647340.
  11. ^"Venezuela Denies Ferrying Iranian Missile Parts To Syria".Dow Jones Institutional News.Agence France-Presse. December 23, 2008.ProQuest2241570128.
  12. ^abMcConnell, Dugald; Todd, Brian (August 21, 2010)."Venezuela defends controversial flights to Iran and Syria".CNN.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
  13. ^"Chapter 2. Country Reports: Western Hemisphere Overview".Country Reports on Terrorism 2008.United States Department of State. April 30, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2009.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
  14. ^Neuman, William (April 4, 2012)."Venezuela: Airline Banned by Europe".The New York Times.
  15. ^"Conviasa resumes Syria service from late-May 2023".AeroRoutes.March 25, 2023.RetrievedJuly 27,2023.
  16. ^"EU Removes Philippine Air, Conviasa From Access Blacklist"Bloomberg, 10 July 2013
  17. ^"First EMB-190 delivered to Conviasa on September 21".Ch-aviation.September 21, 2012.
  18. ^"Conviasa Orders 20 New Embraer 190 Jets, Hints at US Flights".nycaviation.July 31, 2012.
  19. ^"Organigrama."()Ministry of Aquatic and Air Transport.Retrieved on April 17, 2012.
  20. ^"Contacts."Conviasa. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.[dead link]
  21. ^"Sede Principal[permanent dead link]."Conviasa. Retrieved on May 9, 2010." Av. Intercomunal Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetía Edf. Sector 6.3, Zona Estratégica, Lado Este del Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetía, Adyacente a Tránsito Terrestre. Venezuela. "
  22. ^Bloomberg Newsand Wire Reports. "GLOBAL BUSINESS."South Florida Sun.March 12, 2004. 3D. Retrieved on May 9, 2010. "Conviasa which will have headquarters on the tourist island of Margarita."
  23. ^"Contactos."Conviasa. July 11, 2007. Retrieved on May 9, 2010." Dirección Sede Principal Av. Lecuna, Parque Central, Torre Oeste, Piso 49, Caracas, Venezuela. "
  24. ^aerotelegraph - "Pilot shortage puts Conviasa into struggle"(German) 17 August 2016
  25. ^abch-aviation - Venezuela's Conviasa suspends international operationsMay 9, 2017
  26. ^"Wamos Air anula contrato con Conviasa"[Wamos Air cancels contract with Conviasa] (in Spanish).
  27. ^"OFAC Recent Actions".
  28. ^conviasa.aero - Flight FrequenciesArchivedJuly 8, 2020, at theWayback Machineretrieved March 21, 2022
  29. ^"Conviasa inaugurates new route between Caracas and Algiers, Algeria".Aviacionaldia.January 22, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 23,2024.
  30. ^ab"Conviasa suspende vuelos a Argentina, Chile y Perú"[Conviasa suspends flights to Argentina, Chile and Peru].Aero-naves(in Spanish). June 27, 2022.RetrievedJune 27,2022.
  31. ^Brathwaite, Sheria (September 30, 2023)."Barbados welcomes inaugural Conviasa flight from Venezuela".Barbadostoday.bb.RetrievedSeptember 30,2023.
  32. ^"Conviasa inaugura ruta entre Puerto Ordaz y Manaos"[Conviasa inaugurates route between Puerto Ordaz and Manaus].Analitica(in Spanish). April 13, 2023.RetrievedApril 13,2023.
  33. ^@IAIM_VE (June 28, 2024)."#InfoIAIM Esta conexión entre Venezuela y la hermana República Popular China dará inicio a sus vuelos comerciales el próximo #27Oct en las alas de @LAConviasa con una frecuencia semanal. ¡Conectamos Naciones por la Paz!"(Tweet) (in Spanish).RetrievedJune 30,2024– viaTwitter.
  34. ^ab"Conviasa Extends Havana – Moscow Service into 2024".AeroRoutes.August 29, 2023.RetrievedAugust 30,2023.
  35. ^ab"Conviasa reanuda vuelos a Quito y Guayaquil"[Conviasa resumes flights to Quito and Guayaquil].Nlarenas(in Spanish). October 14, 2023.RetrievedOctober 16,2023.
  36. ^"Conviasa resumes flights between Caracas and Tehran".Aviacionline.June 20, 2022.RetrievedJune 20,2022.
  37. ^"Conviasa retoma sus vuelos a Nicaragua"[Conviasa resumes its flights to Nicaragua].Aviacionline(in Spanish). November 15, 2021.RetrievedNovember 15,2021.
  38. ^"Conviasa inauguró ruta directa entre Caracas y Doha, Qatar"[Conviasa inaugurated direct route between Caracas and Doha, Qatar].Aviacionaldia(in Spanish). December 3, 2022.RetrievedDecember 3,2022.
  39. ^"Conviasa NS24 Moscow Operations".AeroRoutes.April 4, 2024.RetrievedApril 4,2024.
  40. ^"Conviasa inaugurates flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines".Aviacionline.April 29, 2022.RetrievedApril 29,2022.
  41. ^"Conviasa Resumes Syria Service From late-May 2023".AeroRoutes.RetrievedMay 2,2024.
  42. ^"Conviasa inició ruta aérea Caracas-Barinas este viernes 7 de abril"[Conviasa began the Caracas-Barinas air route this Friday, April 7].El-carabobeno(in Spanish).RetrievedApril 8,2023.
  43. ^Mousa, Dergam (May 7, 2022)."Conviasa will resume flights to Puerto Ayacucho starting in June".Aviacionaldia.RetrievedMay 7,2022.
  44. ^"Conviasa inaugurará operaciones aéreas entre Caracas y San Antonio del Táchira"[Conviasa will inaugurate air operations between Caracas and San Antonio del Táchira].Eluniversal(in Spanish). September 15, 2023.
  45. ^Almérida, Raquel (May 7, 2023)."Conviasa reanudará vuelos entre Caracas y San Fernando de Apure con esta tarifa"[Conviasa resumes flights between Caracas and San Fernando de Apure with this rate].Noticias24carabobo(in Spanish).RetrievedMay 7,2023.
  46. ^"Conviasa estrena su destino nacional número 22"[Conviasa launches its 22nd national destination].Aviacionline(in Spanish). November 25, 2023.RetrievedNovember 25,2023.
  47. ^"Conviasa and Iraqi Airways in talks to establish a code-sharing agreement".Aviacionaldia.April 23, 2021.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
  48. ^"Conviasa, Syrian Arab Airlines Sign Code-Share Agreement".Aviationweek.RetrievedApril 11,2007.
  49. ^ab"Conviasa Fleet Details and History".Planespotters.net.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  50. ^ab"ConViasa Fleet - Airfleets aviation".Airfleets.net.RetrievedJuly 25,2022.
  51. ^"Conviasa Fleet Details and History".Planespotters.net.March 13, 2024.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
  52. ^"Los negocios del eje Venezuela-Irán: Conviasa recibe en leasing un Airbus A340 de Mahan Air"[The business of the Venezuela-Iran axis: Conviasa receives an Airbus A340 from Mahan Air on lease].Aviacionline(in Spanish). October 9, 2023.RetrievedOctober 9,2023.
  53. ^"Conviasa Regional".Ch-aviation.
  54. ^"Conviasa aumenta voos entre Caracas e Madrid com A330-300 da Malásia"[Conviasa increases flights between Caracas and Madrid with A330-300 from Malaysia].Newsavia(in Portuguese). February 28, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 28,2015.
  55. ^"Italy's Blue Panorama axes Conviasa lease over unpaid debts".Ch-aviation.RetrievedJuly 28,2014.
  56. ^"Avión de Conviasa aterrizó de emergencia en aeropuerto de Margarita"[Conviasa plane made an emergency landing at Margarita airport] (in Spanish). Primera-clase. Archived fromthe originalon September 10, 2012.RetrievedAugust 31,2013.
  57. ^"Aterrizaje de Emergencia del YV-1003 en Margarita, Venezuela"[Emergency landing of YV-1003 in Margarita, Venezuela] (in Spanish). Rescate.RetrievedAugust 31,2013.
  58. ^"Plane crashes in eastern Venezuela".BBC News Online. September 14, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 13,2010.
  59. ^"Crash: Conviasa AT42 near Puerto Ordaz on Sep 13th 2010, impacted terrain".Aviation Herald. September 13, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 13,2010.
  60. ^"Aumentan a 17 fallecidos por accidente de avión de Conviasa"[Death toll rises to 17 due to Conviasa plane crash].El Universal Venezuela(in Spanish).RetrievedSeptember 14,2010.
  61. ^"Incident: Conviasa AT72 at Valera on Aug 13th 2012, rejected takeoff, runway excursion".Avherald.RetrievedAugust 28,2022.
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