During the Expo Aeronautical Technology 2021 (ETA2021), where Aviacionline was present, the Venezuelan flag carrier Conviasa unveiled its international route plans, both for passenger and cargo traffic.
Conviasa currently operates regular flights to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, and Russia, the countries authorized by the Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC). Once the present restrictions are lifted, the airline expects to resume operations to Cuba, Nicaragua, and Ecuador.
During the course of the pandemic, the airline made several repatriation flights to various cities in South America, the Middle East and Europe. Conviasa plans to expand its network to more countries and return flights to markets where the airline previously operated.
From Europe
Conviasa’s President, Ramón Velásquez Araguayán, mentioned the return of the Caracas (CCS) – Madrid (MAD) route, possibly by the end of December 2021.Previously the company operated 3 weekly flights with Boeing 747-400 under wet-leasing modality until 2017; the airline also studies flying to Italy, a destination it is familiar with, since during the pandemic it operated several flights of repatriates to Rome – Fiumicino (FCO) and Portugal.
From South America
The airline plans to expand its operations to Suriname, Peru, Chile and Argentina. The latter was operated by the company through its hub in Caracas (CCS) and with some charter flights to Porlamar (PMV).
Prior to the pandemic, Estelar was the only airline with a connection between Venezuela to Chile and Argentina; while Avior was also the only operator with flights from Venezuela to Peru.
From Africa and the Middle East
Conviasa plans to operate to Africa via Nigeria and to expand its operation to the Middle East from Iran by adding Qatar to its network/
Previously INAC was in negotiations with Qatari authorities to expand air operations between both nations. Doha (DOH) is one of the main cargo hubs worldwide, and a possible arrival of Conviasa could improve cargo traffic to Venezuela’s commercial partners such as China and India.
#7Jun 1/5 En aras de fortalecer alianzas con países hermanos, @viceminaereo @rvaraguayan, Pdte #INAC @JuanTeixeiraD, Vicemin de Cooperación Económica @ramongordils y @CancilleriaVE sostienen reunión con el Embajador de Qatar ante Venezuela, Excelentísimo Rashid Mohsin A.R. Fetais pic.twitter.com/TUkx4pEixt
— Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC) (@InacVzla) June 7, 2021
Cargo market expansion
The airline also announced the incorporation of a Boeing 747 freighter to expand its cargo market, in addition to working on the development of the new project of the International Airport General en Jefe «José Félix Ribas» in Maracay. The objective is for this airport to become a major logistics center for domestic and international air cargo.
#6Nov Nuestro ciclo de ponencias durante la #ETA2021 tiene como finalidad incentivar la actividad comercial, ya que próximamente @LAConviasa iniciará los vuelos de carga en la Base Aérea El Libertador, donde se construye el Aeropuerto Internacional G/J. José Félix Ribas pic.twitter.com/ueYeLgcDHv
— Ramón Celestino Velásquez Araguayán (@rvaraguayan) November 6, 2021
