Conviasa

File:Conviasa Dash 7 Maharajh-1.jpg approaching Piarco International Airport in 2006]]

In January 1997, Venezuela's former flag 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, then President 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 a De Havilland Canada Dash 7 flying from the airport in Charallave to the Santiago Mariño International Airport, on Margarita 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.[http://www.conviasa.aero/interna.php?id=10] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414063530/http://www.conviasa.aero/interna.php?id=10|date=April 14, 2008}}

In March 2007, Iran Air began a route from Caracas to Tehran via Damascus under a codeshare agreement with Conviasa.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/world/americas/03caracas.html|title=Venezuela and Iran Strengthen Ties With Caracas-to-Tehran Flight|work=The New York Times|date=2007-03-03|access-date=2021-11-30|author=Romero, Simon|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131145425/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/world/americas/03caracas.html|archivedate=31 January 2023}}{{cite news |author=Spaeth |first=Andreas |date=2007-06-17 |title=Nach Diktatur verreist |trans-title=Traveled after dictatorship |url=http://www.faz.net/s/RubB4457BA9094E4B44BD26DF6DCF5A5F00/Doc~EF289C12B1966449DBC702A86FBE7FD9A~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625192742/http://www.faz.net/s/RubB4457BA9094E4B44BD26DF6DCF5A5F00/Doc~EF289C12B1966449DBC702A86FBE7FD9A~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html |archivedate=2007-06-25 |accessdate=10 April 2023 |work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung |language=de}} Conviasa took it over seven months later.{{cite news |date=2007-10-07 |title=La compañía venezolana Conviasa inaugura la ruta Caracas-Teherán con escala en Damasco |trans-title=The Venezuelan company Conviasa inaugurates the Caracas-Tehran route with a stopover in Damascus |url=https://www.notimerica.com/economia/noticia-venezuela-iran-compania-venezolana-conviasa-inaugura-ruta-caracas-teheran-escala-damasco-20071007182234.html |access-date=2023-04-09 |work=Notimérica |language=es}} The flight was usually less than half-full and primarily carried Syrian Venezuelans, Iranian businesspeople and Venezuelan officials.{{cite news |author=Primera, Maye |date=2009-11-23 |title=Caracas-Damasco-Teherán, un vuelo de lo más misterioso |trans-title=Caracas-Damascus-Tehran, a most mysterious flight |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2009/11/23/internacional/1258930803_850215.html |access-date=2023-04-18 |work=El País |language=es |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616063639/https://elpais.com/diario/2009/11/23/internacional/1258930803_850215.html |archivedate=16 June 2016}} One of the company's executives stated that the service mainly existed for political reasons; Venezuela had warm relations with Iran and Syria. Some people raised concerns about the route. In 2008, the Italian newspaper La Stampa said Iran was using the flight to transport missile parts to Syria, enabling it to evade United Nations sanctions.{{cite news|title=Pact Between Caracas and Tehran: Airplanes in Return for Weapons|work=La Stampa|date=2008-12-21|author=Molinari, Maurizio|others=Translated by the BBC|id={{ProQuest|458647340}}}} President Chávez described the report as American propaganda.{{cite news|title=Venezuela Denies Ferrying Iranian Missile Parts To Syria|work=Dow Jones Institutional News|date=2008-12-23|agency=Agence France-Presse|id={{ProQuest|2241570128}}}} Additionally, the United States, which deemed Iran and Syria state sponsors of terrorism, suspected the immigration and customs checks that passengers underwent were lax.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/21/venezuela.flights.iran/index.html|title=Venezuela defends controversial flights to Iran and Syria|work=CNN|date=2010-08-21|access-date=2023-04-18|last1=McConnell|first1=Dugald|last2=Todd|first2=Brian}}{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2008/122435.htm|title=Chapter 2. Country Reports: Western Hemisphere Overview|publisher=United States Department of State|work=Country Reports on Terrorism 2008|date=2009-04-30|access-date=2023-04-18|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502155851/http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2008/122435.htm|archive-date=2009-05-02}} 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.

File:Conviasa_Airbus_A340-211_Ramirez-1.jpg taxiing at José María Córdova International Airport in 2010]]

Following the crash of Flight 2350 on 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 was banned from flying to countries in the European Union because of safety concerns. It said that Conviasa failed to show it had taken adequate steps to prevent future accidents.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/americas/venezuela-airline-banned-by-europe.html?_r=1&ref=americas|work=The New York Times|first=William|last=Neuman|title=Venezuela: Airline Banned by Europe|date=April 4, 2012}} In August 2012, the carrier ended its nonstop service to Damascus.{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230325-v0dam | title=Conviasa resumes Syria service from late-May 2023 | work=AeroRoutes | date=2023-03-25 | accessdate=27 July 2023}} The European Union lifted its restriction on Conviasa on July 10, 2013."[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-10/eu-removes-philippine-air-conviasa-from-access-blacklist.html EU Removes Philippine Air, Conviasa From Access Blacklist]" Bloomberg, 10 July 2013

In September 2012, Conviasa took delivery of their first Embraer 190.{{cite news|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/13224-first-emb-190-delivered-to-conviasa-on-september-21|title=First EMB-190 delivered to Conviasa on September 21|website=Ch-aviation.com|date=September 21, 2012}} Twenty aircraft were ordered, but only received 15, and one Embraer Lineage 1000. {{cite news|url=https://www.nycaviation.com/2012/07/conviasa-orders-20-new-embraer-190-jets-hints-at-us-flights/24369|title=Conviasa Orders 20 New Embraer 190 Jets, Hints at US Flights|website=nycaviation.com|date=July 31, 2012}}

Conviasa is under the authority of the Ministry of Aquatic and Air Transport."[http://www.mpptaa.gob.ve/images/organigrama1.png Organigrama]." () Ministry of Aquatic and Air Transport. Retrieved on April 17, 2012. The airline is owned by the Venezuelan government (80%) and the regional government of Nueva Esparta (20%). Conviasa has its headquarters on the grounds of Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, near Caracas."[http://www.conviasa.aero/eng/contactos/contactos.php Contacts]." Conviasa. Retrieved on May 9, 2010. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}"[http://www.conviasa.aero/media/sede.php Sede Principal] {{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}." 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." Originally Conviasa had its headquarters on Margarita Island.Bloomberg News and Wire Reports. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121102023441/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/576313941.html?dids=576313941:576313941&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+12,+2004&author=Bloomberg+News+and+Wire+reports&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=GLOBAL+BUSINESS&pqatl=google 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." At one time Conviasa had its headquarters in the East Tower of Parque Central in Caracas."[https://web.archive.org/web/20070711062654/http://www.conviasa.aero/contactos/contactos.php Contactos]." Conviasa. July 11, 2007. Retrieved on May 9, 2010. "Dirección Sede Principal Av. Lecuna, Parque Central, Torre Oeste, Piso 49, Caracas, Venezuela."

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.[http://www.aerotelegraph.com/pilotenmangel-bringt-conviasa-in-schwierigkeiten aerotelegraph.com - "Pilot shortage puts Conviasa into struggle"] (German) 17 August 2016

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.[https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/55732-venezuelas-conviasa-suspends-international-operations ch-aviation.com - Venezuela's Conviasa suspends international operations] May 9, 2017 Also in May 2017, Wamos Air terminated its contract with Conviasa on short notice.{{Cite web |title=Wamos Air anula contrato con Conviasa |trans-title=Wamos Air cancels contract with Conviasa |url=http://a21.com.mx/aerolineas/2017/05/19/wamos-air-anula-contrato-con-conviasa |language=es}} Wamos Air operated a single Boeing 747-400 for Conviasa between Caracas and Madrid. 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 the Specially Designated Nationals list. 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).{{Cite web|url=https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20200207.aspx|title=OFAC Recent Actions}}

In July 2020, Conviasa bought a 23-year old Airbus A340-300 to supplement its single A340-200, as well as to reinforce air cargo and long radius.{{cn|date=June 2024}} In March and June 2022, Conviasa received two 20-year old Airbus A340-600s as part of the company's fleet expansion, also announcing that it will receive an A340-500 in the following months.{{cn|date=June 2024}} This means Conviasa will be the only commercial operator that operates all models of the Airbus A340.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

{{As of|2025|5}}, Conviasa serves the following scheduled destinations:[http://portal.conviasa.aero/en/ conviasa.aero - Flight Frequencies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708122939/http://portal.conviasa.aero/en/ |date=July 8, 2020 }} retrieved March 21, 2022

Conviasa has codeshares agreements with the following airlines:

• Iraqi Airways (planned){{cite web|url=https://aviacionaldia.com/en/2021/04/conviasa-iraqi-airways-code-sharing.html#:~:text=The%20president%20of%20Conviasa%20and%20vice%20minister%20of,service%20between%20the%20Middle%20East%20and%20Latin%20America.|title=Conviasa and Iraqi Airways in talks to establish a code-sharing agreement|website=Aviacionaldia.com|date=23 April 2021|access-date=April 23, 2021}}
• Syrian Air{{cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/conviasa-syrian-arab-airlines-sign-code-share-agreement|title=Conviasa, Syrian Arab Airlines Sign Code-Share Agreement|website=Aviationweek.com|access-date=April 11, 2007}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = ATR 42-420, Conviasa JP6445983.jpg

| caption1 = Conviasa ATR 42-400

| image2 = Conviasa Embraer 190AR taking off at Caracas.jpg

| caption2 = Conviasa Embraer 190

| image3 = YV3507@PEK (20211108153623).jpg

| caption3 = Conviasa Airbus A340-300

| image4 = YV3535@PEK (20230914152113).jpg

| caption4 = Conviasa Airbus A340-600

}}

{{As of|2025|5}}, the Conviasa fleet includes the following aircraft:

Conviasa had in the past operated the following aircraft:{{Cn|date=January 2025}}

• On December 16, 2005, Conviasa Flight 2600, a De Havilland Canada Dash 7 (registered YV-1003) with 36 passengers and 4 crew members on board, was forced to make a belly landing at Porlamar's airport when the landing gear failed to deploy. After circling Porlamar for an hour and a half to burn off fuel, the aircraft touched down without any injuries.{{cite web |title=Avión de Conviasa aterrizó de emergencia en aeropuerto de Margarita |trans-title=Conviasa plane made an emergency landing at Margarita airport |url=http://www.primera-clase.com/2005/12/16/avion-de-conviasa-aterrizo-de-emergencia-en-aeropuerto-de-margarita/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910114207/http://www.primera-clase.com/2005/12/16/avion-de-conviasa-aterrizo-de-emergencia-en-aeropuerto-de-margarita/ |archive-date=2012-09-10 |access-date=2013-08-31 |publisher=Primera-clase.com |language=es}}{{cite web |title=Aterrizaje de Emergencia del YV-1003 en Margarita, Venezuela |trans-title=Emergency landing of YV-1003 in Margarita, Venezuela |url=http://www.rescate.com/conviasa.html |access-date=2013-08-31 |publisher=Rescate.com |language=es |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501120204/http://www.rescate.com/conviasa.html |url-status=dead }}
• On August 30, 2008, a Boeing 737-200 (registered YV102T), took off from Caracas, and was bound to Latacunga, Ecuador, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Quito. Three crew members (a captain, a first officer, and a mechanic) were on board. The aircraft crashed in the mountainous area in Ecuador's Andes, killing all three crew on board.
• On September 13, 2010, Conviasa Flight 2350, an ATR 42-300 (registered YV1010) with 47 passengers and 4 crew on board, crashed shortly before landing. It was a domestic scheduled passenger flight from Porlamar, Isla Margarita to Ciudad Guayana.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11289500|title=Plane crashes in eastern Venezuela|publisher=BBC News Online|access-date=13 September 2010|date=14 September 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.avherald.com/h?article=430e1137&opt=4096|title=Crash: Conviasa AT42 near Puerto Ordaz on Sep 13th 2010, impacted terrain|publisher=Aviation Herald|date=2010-09-13|access-date=2010-09-13}} There were 34 survivors and 17 fatalities.{{cite web |title=Aumentan a 17 fallecidos por accidente de avión de Conviasa |trans-title=Death toll rises to 17 due to Conviasa plane crash |url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/09/14/suc_ava_aumentan-a-17--falle_14A4468055.shtml |access-date=14 September 2010 |website=El Universal Venezuela |language=es}}

• On August 13, 2012, Conviasa Flight 2197, an ATR 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.{{cite web|url=https://avherald.com/h?article=45435088|title=Incident: Conviasa AT72 at Valera on Aug 13th 2012, rejected takeoff, runway excursion|website=Avherald.com|access-date=August 28, 2022}}

• List of airlines of Venezuela

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline}}

• [http://www.conviasa.aero Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026161721/http://conviasa.aero/ |date=October 26, 2010}}
• {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20071120020829/http://www.tsj.gov.ve/gaceta/Marzo/310304/310304-37910-07.html Part one of the decree that created Conviasa]
• {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20071120020845/http://www.tsj.gov.ve/gaceta/Marzo/310304/310304-37910-08.html Part two of the decree that created Conviasa]

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