Epale A.netters:

It's been a while that we do not post a topic about Venezuelan Aviation. Incredibly, in the international sector there has been a boom of new airlines and upgrades of the existing ones. On the other hand, Venezuelan aviation authorities impose more controls to an aging domestic fleet amidst restrictions for General Aviation airplanes too.

International Carriers

The most recent visitor to CCS is Caribbean Airlines. They have added a daily morning flight to POS with fairly good load factors. It is rumored that they would upgrade from a DH8 to a 738 if the market demands so.

American Airlines, along with Avianca, are the two most prominent international carriers in Venezuela. In the case of American, they are expecting the authorization from INAC to start VLN -- MIA flights, (as well as Spirit's FLL -- CCS). However, the CCS -- MIA route now runs 2x A300 and 2x 752 daily. DFW flight was upgraded to a 752, but stills 1x a week, as well as 2x JFK in 752 too. MAR will also be upgraded to an A300 daily to MIA.

In the case of the Colombian carriers: Avianca is now planning to start CCS -- MDE -- CLO 3x a week in F100, and Aerorepublica is also seeking to add Caracas to its international destinations, they are just waiting the Government Approval.

Delta and Continental have also upgraded their flights to CCS. In the case of Delta, a 752 is now being used in its ATL flights (upgrade from a 738). Continental is about to offer again 1x weekly to EWR, on Sundays in a 73G. In the case of Air Canada, is now operating 4x a week, and the flight has no stopovers as had in POS before.

Latin American carriers in CCS have also upgraded its flights. LAN will upgrade in May LIM -- CCS to a 763 instead of a second flight, adding more than 70 seats a day!. TAM is obtaining excellent load factors in its CCS -- MAO -- GRU -- MAO -- CCS flights. Varig has also upgraded the route with a 763 from a 738, and has also changed its schedule from late at night to early in the morning in a direct flight to GRU. Aerolineas Argentinas stills operating the A310 with notorious delays (up to 24 hours!) 5x a week... 3x is EZE -- CCS -- EZE and 2x is EZE -- BOG -- CCS -- BOG -- EZE flight.

TACA is also opening a flight to GUA from June with an A319. Also, Mexicana is going to operate seasonal summer flights to CUN with an A320, both flights do not have a defined schedule yet. Copa Airlines upgraded the equipment to CCS with two 738s 2x daily. It is likely that will start with a 3rd frequency soon. On the other hand, Cubana has recently added the TU-204 in the HAV -- CCS -- HAV route.

European carriers do not have important changes. Just TAP which has retired the A310 to CCS and now operates an A332, and the possible coming of Air Italy to CCS from July to compete with Alitalia in the CCS - MXP flight.

Venezuelan domestic carriers

About the domestic carriers in general terms they are doing it fairly well. However, on April 18th, INAC (The Venezuelan Civil Aviation Authority) issued a decree in which aircrafts shall comply with the Venezuelan Aeronautical Regulations (RAV) 121 and 135, or they were going to have revoked its airworthiness certificate.

Airlines such as LTA were forced to retire its DH7 from service, although it's been said that they will lease another DH7 compliant with such regulations. AECA was also grounded and does not operate any flights since January.

Aeropostal is struggling to survive as they have to face a fierce competition in the domestic market, as well the late INAC regulations and inspections. They have just received the airworthiness certification for its DC-9-50, and it seems that they will put back into service more in the coming months. No talks about resuming international operations yet.

Aserca has also retired some airplanes from service and are going to be replaced with more DC9s! MD80 expansion plans seems to be frozen for now, and the merge with Santa Barbara Airlines continues by integrating several departments of both airlines into a single one. About Santa Barbara Airlines, they only are operating its international flights (MIA, UIO, GYE, FNC, MAD) with 757s and 767s. They are ready to start VLN -- MIA very soon with a 757 This, however has to be approved by the US DOT and will add another petition to the list between American and Venezuelan carriers. The ATR fleet has been grounded after the fatal crash in Merida, although is rumored that they will be back in service once checked and overhauled the fleet to comply with the new regulations, and also will wear a new livery similar to Aserca's current colors.

Avior expansion is quite strong. They just started the PZO -- BAR -- MIA 3x a week in a 737-200. Also they have leased in long term a 737-200 for social flights to HAV. Laser has also incorporated two DC-9-30 to its fleet (ex Southeast), increasing the frequency in the CCS -- PMV route.

Conviasa is about to start flight to MAD in June 1x a week in the A340-200. Domestically, they have retired all ATR42-300 from service and now operate the ATR72 type only. Several routes have been downgraded or closed, and its schedule now is pretty difficult to determine.

Overall, aviation in Venezuela has become a Pandora box. The aeronautical infrastructure is much better. CCS and BLA have been almost fully refurbished and PMV is undergoing a renewing project as well. Venezuela is doing great in numbers but unfortunately there's the never-ending problem that is stopping the domestic airline business to grow.

Saludos

[Edited 2008-04-22 19:08:44]

[Edited 2008-04-22 19:09:26]

[Edited 2008-04-22 19:12:39]