Venezolana informations and photos

Venezolana - Linea Aérea de Venezuela RAV S.A. is a Venezuelan low-cost airline headquartered in Maracaibo.

The airline was founded by Venezuelan investors in 2001 as RAVSA - Rutas Aéreas de Venezuela S.A.. In 2007, the airline started up operations under its brand name Venezolana. When operations started, Venezolana began to acquire through the years a mixed fleet of used Boeing 737-200, MD-80s and the Bae Jetstreamers in order to start more scheduled services to other destinations inside and outside of Venezuela. During the 2000s, the airline experienced a rapid expansion around the international and domestic market, especially with the regional route between the cities of Maracaibo and Caracas, which is one of the most popular routes in Venezuela.

However, Venezolana had a turmoil with its reputation in the international market between 2009 and 2011, because of delays and cancellations due to mechanical problems, mismanagement in its operation procedures, and ransacking of passengers' baggage. This eventually brought criticism from passengers and as a response, the airline began re-organization procedures which eventually decreased the passenger complaints rate. On February 27, 2012, the Venezuelan Ministry of Transportation indefinitely suspended Venezolana's air operator certificate due to unpaid insurance premiums for the fleet, causing disruptions of the airline's domestic and international operations. However, it was reported that the airline paid the premiums and resumed operations the same day.

In January 2014, due to the Venezuelan government's CADIVI currency-exchange administration making delayed payments to domestic and international airlines, Venezolana had problems with its flights due to lack of available aircraft, since all but one of its aircraft were unairworthy due to inability to buy replacement parts. As a consequence, the National Institute of Civil Aviation decided to again ground the airline, causing disruptions on domestic and international operations indefinitely. On March 26, 2014, the airline was bought by a group of private investors and resumed operations.

Venezolana flies to the following cities (as of January 2022[update]):

As of July 2021[update], the Venezolana fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Venezolana had in the past operated the following aircraft

Media related to Venezolana at Wikimedia Commons

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