Aserca Airlines

Aero Servicios Carabobo Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
R7 OCA ASERCA
Founded 1968
Hubs Simón Bolívar International Airport
Arturo Michelena International Airport
Focus cities Santiago Mariño International Airport
Las Americas International Airport
Frequent-flyer program Privilege
Fleet size 11
Destinations 12
Company slogan Por todo lo alto
(all over the sky)
Headquarters Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela
Key people Simeon Garcia
Migdalia Garcia
Website Aserca Airlines

Aserca Airlines C.A. (Aero Servicios Carabobo) is an airline based in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. It operates domestic and regional scheduled services to destinations in the Caribbean, Central America and the USA. Its main base is Arturo Michelena International Airport, Valencia, with a hub at Simón Bolívar International Airport, Caracas.[1]

History

Aserca Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 at Simon Bolivar International Airport in the old colors
Old Aserca Airlines Logo

The airline was established in 1968 and started operations in 1991 with small aircraft for private transport. In 1992 it entered the domestic scheduled market with a leased Douglas DC-9-30. Aserca's operations were centred on Valencia, but it managed to develop Caracas as a hub after 1994 which made it experience a significant growth in its market share, expanding its network to Bogotá, Lima and Miami (no longer in service) via Aruba. Between 1998 and 2000 Aserca had a controlling interest in Air Aruba. In 2008, Aserca took a majority stake in fellow Venezuelan carrier SBA Airlines (formerly Santa Bárbara Airlines). A proposed merger is in discussion.

In June 2013, Venezuela’s National Institute of Civil Aviation (Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil - INAC) announced that it will prohibit operations of classic aircraft types like the Douglas DC-9, Boeing 727 and Boeing 737-200 in Venezuela from November 1, 2013. Aserca Airlines could obtain a special dispensation from INAC allowing the airline to operate its remaining two DC-9 until July 1, 2014. Ascerca has chosen to replace its DC-9 with two ex-Aeromexico MD-87 that are currently stored at Miami Opa-locka Airport awaiting delivery.

Destinations

Aserca Airlines DC-9 in the current scheme

Aserca Airlines flies to 11 destinations, 9 of which are domestic.

Domestic

International

Fleet

The Aserca Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of October 2014):[2]

Current Fleet

Aserca Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In Service Passengers Notes
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 5 152
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 6 152 2 leased to SBA Airlines
Total 11


Previous Fleet

Over the years, Aserca Airlines has operated the following types:

Aserca Airlines Historical Fleet
Aircraft Notes
Boeing 737-200
Douglas DC-9-10
Douglas DC-9-30
McDonnell Douglas MD-82
McDonnell Douglas MD-90

Accidents and Incidents

In 2011, an Aserca Airlines DC9 had to make an emergency landing in Puerto Ordaz Airport because of smoke in the cabin. All passengers and crew arrived safely at the airport.

References

  1. "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. pp. 77–78.
  2. Aserca Airlines Fleet Details and History

External links

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