note
Avensa was founded in 1943 by Venezuelan entrepreneur Andres Pietri and Pan American World Airways as a cargo airline. Operations commenced in December same year using Ford Tri-Motor aircraft. Year later first first passenger flights were introduced. After World War II, Avensa bought, like many other airlines of that era, surplus Douglas DC-3s. In 1955 the first pressurized aircraft, a Convair CV-340 joined the fleet. Avensa at this time operated dense domestic network as well as international flights to Aruba, Jamaica and Miami and New Orleans in the USA. International routes were combined with those of LAV Aeropostal and spun off as new airline called VIASA. Avensa then concentrated on domestic market.
The first jet, a lone Sud Caravelle joined the fleet in 1964. First turboprop became Convair CV-580 (converted CV-340) in 1966. In 1976 Pan Am sold its interest in AVENSA and airline became nationalized as the government was now the sole owner. During 1980s AVENSA operated fleet of DC-9s and Boeing 727s. After VIASA ceased to trade in 1997, AVENSA became defacto flag carrier of Venezuela and continued to fly some VIASA international flights to Europe, USA, Central and South America using former Varig DC-10s. AVENSA faced a difficult financial situation throughout the 1990s which culminated in bankruptcy in 2002. AVENSA continued to operate between 2002 and 2004 with a Embraer EMB-120 a service between Caracas and Merida, however all its former assets have been sold and the company really disappeared in 2004
founded - demised (age)
May 13 1943 - December 31 2004 (61)
headquarters
, Maiqueta
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
