The Venezuelan airline has launched a new flight from Caracas to Algiers, marking its first African route.
Conviasa’s Airbus A340 fleet parked in Caracas in 2020. (Photo: Conviasa)
Linéa Aérea Conviasa has successfully launched its inaugural flight from Caracas to Algiers, marking the opening of a nonstop air route between Venezuela and Algeria. The official launch of the long-awaited route took place on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, as communicated in a press release on Conviasa’s official page.
The Caracas-Algiers route holds great significance for Conviasa, as it represents its entry into the African market following years of negotiations between Algerian and Venezuelan authorities, with plans to extend the route to Doha airport, connecting the two nations further.
With a monopoly on this route and operating Airbus A340-600 aircraft, Conviasa aims to provide passengers with unrivaled service, comfort, and convenience. The exact flight schedule for this route is yet to be announced, but expectations are high for regular operations at least twice a month.
Conviasa’s aircraft touched down at Algiers International Airport, carrying a significant ministerial delegation from Venezuela. The delegation included key figures from the Ministries of Transportation, Petroleum, Fisheries, Commerce, and a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to media outlet Aviacionline, during the International Center for Productive Investment, discussions included areas such as industrial, commercial, tourism, multimodal transport, petrochemical, gas, fishing, agriculture, and trade sectors, emphasizing the potential for enhanced economic and cultural ties.
Conviasa’s foray into the Caracas-Algiers route follows a previous announcement in June 2022. Despite initial plans, the flights during that period faced sustainability challenges, raising questions about the viability of the route. This latest venture signifies a determined effort to establish a lasting presence in the region.
With no competition on the Caracas-Algiers route, Conviasa aims to strengthen bilateral relations and offer passengers the opportunity to explore the unique destination of Algeria. The expansion aligns with Conviasa’s commitment to spreading its wings and exploring unconventional routes.
Furthermore, Conviasa envisions serving unusual yet promising destinations such as Johannesburg (South Africa), Damascus (Syria), and Luanda (Angola), in addition to its existing long-haul route to Moscow, Russia. These endeavors demonstrate Conviasa’s proactive approach to seeking new markets amidst the economic challenges and sanctions faced by Venezuela.
2/2 De igual forma, nos reunimos con el Director General de Air Algérie, Sr. Yacine Benslimane, con quien abordamos la cooperación entre @LAConviasa y Air Algérie, con miras de ampliar la conexión con África, Europa y Asia; lo que garantizará al pueblo argelino, conocer las… pic.twitter.com/JVh9Jd3qm6
— Ramón Celestino Velásquez Araguayán (@rvaraguayan) January 22, 2024
Celestino Velasquez, the Venezuelan Minister of Transportation and President of Conviasa, held a productive meeting with his Algerian counterpart, Mohamed El Habid Zahana, as part of the high-level joint commission’s strategic agenda. The discussions centered around fostering cooperation in the aviation sector. Additionally, a meeting with the CEO of Air Algérie took place, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive cooperation agreement focused on training aviation professionals and technicians.
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