Aserca Airlines C.A. (Aero Servicios Carabobo) was^[1][2] an airline based in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. It operated domestic and regional scheduled services to destinations in the Caribbean, Central America and the United States. Its main base was Arturo Michelena International Airport, Valencia, with a hub at Simón Bolívar International Airport, Caracas.^[3]

History

Old Aserca Airlines Logo

The airline was established in March 6, 1968 and started operations in September 4, 1992 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, combined with the demise of flag carrier Viasa in 1997, made Aserca 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 September 2008, the airline created a commercial alliance with SBA Airlines, also from Venezuela with whom it undertakes international expansion through, unifying the corporate image of both airlines and coordinating their respective itineraries to improve their connection times between the flights of both airlines, to facilitate connections between the national destinations of Aserca with international destinations of SBA. A proposed merger was in discussion. On the other hand, it collaborated with the Dominican airline PAWA Dominicana and in February 2016, the alliance now called Grupo Cóndor C.A. announced the purchase of Línea Turística Aereotuy.

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. Aserca has chosen to replace its DC-9 with two ex-Aeromexico MD-87 that went to Miami Opa-locka Airport awaiting delivery.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2018, it was announced that Venezuela's National Institute of Civil Aviation had withdrawn the airline's operating license until further notice. The country's newspapers blame the lack of proof of insurance for the aircraft in the fleet. Aserca Airlines planned to restart operations. But in May 22, 2018, Aserca announced it had ceased all operations due to financial bankruptcy after returned its air operator's certificate.^[4][2][1]

Destinations

Former Aserca Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 in its former color scheme

Aserca Airlines served the following destination at the time of its demise:^{[citation needed]}