Conviasa to Link Venezuela and China with Strategic Stop in Russia
The Venezuelan state airline will operate the Caracas–Moscow–Guangzhou route using its Airbus A340-600 fleet, strengthening ties with its strategic allies.
Conviasa, Venezuela’s flag carrier, has launched the promotion of one of its most ambitious routes to date: a direct connection between South America and Asia via Russia. The airline plans to operate flights between Caracas (CCS) and Guangzhou (CAN) with a stop in Moscow (VKO), using its largest aircraft, the Airbus A340-600.
According to the information released, the route will begin operating during the Northern Hemisphere summer, with biweekly frequency. Outbound flights from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía are scheduled for Fridays, while return flights from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport will operate on Mondays.
The use of the Airbus A340-600 is a key element of this operation. This four-engine, long-haul aircraft is designed for ultra-long-range routes. Conviasa uses this type of aircraft, including the one registered as YV3533, to serve its farthest destinations. The airline’s fleet also includes other widebody models like the Airbus A340-300.
While many global carriers have retired the A340 due to its higher fuel consumption compared to modern twin-engine jets, its ability to operate long-haul routes without ETOPS restrictions, combined with its availability on the market, makes it a viable choice for certain operators.
Key Flight Information
• What is Conviasa’s new route?
A direct connection from Caracas (CCS), Venezuela, to Guangzhou (CAN), China, with a stop in Moscow (VKO), Russia.• What aircraft will be used?
The route will be operated with Airbus A340-600 aircraft.• Why the stop in Moscow?
The Moscow stopover is based on both technical and geopolitical factors, linking three countries with strong political and economic alliances while avoiding the airspace of nations imposing restrictions on Venezuela.
Beyond its technical aspects, the Caracas–Moscow–Guangzhou route holds significant strategic value. This air corridor reflects deepening political and trade ties between the governments of Venezuela, Russia, and China. For Conviasa—operating under strict sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)—establishing routes through allied nations is not just a preference but an operational necessity.
These sanctions limit Conviasa’s access to spare parts, financing, insurance, and the airspace of many Western countries. As a result, the airline’s network is focused on politically favorable destinations, such as its current or past operations to Tehran (Iran) and Damascus (Syria), reinforcing its role as a tool of Venezuela’s foreign policy.
AUTOR
Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.
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