Avensa (Aerovías Venezolanas Sociedad Anonima) was a Venezuelan airline that operated from its hub at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetía.[1]
At one time, it had its headquarters in the now Government-owned Torre El Chorro in Caracas and in the Torre Humboldt complex in East Caracas.[2]
Although Avensa was reported to be in the process of economic restructuring, as of 2024, the airline has not been able to return to the skies.
History
Avensa was created on 13 May 1943, as a cargo airline by the Venezuelan businessman, Andres Boulton Pietri (1909-1994), and Pan American World Airways. Its first flight occurred in December 1943, flying cargo to Venezuela's oil-rich Carteru region with Ford Trimotors and Stinson Reliants. By 1944, Avensa had started passenger flights with Lockheed 10A twins.
After World War II, DC-3 Dakotas were added to the fleet. These were the backbone of the fleet until 1955 when Convair 340 twins were introduced for a new service to