Aserca Airlines
Aserca Airlines C.A. was 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.
History
The airline was established in 1968 and started operations in 1991 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 via Aruba. Between 1998 and 2000 Aserca had a controlling interest in Air Aruba. In 2008, Aserca took a majority stake in fellow Venezuelan carrier SBA Airlines. A proposed merger was in discussion.In June 2013, Venezuela's National Institute of Civil Aviation 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.
On May 22, 2018, Aserca announced it had ceased all operations and returned its air operator's certificate.
Destinations
Aserca Airlines served the following destination at the time of its demise:| Country | City | Airport | Refs/Notes | - | - | - | - |
| Country | City | Airport | Refs/Notes | Aruba | Oranjestad | Queen Beatrix International Airport | |
| Curaçao | Willemstad | Curaçao International Airport | - | - | - | - | |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | Las Américas International Airport | - | - | - | - | |
| Venezuela | Barquisimeto | Jacinto Lara International Airport | - | - | - | - | |
| Venezuela | Caracas | Simón Bolívar International Airport | Hub | - | - | - | - |
| Venezuela | Las Piedras | Josefa Camejo International Airport | - | - | - | - | |
| Venezuela | Maracaibo | La Chinita International Airport | - | - | - | - | |
| Venezuela | Maturín | José Tadeo Monagas International Airport | - | - | - | - | |
| Venezuela | Puerto Ordaz | Manuel Carlos Piar Guayana Airport | - | - | - | - |
Aserca Airlines additionally had codeshare agreements with PAWA Dominicana and SBA Airlines.
Fleet
Fleet at airline's demise
The Aserca Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft :Previous Fleet
Over the years, Aserca Airlines has operated the following aircraft types:| Aircraft | Total | Notes |
| Boeing 737-200 | 3 | |
| Douglas DC-9-10 | 1 | |
| Douglas DC-9-30 | 30 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-87 | 2 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-90 | 1 | Leased from Air Aruba |