OREANDA-NEWS. April 06, 2010. Vitaly Savelyev, CEO of Aeroflot Russian Airlines and Diosdado Rondon, Venezuela’s Minister of the Popular Power for Public Works and Housing have signed a memorandum of understanding in Venezuela, in the presence of the Russian Premier Vladimir Putin and President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Hugo Chavez. The purpose of the Memorandum is to outline the possible ways to establish air connection between Moscow and Carakas via Havana and Madrid, through different forms of commercial collaboration.

It is planned that Aeroflot will perform flights on the Moscow – Havana – Moscow and Moscow – Madrid – Moscow segments, while the Venezuelan Conviasa will operate the Carakas – Havana – Carakas and Carakas – Madrid – Carakas segments.

In order to explore the possible options of the air connection, Aeroflot and Conviasa are to conduct the necessary route network and schedule analysis to ensure the most convenient interlining for the two companies.

The Air Transportation Agreement between the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was signed in Carakas on November 26, 2008.

AEROFLOT is Russia’s leading air carrier, member of the global SkyTeam alliance. Its consolidated route network covers 856 destinations in 169 countries. The company accounts for over 42% of Russia’s regular international traffic. In 2009, Aeroflot carried 8.755 million passengers.
Aeroflot was the first Russian carrier to enter the IOSA Registry, and has multiple times confirmed the certificate. Aeroflot has successfully passed the ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations) procedure. The company’s Quality Management System is certified for compliance with ISO 9001:2000О.
Aeroflot operates one of Europe’s youngest air fleets that consists of 118 aircraft. Aeroflot is based in Moscow, at the Sheremetyevo International Airport. Find more at www.aeroflot.ru.

Conviasa (Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronauticas y Servicios Aereos) is a Venezuelan state-owned airline (80% belongs to the Government of Venezuela; the airline’s founder is the Ministry of Infrastructure). The airline was established in 2004, with its headquarters on the grounds of Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas. Conviasa carries over 320 thousand passengers a year.
Conviasa’s route network covers around 20 destinations. The airline performs domestic flights as well as flights to the Caribbean countries including Grenada, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Its long-haul destinations include Tehran and Damask. The airline performs code-shared flights with Air Europa to Madrid. Conviasa’s air fleet consists of Airbus А340-200, Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ-700), Boeing В737-300, Dash-7, and ATR-42 aircraft.