Just like most people on this platform, I have my bucketlist of flights to do which ranges widely with aircraft types and operators, with a decent amount being operated by the E190! When the E190 was released, it brought many airlines into the game that hadn’t previously had a livery; one of them being Venezela’s flag carrier Conviasa! VCV currently operates 15 units of the aircraft which has made it the backbone of their domestic and short haul international operations (which on occasion is switched with the A340).
Merida is the capital of the state that shares it’s name, and sits in the Chama river valley surrounded by towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada range to the southeast and the Sierra La Culata to the northwest, and is home to the highest and largest aerial tramway in the world! This geography has given the airport the unofficial nickname “The Paro and Lukla of South America” due to it’s one-way-in and one-way-out operations.
Flight Info
Airline: Línea Aérea Conviasa (VCV)
Aircraft: Embraer E190
Registration & age: YV2913 (2013 Built)
Departure Airport: Maiquetía “Simón Bolívar” International Airport SVMI
Arrival Airport: Alberto Carnevalli Airport SVMD
Flight Time: 53 mins
Altitude: FL300 (30,000 ft)
Speed: Mach .78
After a quick flight from Panama City on Copa’s retro B737-800, some lunch and some plane spotting, it was time to head to the gate where we our 2013 built E190 was just pulling into the gate from Maracaibo - Venezuela’s second largest city.
A beautiful takeoff from Caracas with the El Ávila national park standing tall against the airport! It was a busy late morning departure bank when we left; we were behind 2 E190s going to St. Vincent and La Fria, our Copa plane heading back to Panama City and 3 Conviasa A340s heading to Havana, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.
Our last views of the national park as we climb through 17,000 ft on our way up to FL300!
Reaching our cruising altitude as we fly over Barquisimeto and drinks began to get served; I opted for an Orange juice and water.
Beginning our descent over Parque Nacional Sierra La Culata
Time to head into the valley and with that, amazing views!
This shot reminds me of time I flew to Cusco aboard the amazonas E190
Short Final
And we made it! Time to go ride the aerial tram and enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful valley!