One year since your takeoff.

Some flights end upon reaching their destination, while others remain forever in the memories of those who shared the journey.

One year after the takeoff of our colleague Hebert Africano, VIASA Virtual Airlines wishes to pay tribute to him in the way we know best: by flying.

During this event, we will fly the route SVMI – SVVL – SVMD – SVMI—a path specially chosen for its close connection to Hebert and his history throughout his years as CEO of our beloved Viasa Virtual Airlines.

This will not be a competition, nor will it matter who completes the route first. Every takeoff, every mile flown, and every landing will serve as a way to remember a colleague who was part of our community and shared our passion for aviation.

Recognizing that it is not always possible for us all to gather on the same day, this tribute will remain open for a month, allowing each pilot to fly the route whenever their circumstances permit. It does not matter when we fly; what matters is the reason why we do it.

General aviation aircraft and light aircraft may be used, as well as the ATR, Beechcraft 1900, Boeing 727-200, Airbus A319/A320, and Douglas DC-9-30, allowing each pilot to complete the route in their preferred way.

Today, we once again traverse these skies in your memory.

Hebert, one year after your takeoff, we continue to fly with you.

An unexpected call.

October begins with a new challenge for VIASA Virtual Airlines.

A regional Caribbean airline is facing a period of limited fleet availability. A combination of scheduled inspections and additional maintenance requirements has temporarily reduced the number of aircraft available to cover its flight schedule.

Canceling flights is not a simple option.

In the Caribbean, many regional connections are not merely tourist routes. For many passengers, they represent essential links between small islands and neighboring territories—business trips, family visits, international connections, and travel between communities with few direct alternatives.

The airline needs additional capacity.

And VIASA receives the call.

The contract

For a limited period, VIASA Virtual Airlines will provide the aircraft and crew to maintain part of the contracting airline's regional schedule under an ACMI agreement—Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance.

The mission begins at our base in Maiquetía.

The selected aircraft must depart Venezuela and perform a positioning flight to Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago, where it will be temporarily based for the duration of the operation.

Once handed over to the client, commercial service will begin.

Day One — The Antilles

The first rotation will focus on maintaining connectivity between some of the small communities of the Eastern Caribbean.

From Trinidad, the aircraft will depart for Grenada. After a quick stopover, it will head to Saint Vincent before returning to Piarco.

At each airport, some passengers will end their journey while others begin theirs. Tourists, residents, workers, and connecting passengers will share a flight operation characterized by tight turnaround times and a critical need for punctuality.

Three sectors.

Three countries.

One aircraft.

Upon returning to Trinidad, the first rotation will be complete, but the contract will not.

Day Two — The Guianas

The next mission shifts the focus from the islands to the northern coast of South America. From Piarco, VIASA will head to Georgetown, Guyana, maintaining one of the most important regional connections between the Caribbean islands and the mainland.

After disembarking and boarding new passengers, the operation will continue to Paramaribo, Suriname.

It will be a short international leg, where an efficient turnaround will once again be crucial to maintaining the schedule.

The final commercial service of the contract will arrive from Paramaribo.

The aircraft will return to Trinidad and land at Piarco again, concluding the second rotation.

Mission accomplished

With the schedule covered and the contracting company's aircraft available once more, VIASA's services are no longer required.

The ACMI contract has ended.

After completing the necessary checks, the aircraft will be prepared one last time.

All that remains is to bring it home.

The crew will take off from Piarco bound for Maiquetía, completing the return ferry flight and bringing the aircraft back to VIASA's base.

From their departure from Venezuela until their return, the pilots and aircraft will have remained together throughout the entire operation.

Contract Itinerary

FERRY FLIGHT 01
SVMI → TTPP
Positioning the aircraft at the temporary base.

ACMI ROTATION 01 — Lesser Antilles

TTPP → TGPY
Trinidad and Tobago → Grenada

TGPY → TVSA
Grenada → St. Vincent

TVSA → TTPP
St. Vincent → Trinidad and Tobago

ACMI ROTATION 02 — The Guianas

TTPP → SYCJ
Trinidad and Tobago → Guyana

SYCJ → SMJP
Guyana → Suriname

SMJP → TTPP
Suriname → Trinidad and Tobago

FERRY FLIGHT 02
TTPP → SVMI
Contract completion and return to Maiquetía.

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Operational Conditions

VIASA has committed various types of aircraft to meet the contract's capacity requirements. Each captain may select the aircraft best suited to their experience and availability.

Regional turboprops, regional jets, and single-aisle aircraft compatible with the operational airports may be used—including the ATR, Dash 8, CRJ, Embraer, Airbus A319, and Boeing 737 families—subject to the aircraft types authorized by VIASA.

The goal is not to complete the eight sectors as quickly as possible, but to fulfill the contract.

Plan each flight. Adhere to aircraft limitations. Adapt to tropical weather conditions. Maintain punctuality. Conduct efficient stopovers, execute a landing with a maximum descent rate of -600 fpm, and see the aircraft through to the end of its rotation.

Because this time, VIASA is not flying its own schedule.

Another airline depends on us to maintain theirs.

Passion, a love for aviation, commitment, and simulation at the highest level of realism.

VIASA Cargo: Chain of the Americas

History

September brings a new challenge for the crews of VIASA Virtual Airlines.

VIASA Cargo has been selected to participate in an international logistics operation designed to keep a supply chain moving between Venezuela, the United States, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.

The mission begins at Maiquetía International Airport. The first shipment awaits in its cargo hold: Venezuelan coffee selected for export to the international market. Its delivery in Miami will be just the beginning.

From that moment on, the aircraft will be integrated into a logistics chain where each stop will give rise to a new mission. Medical equipment, electronic components, and industrial spare parts will travel to South America, while perishable goods will have to travel the reverse route to North American distribution centers.

In Quito and Bogotá, the crews will be responsible for transporting fresh flowers destined for the U.S. market. Their perishable nature makes time a critical factor: every minute on the ground matters, and maintaining the logistics chain will be essential.

The operation will continue toward the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. A shipment of electronic components, precision machinery, and spare parts will depart from Miami, destined for the Manaus Industrial Park, one of the region's main manufacturing centers.

After completing the delivery in Brazil, the final mission will begin. A new commercial cargo will be prepared for Venezuela, and the aircraft will head back to Maiquetía, concluding an operation that will have spanned five countries and connected some of the continent's most important logistics hubs.

During this mission, each flight will have a purpose, and each shipment will impose its own requirements. The pilots will have to consider weight, fuel, weather, range, flight times, and the characteristics of the cargo they are transporting.

Because for VIASA Virtual Airlines, flying doesn't just mean getting an aircraft from point A to point B.

It means doing so under the philosophy that defines us:

"Passion, love for aviation, commitment, and simulation at the highest level of realism."

Every stopover counts. Every shipment has a destination.

VIASA keeps the supply chain moving.

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Official Itinerary

LEG 01 — Venezuelan Export

SVMI Maiquetía → KMIA Miami

Cargo: Specialty Venezuelan Coffee

Venezuelan producers have consolidated a shipment of select coffee in Maiquetía destined for the international market. VIASA Cargo will be responsible for transporting it to Miami, where it will be received by specialized operators for subsequent distribution.

Cargo Type: High-value agricultural product

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LEG 02 — Supply for Ecuador

KMIA Miami 🇺🇸 → SEQM Quito 🇪🇨

Cargo: Pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, electronics, and spare parts

After unloading the Venezuelan coffee, the aircraft receives high-value merchandise destined for Ecuadorian importers. Part of the cargo requires priority handling and transit time monitoring.

Cargo Type: High-value general cargo / pharmaceutical.

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LEG 03 — Flowers from Ecuador

SEQM Quito 🇪🇨 → KMIA Miami 🇺🇸

Cargo: Fresh Ecuadorian roses and flowers.

The aircraft's mission changes completely. A perishable shipment from the Ecuadorian flower industry, destined for the US market, awaits in Quito.

Reducing ground time and maintaining optimal conditions throughout the operation will be crucial for the flowers to arrive in perfect condition.

Cargo Type: Perishable.

Priority: High.

Special Requirement: Cold chain and minimal transit times.

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LEG 04 — Supply for Colombia

KMIA Miami → SKBO Bogotá

Cargo: Pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, electronics, and industrial spare parts.

The aircraft returns to using Miami as a distribution hub. A new shipment must be transported to Bogotá before beginning another of the most important perishable operations in the rotation.

Cargo Type: High-value general cargo / pharmaceutical.

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LEG 05 — Flowers from Colombia

SKBO Bogotá → KMIA Miami

Cargo: Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, and other cut flowers.

Colombia is one of the world's leading air freight carriers of flowers. VIASA Cargo must transport a perishable shipment from Bogotá to Miami to quickly integrate it into the U.S. distribution network.

A delay could result in the loss of part of the product.

Cargo Type: Perishable.
Priority: Critical.
Special Requirement: Cold chain and minimal time on the ground.

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LEG 06 — Destination: Industrial Amazon

KMIA Miami → SBEG Manaus

Cargo: Electronic components, precision machinery, and industrial spare parts.

After completing the perishable goods, a completely different mission begins.

The cargo is destined for companies in the Manaus Industrial Park. The high value of the components and the need to keep the production lines supplied justify its transport by air.

Cargo Type: Industrial / High Value
Priority: High

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LEG 07 — Return to Venezuela

SBEG Manaus → SVMI Maiquetía

Cargo: Brazilian electronic products and industrial components.

The last delivery has been completed, but the aircraft will not return empty.

VIASA Cargo receives a consolidated shipment of Brazilian goods destined for Venezuelan distributors and companies. The crew must transport it to Maiquetía and then return the aircraft to its base.

With the landing in Venezuela, the Chain of the Americas is complete.

Cargo type: Commercial/Industrial

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Complete Route

SVMI → KMIA → SEQM → KMIA → SKBO → KMIA → SBEG → SVMI

7 legs · 5 countries · 1 international logistics chain