Challenging times lie ahead for Avior Airlines. Once regarded as the most robust private airline in the country, it now faces multiple battles that could lead to its disappearance, similar to Aserca Airlines and its counterpart PAWA Dominicana, owned by Simeón García.
In response to the uncertainty felt by travelers, who fear being stranded with purchased tickets, Avior has taken to social media to declare the news surrounding them as fake news. Below, we outline the specific issues that could abruptly disrupt the vacations of passengers holding tickets with this airline:
Shareholder Control in Miami: A group of shareholders led by Carlos Kauffmann and Moisés Maionica (notorious for their involvement in the Antonini Wilson suitcase case) won a lawsuit in Miami against Jorge Añez and Juan Bracamonte, shareholder and president of Avior, respectively, for control of the airline. In this lawsuit, Judge Michael Hanzman ruled that Añez lacked the authority to represent Avior and indicated that there was overwhelming evidence he had manipulated the company’s accounting and formed an “illegitimate board of associates” to take control of the troubled airline. In essence, this ruling acknowledges that the owners of Avior in Venezuela and Colombia differ from those recognized in the United States.
Sale of an Airbus to Maduro: With all Conviasa aircraft sanctioned by several European and North American countries, in 2020 the Maduro government purchased an Airbus 340-300 from Avior, which currently bears Conviasa’s colors and is used by the regime for long-distance flights, recently loaned to Cuban dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel for his European tour. This transaction was not a straightforward sale, but rather a settlement for debts owed by Roberto’s and Jorge Añez to the national government. This aircraft, the sole Airbus in Avior’s fleet, may soon face sanctions like the others belonging to Conviasa.
Flight Ban to Europe: Since 2019 – renewed in 2022 – Avior has been on a list of 130 airlines banned from flying over Schengen territory due to the European Union’s assessment that “the airline continues to offer inadequate safety when flying and maintains its recommendation to avoid boarding its planes for travel.” In addition to being banned from flying to the United States, Avior’s market is restricted to smaller destinations such as Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and a few other Caribbean regions.
Tour Operator for Wealthy Chavistas: Aleczander Añez, son of Avior shareholder Roberto Añez, founded Miami Luxury Yacht Group and MWC Charter & Concierge, companies dedicated to yacht sales and luxury vacation planning, catering primarily to government officials and associates of the Maduro regime. This raised alarms among U.S. authorities as they observed substantial sums of money entering these companies’ accounts without justification. A Wells Fargo account, also signed by Rebeca García Teppa, wife of Roberto Añez, remains under embargo, amid concerns that he resides in the United States on a student visa that prohibits him from engaging in business ventures.
PDVSA Crypto: Jorge and Aleczander Añez, sons of Avior’s main shareholders Jorge and Roberto Añez, were the operational heads of a scheme whereby the Venezuelan government lent tens of millions of dollars to Avior, charging only 50% of its value. The plan was to invest this money to modernize the airline’s fleet, continuing to use it as a “private” airline while in reality serving as the air transportation for government officials where Conviasa could not operate due to sanctions. Following the imprisonment of the head of Sunacrip, Joselit Ramírez, who orchestrated the operation – pushed by Jesús Vergara Betancourt – the wallets holding these cryptocurrencies disappeared, prompting the Añez children to flee quickly to their residence in Doral, Florida. Currently, the 73rd Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry is pursuing their capture for court proceedings. Europol is also investigating this case.