Avior Regional (Barcelona José Antonio Anzoategui) has secured its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Venezuelan civil aviation authority (Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil - INAC) in line with parent Avior Airlines' plans to increase its domestic footprint.

Using a fleet of six ex-Air Astana Fokker 50s, Avior Regional commenced scheduled operations from Caracas Simón Bolivar to Barinas and Valera on March 11 with plans to also offer service on other underdeveloped routes such as Carúpano, Maturín, San Tomé, Coro, Barquisimeto, San Fernando de Apure, Puerto Ayacucho, Cumana and Canaima.

Thereafter, managing director Gianfranco Farina says the subsidiary will also open up international flights with Curaçao among the first planned destinations.

Until the carrier's launch, Avior had focussed on serving Caracas Simón Bolivar, Porlamar, Puerto Ordaz/Ciudad Guayana, and Valencia Arturo Michelena International locally in addition to Manta International, Miami International, and Panamá City Tocumen International internationally.