ConViasa Airlines (Caracas) has added three additional Embraer ERJ 190-100s (YV2911, YV2912 and YV2913) as the state airline slowly replaces its aging Boeing 737-200 fleet. The company plans to expand the Embraer fleet to 20 aircraft.

Venezuela, despite its robust petroleum economy, has the oldest airline fleet in Latin America according to the Curacao Chronicle. In fact, national newspaper El Nacional has reported the Venezuelan fleet has decreased by 52.3 percent in the past four years from 130 aircraft to 68 aircraft. The situation is actually worse since many aircraft remain grounded due to a lack of replacement parts and the lack of maintenance money according to the report.

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Update: At the Paris Airshow, Embraer issued this statement:

Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronauticas y Servicios Aereos, S.A. (conViasa) has signed a contract for seven Embraer 190 jets, exercising options from the original order released in July 2012, which provided for six firm orders and 14 options.

ConViasa now has a total of 13 firm orders for the E190 jet, besides options for another seven aircraft of the same model.

ConViasa currently operates six E190 jets on regional routes in Venezuela and in the Caribbean. By the end of 2013, the airline will be operating a total of twelve E190 jets, all configured with 104 seats in a single class.

Copyright Photo: Orlando Suarez/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100STD YV2849 (msn 19000509) climbs gracefully away from the Caracas hub.

ConViasa Airlines: