RUTACA Airlines
RUTACA Airlines, legally Rutas Aéreas C.A., is an airline headquartered in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela with its home base at Tomás de Heres Airport and a hub at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas.
History
Rutaca was established and began operations in 1974. It currently operates scheduled and charter services throughout the country. The airline's operations suffered gravely during the 2017 Venezuelan constitutional crisis, including suspending flights between key routes such as Puerto Ordaz-Caracas.Destinations
, RUTACA Airlines serves the following destinations:| Country | City | Airport | Refs/Notes | - | - | - | - |
| Country | City | Airport | Refs/Notes | Venezuela | Barcelona | General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport | |
| Venezuela | Caracas | Simón Bolívar International Airport | Hub | - | - | - | - |
| Venezuela | Ciudad Bolívar | Tomás de Heres Airport | base | - | - | - | - |
| Venezuela | Porlamar | Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport | - | - | - | - |
Fleet
The RUTACA Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft| Aircraft | In Fleet | Orders | Passengers |
| Boeing 737-200 | 1 | — | 99 |
| Total | 1 | — |
Accidents and incidents
- On 25 January 2001, RUTACA Airlines Flight 225, a Rutaca Douglas DC-3 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, killing all 20 passengers and four crew members.
- On 16 October 2008, a Rutaca Boeing 737-200, registered YV162T, landed on runway 28R at Caracas-Simón Bolívar International Airport following a domestic flight from Puerto Ordaz. After touchdown the airplane swerved to the left. The nose came to rest on the runway embankment.
- On 15 February 2009, a Rutaca Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registered YV1950, overran the runway at Guasdualito-Vare Maria Airport following a domestic flight from San Fernando de Apure. The airplane sustained damage to the propeller and underside of the fuselage.
- On 27 July 2010, a Rutaca Boeing 737-200, registered YV169T, made an emergency landing at Ciudad Guayana international airport following a domestic flight from Ciudad Bolivar after problems in engine 1.