Conviasa Launches Caracas – St. Petersburg Flights With A Stop In Varadero
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Venezuela’s state airline Conviasa has inaugurated regular service linking Caracas (CCS) and St. Petersburg (LED), featuring a commercial stopover in Varadero, Cuba (VRA). The first flight departed on November 1, 2025, marking the carrier’s second Russia route alongside its existing Moscow service. Operations are scheduled twice weekly.
Route & schedule (local times)
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CCS → VRA → LED
Fridays: departs Caracas (CCS) 16:00 → commercial stop Varadero (VRA) → arrives St. Petersburg (LED) -
LED → VRA → CCS
Sundays: departs St. Petersburg (LED) 22:30 → commercial stop Varadero (VRA) → arrives Caracas (CCS)
Frequencies: 2× weekly (Friday westbound departure from CCS; Sunday eastbound departure from LED)
Aircraft & onboard
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Type: Airbus A340-600
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Configuration: 311 seats (all-economy/premium details not disclosed)
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The A340-600’s long-range capability suits the combined stage lengths with a single fuel and service stop at VRA.
Airport codes & segment distances (great-circle, approx.)
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CCS (Caracas) – VRA (Varadero): ~1,281 mi / 1,113 nm
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VRA (Varadero) – LED (St. Petersburg): ~5,557 mi / 4,829 nm
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Total via VRA: ~6,838 mi / 5,942 nm
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Direct CCS–LED (for reference): ~5,837 mi / 5,072 nm
(Distances are approximate great-circle measurements; actual routings vary with winds, ATC, and airspace constraints.)
Why Varadero?
The planned commercial stop at Varadero (VRA) enables fueling, servicing, and potential local traffic on the intermediate leg, while also creating a Caribbean–St. Petersburg link highlighted by Pulkovo Airport. This structure broadens the route’s revenue base and operational flexibility versus an all-oceanic nonstop.
Network context
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Regional strategy: The new CCS–VRA–LED service complements Conviasa’s Moscow flights, deepening Venezuela–Russia connectivity and supporting tourism and cargo flows.
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Market positioning: With twice-weekly frequencies and widebody capacity, the route targets visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic, leisure demand to the Caribbean, and bilateral trade links that benefit from through-checked cargo and bags.
Bottom line
Conviasa’s Caracas–Varadero–St. Petersburg launch brings twice-weekly A340-600 service (311 seats) linking CCS, VRA, and LED. The commercial stop in Varadero expands revenue opportunities and operational resilience while establishing St. Petersburg’s first regular link to Venezuela.
