S3 · BBR · Active
Santa Barbara Airlines
Venezuela · SANTA BARBARA

6
Routes
4
Hubs
BBR
ICAO
S3
IATA
TravelerPulse profile
Connecting Venezuela with reliable regional air service.
Founded
1996
Headquarters
Caracas, Venezuela
Santa Barbara Airlines was a Venezuelan regional and domestic carrier that operated scheduled passenger services across Venezuela and to select international destinations in South America and the Caribbean. The airline was named after the patron saint of the Venezuelan plains region and served as an important link between smaller Venezuelan cities and the capital, Caracas.
The airline faced significant operational and financial challenges typical of Venezuelan carriers during the country's prolonged economic crisis. Santa Barbara Airlines ultimately ceased operations, a fate shared by several other Venezuelan airlines amid fuel shortages, currency controls, and broader economic instability in Venezuela during the 2010s.
Hubs & network
The airline primarily operated from Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) in Caracas as its main hub.
Fleet
Santa Barbara Airlines operated a mixed fleet that included Boeing 737 series aircraft for its scheduled passenger routes.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Santa Bárbara, the patron saint venerated in Venezuela's llanos (plains) region.
- ›Operated both domestic Venezuelan routes and limited international services.
- ›The airline ceased operations amid Venezuela's severe economic crisis in the 2010s.
- ›Carried the ICAO callsign SANTA BARBARA and IATA code S3.
- ›Was one of several Venezuelan private carriers to struggle or fail due to government currency and fuel policies.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
Primary hubs
Route network map (6 legs)









Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Route network
CCS → MIA767 757
CCS → PTY757
CCS → TFN767
MIA → CCS767 757
PTY → CCS757
TFN → CCS767
Fleet (aircraft types operated)
Encyclopaedia
Santa Bárbara Airlines, also branded as SBA Airlines, was an airline with its headquarters on the third floor of the Edificio Tokay in Caracas, Venezuela. It operated scheduled domestic and international services. Its main base was Simón Bolívar International Airport, Maiquetía (Caracas).
Read full article on WikipediaLatest news
Simple Flying· 2/21/2023
Santa Bárbara Airlines Flight 518: Formerly The ATR 42's Deadliest Accident
Read at Simple Flying
noozhawk.com· 8/22/2021
Frustrated Santa Barbara Airport Neighbors Sounding Off Over Jetliner Noise
Read at noozhawk.com
ClassAction.org· 6/1/2017
SBA Airlines Is Second to Face Class Action Over Hidden 'Exit Fees'
Read at ClassAction.org
AirlineReporter· 12/5/2016
Browsing Tag: Airline Livery
Read at AirlineReporter
China.org.cn· 2/23/2008
All 46 die in airplane crash in Venezuela
Read at China.org.cn
Reason Magazine· 12/7/2019
Socialism Killed My Father
Read at Reason Magazine
