MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South America News: Air traffic increase.

Air traffic increase in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas airport records a constant increase in passenger traffic according to the latest statistics released by the Chilean Civil Aviation Agency, particularly in the high season that extends from September to April but which concentrates in December, January and February. The latest numbers for January 2002 indicate that 20,312 passengers flew into Punta Arenas and 25,463 flew out. In December, 18,090 arrived and 20.181 embarked. As far as the last three years, in 1999, 143,946 arrivals and 158,521 departures; in 2000, 159,779 and 177,331, and in 2001, 172,885 and 178,978. Mr. Nelson Ibáñez, Director of Punta Arenas airport pointed out that contrary to the rest of the world as a direct consequence of the September 11 terrorist attacks, air passenger and freight movement in Magallanes remained steady. "We can say that the war on terrorism has not had an impact in Magallanes air traffic", said Mr. Ibáñez. "We're a regional and international destination but people know that Chile is a safe country". Punta Arenas airport also has a low season in July, August when many Magallanes residents studying mainly in Santiago come home for the winter vacation. In 2001 three passenger airlines operated from Punta Arenas, two of which with daily flights, Aero Continente and Lan Chile. However this season Aero Continente, which almost closed down last year, has three flights a week but Lan Chile has stepped up with more frequencies in high season.

Pasture improvement for sheep farming

For Naldo Almonacid, pasture improvement and ensuring Magallanes unique sanitary conditions are essential for the development of successful sheep farming. Mr. Almonacid is the Magallanes Corriedale farmer who most prizes won in the Punta Arenas recent Agricultural Show organized by the regional Cattle Breeders Association, that this year celebrated its fiftieth annual event. Mr. Almonacid has a 10,000 acres farm, Teheul Aike Sur, to the north of Punta Arenas where together with his son they breed just over 5,000 Corriedale. "I'm convinced the motto for successful farming is "without improved pastures, there's no improved breeding", and in Magallane