MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New airline to Punta Arenas next October

Aerolíneas del Sur belonging to Aerolineas Argentinas is scheduled to begin operations in Chile towards the end of next October.

"We're currently giving the final touch to the logistics and training pilots, crew and support staff; our target is the second half of October but give take fifteen days", said Gustavo Adolfo Manns General Manager of Aerolíneas in Chile.

Apparently Aerolíneas Sur will begin flying with five Boeing 737-200 and "we're planning a daily flight to Punta Arenas; if the situation improves we could consider a second flight", indicated Mr. Mann.

Aerolíneas Sur plans to begin links between Santiago and the extreme regions of Chile, Antofagasta and Iquique in the north, and Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in the south.

"Our international flights will be to Buenos Aires, Madrid, Miami and Sao Paulo", revealed Mr. Mann with Tahiti and Easter Island in a second stage.

"Tourism has been booming in Chile and areas such as the lakes region in the south, Punta Arenas as a gateway for Antarctica and Torres del Paine national part are some of the main attractions for foreign visitors", highlighted Mr. Mann.

However he said air rates will be known "when we're ready to fly".

Aerolíneas Argentinas currently is under the control of the Spanish tourism group Marsans.