MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

DAP ready for Antarctic air cruises.

DAP Airways from Punta Arenas is planning fifteen air cruises to Antarctica this coming season between November and March 15 totaling 700 visitors. Last season the number of cruises was twelve and the visitors 400.

Andrés Pivcevic DAP General Manager said that at the end of October the Canadian chartered Dash-7 should be in Punta Arenas ready for the summer cruises, "and a second aircraft could be coming for the following season if business continues to expand".

DAP works in conjunction with Antarctica XXI but also takes passengers from cruises calling in Punta Arenas who wish to make a day's visit to Antarctica, basically the Chilean base of President Frei in King George island.

"The big plus for visitors is that they are provided with the adequate clothing and can actually walk in Antarctic territory and see with their own eyes Antarctic rookeries, sea mammals and sea birds. And when they get back home they can say I've been to Antarctica", argues Mr. Pivcevic.

A full day's air expedition to Antarctica costs 1,800 US dollars per capita and includes the flight, food, Antarctic trek and guide, "all of which is a reasonable price for those tourists from sea cruises that cost thousands of dollars. It's the culmination of their travel, possibly the most attractive and remembered experience of their trip".

Air cruise groups are usually between 40/45 people in the Dash 7, but there are also smaller parties that can fly with the King Air.

However for tourists wishing to extend their stay and spend several days in Antarctica there's the expedition option, nine people at the most with a guide and comfortable facilities in the Chilean base of President Base.

"Permanent international promotion in Europe, Canada and the United States has been vital for the expansion of the Antarctic air cruise business and now we are targeting Japan and China", added Mr. Pivcevic.

Antarctica XXI also recently incorporated the first Chilean cruise vessel that this season is expected to make week long trips to Antarctica from Punta Arenas and Patagonian coast tours off-season.

"The cruise vessel "Antarctic Dream" is clear evidence of how attractive the Antarctic tourism industry is, both for international and domestic investors, and in this particular case it only emphasized Chile's commitment with Antarctica", concluded Mr. Pivcevic.