MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean international air traffic grows 6,7%

During the first nine months international air traffic in Chile increased 6,7% totaling 2,7 million passengers compared to the same period a year before.

However during September the positive tendency of previous months actually declined 0,5% (289,520 passengers) according to the Chilean Civil Aviation Agency.

The five most active international airlines during the first nine months were Lan Chile, Aerolineas Argentinas, Varig, American Airlines and Iberia dominating 75,8% of the market. The five with greater rates of growth include Lan Peru, Sky Service, Lufthansa, Pluna and Aerolineas Argentinas. The main international destinations are still Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Madrid and Miami.

However regarding domestic air traffic during September the positive tendency continued with a 6,7% expansion (233,463 passengers), totaling so far 2,159,974, which represents a 4,7% increase over the same period in 2003.

Sky Airlines during September managed to capture 18,7% of the Chilean domestic market.

Regarding international air cargo during September it suffered a 7,7% drop reaching 18,149 tons of which Lan Chile has the largest share, 10,062 tons equivalent to 55,4% followed by Polar Air Cargo 7%, Varig 5% and Cielos del Peru 4,7%.

In the first nine months of 2004, international air cargo shows a 2,6% increase and domestic air cargo a 1,8% rise.