MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Aerolíneas del Sur ready for take off.

If the Chilean Civil Aviation Agency in its November 17 meeting authorizes Aerolíneas del Sur operations in Chile's domestic market, the inaugural flight to Punta Arenas is scheduled for December 5 and the following day return to Santiago.

Aerolíneas del Sur, (belonging to Aerolíneas Argentinas), Marketing Manager Gustavo Manns said the company has three US leased Boeing 737/100, certified by Chilean authorities, ready to begin operations and "we've come to Punta Arenas to talk with Bishop Tomás González and invite him to the blessing of our offices".

"Punta Arenas, Iquique, Antofagasta and Puerto Montt will be our first destinations but we plan to cover the whole Chilean domestic market", said Mr. Manns.

"Our company is made up of Spanish, Argentine and Chilean investors and we consider Chile a serious country that has always been open to foreign investments", explained Mr. Manns when asked about the partners behind Aerolíneas del Sur.

"The main investor is Marsans Group a tourism operator based in Barcelona, which owns six airlines and hotels all over the world", insisted Mr. Manns who said the company did not fear Lan Chile's competition.

Regarding air rates Santiago/Punta Arenas, Mr. Manns said that the recent announcement, --19% cheaper than current fares--, stands and "we will try to have a policy as flexible as possible; we're not going to give away rates, but given soaring fuel costs we will act clearly, concisely and with most respect towards clients".

Further on Mr. Manns said Aerolineas del Sur has an agency Pacific Feeder, "which is working full speed preparing for bookings and flights, and if next Wednesday we are given the green light by the Civil Aviation Agency we'll be directly contracting up to 300 people for airport operations with the creation of another 300 indirect jobs".