MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Significant increase in Chile/Spain air traffic

Lan Chile was awarded this week seven frequencies to Spain in an open bid from the Chilean Civil Aviation Junta.

The frequencies are for five years, beginning this week four of them and the other three as of next October 2005, and follow a recent open skies agreement signed with Spain totalling fourteen weekly frequencies for each side.

Last Saturday a low-cost airline began operating between Spain and Chile. "Air Madrid" Airbus A-340/300 will be flying twice a week non stop Madrid/Santiago/Madrid.

Flights to Spain will be leaving Santiago Thursday and Friday and from Madrid Wednesday and Thursday. As of August there will be a third weekly frequency.

"Air Madrid" president Jose Carrillo was present in the inaugural flight and praised Chile for its open skies policy which stimulates innovation and business development.

The low-cost Spanish airline already flies to Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

As of July first a mutual cooperation agreement between Lan Chile and Japan Airlines for frequent travellers became effective. This means that Lan Pass and JAL Mileage Bank holders will be able to accumulate miles and prizes.

Japan Airlines which has 17 million members in JAL Mileage Bank is the main Asian airline operating from 208 airports in 35 different countries and territories with 227 international routes and 60 destinations in the domestic market.

In related news Air Canada announced it will be increasing the number of direct flights Toronto/Santiago/Toronto from the current four weekly to five in November, and six in December. Skytrax recently nominated Air Canada as the best airline in North America.