MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lan Chile traffic kept expanding in June

Chilean Lan airline and associates, one of the main South American passenger and cargo carriers, experienced an important increase in passenger/mile and aircraft occupation during last June.

According to a Lan release, the passenger/mile index surged 18,7%, aircraft capacity 14,5% with the occupation rate increased two points reaching 69,5%.

This was particularly strong in overseas flights with a 22,2% jump in passenger/mile, capacity 17,6% with the occupation factor at 71%.

Europe and South Pacific as well as the development of Latinamerican routes, and domestic traffic in Peru helped boost activity in June.

However in the Chilean domestic market, the passenger/mile index contracted 2,3%, capacity 1,9% and the occupation factor slid to 59,8%. The company explains the difference arguing it's the result of the new itineraries.

Cargo traffic in June increased 1,8% and capacity 10,4% resulting in a 5,5 drop in the occupation index to 65,5%. A lesser demand from Latinamerican markets influenced June results, says Lan.

As to punctuality Lan Chile keeps a good record with 81,7% of all flights leaving on time, even when it represents a slight (1,6) drop from June 2004