MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lan Argentina begins flights to Rio Gallegos

Chilean flag carrier associate Lan Argentina will begin next September daily flights Buenos Aires-Rio Gallegos, was officially announced over the weekend by Argentine Federal Planning Office minister Julio de Vido in the Government House of Patagonian Santa Cruz province.

Lan Argentina is taking over the route of defunct Southern Winds and will therefore be competing with Aerolineas Argentinas the only carrier currently flying to Rio Gallegos from Buenos Aires.

Mr. de Vido said that "having another airline operating will undoubtedly mean more competition, better fares and opportunities to fly".

A spokesperson for Lan Argentina indicated that as of October, and in coincidence with the summer season, the number of flights will be doubled.

The Argentine official also supported recent statements from Defence Minister Jose Pampuro who said that LADE, (Argentina's Air Force commercial airline) will be re equipped with new aircraft.

"We're interested in more airlines flying to Patagonia, that's why we are considering supporting the Air Force's budget so they can recover LADE, but we're also interested in more private airlines competing in Argentina's air travel market", emphasized Mr. de Vido.

In related news the Corporations Superintendent Office, ICJ, which regulates compliance with Argentine corporation law, announced legal actions against Aero 2000, the corporate name of Lan Argentina.

Apparently Lan Chile holds 49% of Inversora Cordillera, which controls Aero 2000, with the rest 51%, belonging to a Buenos Aires attorneys office. But ICJ argues it has discovered that Inversora Cordillera is actually 95% under control of Lan Chile, and if so it's illegal.

Ricardo Nissen head of ICJ went further and anticipated he would also press charges against the attorneys' office involved before the Discipline Tribunal of the Buenos Aires Solicitors Bar.