MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Air passenger traffic record for Chile

Chile's airline industry set a historic record in June, welcoming more international traffic than any other year at this time, 287.966 passengers.

A 6.5% growth in international flights was registered during the first half of 2006 in relation to the same period in 2005, with a total of 2,064,293 passengers serviced, reports Chile's Civil Aeronautics Junta.

Passenger traffic has grown all year. In the case of domestic flights, the amount of transported passengers increased 6.2%, totaling 1.608.959 passengers. Sky Airlines has seen its share of domestic market drop from 20.4 to 20% and Aerolineas del Sur increased to 8.3% in June from 7.2% in May. However in those only routes where they fly, in the case of Sky Airlines their share has contracted to 22.7% and for Aerolineas del Sur it increased to 15.7% in June from May's 14%.

Chile's flag carrier LAN remains the dominant airline both in international and domestic flights, while American Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Varig, Iberia, and Air France all carried over 70,000 passengers. Together with Lan these five companies represent 73.7% of international traffic.

The most important international destinations in June were Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Miami, and Lima, all registering at least 60,000 passengers. During 2006, the trip between Santiago and Buenos Aires remains the most popular, with 447,842 air passengers, 300,000 more than second place Lima. Still, the Santiago/Buenos Aires route lost 6.5% of its passengers, compared to the same period last year.

Regarding international cargo, during the first half of 2006, traffic decreased 1.9% compared to the same period in 2005. The main air cargo companies in June were Lan with 10.947 tons, 57.3%; followed by Polar Air Cargo, 1.696, 8.9%; American Airlines 1.115 tons, 5.8%; Cielos del Peru, 910 tons, 4.8%; Martinair Holland, 589 tons, 3,1%; and Tampa, 572 tons, 3%.

As to domestic cargo traffic, the volume in the first half of the year also dropped 3.3%. The most important volume routes are: Santiago-Iquique, 18.3%; Santiago-Antofagasta 15.1%; Santiago-Punta Arenas 14.4% and Santiago-Easter Island 10.7%.

By Alex Ogle The Santiago Times - News about Chile