MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean domestic air traffic expanding 5/6% annually

Chilean domestic air traffic is growing at an annual rate of 5 to 6% and in the last fifteen years the number of passengers jumped from 3 to 10 million revealed Chile's Civil Aviation Director Enrique Rosende Alba.

"This indicates the industry has a great future both in growth rates and services supply which will mean better prices for travelers and an increase in the number of air transport users", said Rosende Alba during a recent visit to Punta Arenas, in the extreme south of Chile.

"Lan is advancing towards a more accessible, low cost, rates structure which is also helping the company take advantage of the full potential of its fleet", added Rosende Alba.

Regarding air safety conditions the Civil Aviation Director pointed out that the system is very efficient and well coordinated with all airlines.

"Chile has one of the lowest air accident rates in the world, which doesn't automatically mean we're going to remain top of the line. But it's a fact to be underlined. And this is the work of air comptrollers and the operating companies which have made great efforts in introducing new technologies".

Rosendo Alba finally pointed out the increase in domestic air traffic both passengers and cargo, which has jumped from 120.000 to 320.000 tons in the last fifteen years.