MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lan cheaper rates increased 30% summer traffic to Punta Arenas

Lan's new air rates policy has increased passenger traffic between Punta Arenas and Santiago in the last five months by 30.000, of which almost half had never boarded an airplane according to company officials.

Jorge Vilches, Chile's flag carrier Domestic Routes Manager together with Alfredo Arbizu Sales Manager, in a recent visit to Punta Arenas said that the average 30% rebate in Lan domestic air rates mainly in tourist class had "a resounding response from travelers, forcing the competition to follow us". "Our new business approach which we begun last October 15 had a resounding response from travelers with a 40% jump in domestic flight passengers between November and March" said Vilches. "Between November 2006 and March 2007 we flew 30.000 additional passengers in the Punta Arenas/Santiago route, 45% of which had never boarder an aircraft", he added. More specifically in Punta Arenas the number of foreign visitors traveling to the area this summer increased 27%, equivalent to over 7.000 new tourists "who have visited Punta Arenas and the region". Vilches also forecasted that the opening of a casino in Punta Arenas scheduled for next year should further boost interest in Chilean Patagonia. Alfredo Arbizu Sales Manager announced that the Punta Arenas connection with Puerto Madryn in Argentina this year will become effective next August in coincidence with the whales watching season in Peninsula Valdes. "I'm sure that US and European tourists who will be coming for the whales will also take the opportunity to visit Punta Arenas and the Torres del Paine national park, which will be a boost for tourism in the region", said Arbizu. Further on Vilches revealed that Lan investment in the 2006/08 period will exceed a billion US dollars with the incorporation of 32 new Airbus units (A320, A319 and A 318) as the old Boeings are fazed out. "Airbuses are fitted with 168 seats, consume less fuel, are cheaper to maintain, which will enable Lan to keep lowering air rates, meaning the so called promotion rates will become permanent", said Arbizu. The cheapest tourist class return tickets Santiago/Punta Arenas average 150 US dollars since last December.