MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Punta Arenas based DAP incorporates new aircraft for Antarctic charters

DAP BAE-146 can carry 100 passengers

Chile’s DAP airlines, which at one time was the link between Punta Arenas and the Falkland Islands, has incorporated a second BAE-146 for seasonal charter flights to Antarctica.

The four engine aircraft acquired through a leasing can transport 100 passengers, has six hours autonomy and was flown from the Faeroe Islands in the North Atlantic.

According to the Punta Arenas media the operation involved over 4 million US dollars including associate costs such as spares and training of pilots overseas.

“We need the extra aircraft to consolidate our growing Antarctic operations and to ensure we have a support in case of need”, said Alex Pivcevic manager and associate of the charter company that has a fleet of small aircraft and helicopters for regional operations.

Pivcevic said that the arrival of the new aircraft coincides with the Antarctic Week celebrations in Punta Arenas and praised the Chilean government and local officials for boosting Punta Arenas as the main access to Antarctica.

“We are doing our share with the incorporation of the new aircraft”, said Pivcevic.

“The BAE 146 will also fly charters with tourists both from Ushuaia and El Calafate in Argentina” revealed the Chilean airline entrepreneur.

The incorporation is also part of DAP celebrations for its thirty years of activities in the Magallanes region and Antarctica.