Chile Boasts Fast-Paced Growth in Airline Connectivity

Within the next twelve months, two domestic and six international carriers plan to begin flights serving Chilean destinations. Eight airlines are expected to expand into Chilean airways within the next year, according to a report from El Mercurio. This was reported by the Santiago Times.

Two small domestic carriers, One Airlines and ChileJet, will begin flights within the country, trying to break into a domestic market which is largely dominated by LAN, the nation’s flag carrier airline.

A recent Center for Aviation (CAPA) report claims LAN controls 75 percent of the domestic market. However, an increasing amount of domestic travelers suggests room for more carriers. According the civil aviation authority, JAC, the domestic passenger market grew by 16 percent in 2013.

Fifteen international airlines carriers currently operate in Santiago, but by the end of the year, the number is expected to increase to 23. Several of the new airlines are European-based, many of which are including flights to Santiago as part of their efforts to build a presence in the continent.

The first international carrier to begin new flights to Santiago will be the Dutch airline, KLM, with flights from Amsterdam to Santiago starting Feb. 2, 2014. A media relations representative from KLM told The Santiago Times that the new route to Santiago is part of KLM’s effort to grow throughout Latin America.

Additionally, the Italian carrier Alitalia announced in a press release that it categorized Santiago as a new route with “high traffic potential.” The press release stated flights will begin sometime between 2014 and 2016.

The Spanish carrier Air Europa has similar plans for a route between Santiago and Madrid that will commence in the first trimester of 2014, according to El Mercurio.

Source: eturbonews.com