Interconnection of South American airlines could pay off

Several South American air carriers are weighing a possible interconnection of their flights in an effort to give tourism a mighty leg up among the countries of the region.

Alvaro Benavides, chairman of the Tourism Committee attached to the Lima Chamber of Commerce, explained the initiative turned up on the heels of a recent meeting held in the Peruvian capital by industry authorities from ten regional countries.

South American nations huddled at the request of Peru to sit down and lay out a strategy good enough to put a halt to a staggering tourist industry worldwide that’s been hit hard by recent international conflicts and heightened travel risks.

Mr. Benavides pointed out that “less U.S. and European travelers are coming to South America because people prefer not to take long-haul trips given the ongoing global uncertainty.”

The designer of travel packages being offered among South American nations, and a member of the working commission, announced the public will soon hear about the interconnection proposal among airlines, its benefits and discount offers.

In Mr. Benavides’ opinion, the shortage of flight connections makes traveling harder within South America. “For instance, when flying from Asuncion to Lima,” he said, “you’ve got to go up first to Miami and then come down again.”

“We’ve got all our hopes pinned on the Peruvian proposal as the only way out of this crumbling tourist industry. We’re not estimating any growth whatsoever. We just want to keep up last year’s market levels,” he concluded.