LAN Reports 11.9 Percent Increase in September Traffic

LAN Airlines S.A. has reported its preliminary monthly traffic statistics and punctuality indicators for September 2009. System passenger traffic for September increased 11.9 percent as capacity rose 9.3 percent. As a result, the company’s load factor increased 1.8 points to 78.8 percent. International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 71 percent of total passenger traffic.

Domestic passenger traffic in Chile, Argentina, Peru and Ecuador rose 17.5 percent as capacity increased 15 percent. As a consequence, the domestic load factor for the month increased 1.6 points to 77 percent. International passenger traffic for September rose 9.8 percent as capacity increased 7.1 percent.

Accordingly, the international passenger load factor for the month increased 1.9 points to 79.6 percent. International capacity was mainly driven by an increase in operations on routes to Europe and the South Pacific, partially offset by a decrease on certain regional routes. In line with the global decrease in import and export markets, during the month of September cargo traffic decreased 8 percent.

This decrease was mainly due to the slowdown in import and export markets in Latin America, as well as the reduction of salmon exports from Chile. In line with the decrease in demand, capacity fell 7 percent, mainly through the reduction of ACMI leases. The cargo load factor reached its highest level this year at 69.8 percent.