LAN Airlines January System Passenger Traffic Up 15%

LAN Airlines has reported that its system passenger traffic for January 2008 increased 15% as capacity rose 12%, over the same period of 2007.

LAN Airlines’ January load factor increased 2.2 points to 80.3%. International passenger traffic for January rose 12.9% as capacity increased 11.6%. International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 85% of total passenger traffic. Accordingly, the international passenger load factor for the month increased one point to 80.3%.

The airlines has reported that its long-haul capacity grew due to an increase in operations to the US, Europe, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. Domestic passenger traffic in Chile rose 28.4% as capacity increased 14%. As a consequence, the domestic load factor for the month increased nine points to 80%.

LAN Airlines’ January cargo traffic increased 9.1% as capacity rose 13.4%. As a consequence, the cargo load factor decreased 2.8 points to 70.7%. Cargo traffic grew mainly as a result of stronger imports into the region, partially offset by the continued weakness of exports from Brazil.