By Juan Pedro Sanchez Zamudio
More Than 600,000 Passengers Were Transported in Chile During November
The monthly report of the Chilean Civil Aeronautical Board shows that passenger statistics remain 69.8% below the 2019 rates, but ratify the progressive increase in passengers on national and international routes.
In November, there was a 38.9% increase in passengers transported compared to October. 608,883 passengers were transported on national and international flights, which compared to the same period in 2019 represents a drop of 69.8%.
According to data from the Chilean Civil Aeronautical Board, in November, 502,369 passengers were transported within Chile, with a 58.7% drop, compared to the same month of 2019, while on international routes there were 106,514 passengers, 86.7% less than the previous year.
The accumulated January – November totals passengers transported are 8,621,401. From this number, 5,801,405 were passengers transported within Chile and 2,819,996 with international origin or destination. These numbers represent 63.8% less than in the same period of the previous year.
The main national destinations were Antofagasta, Calama, Iquique and Concepción. Internationally, the list was headed by Miami, Lima and Buenos Aires.
According to the aeronautical report, in November 41,693 tons of cargo were transported, which represents a growth of 10.5%, relative to 2019. On domestic flights, 39,065 tons were transported, which represents an increase of 13.2%; and, internationally, 2,628 tons were transported, representing a drop of 18.1%.
In the consolidated of the year, the tons of air cargo reached 355,438 tons, registering a slight fall of 3.4%, compared to the same period of the previous year.
Regarding mail transport, 1,549 tons of mail were transported on national and international flights in November, 42.8% more in 2019. With these numbers, 13,833 tons of mail were transported in the January – November period, which represents an increase of 18.9%, compared to the same period in 2019.
The Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Gloria Hutt, pointed out that “since March of this year, air traffic has registered a significant drop due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, although it continues to be below the figures of a regular year, from the order of 15 million passengers less compared to the January – November period of last year, since June we have been registering a progressive recovery. May was the most critical month, with drops of 91.2% in domestic flights and 98.9% in international ones. In November, on the other hand, the gap has narrowed, reaching a decrease of 58.7% in domestic and -69.8% in international routes”.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Board’s Secretary, Martín Mackenna, stated that “this year we will close with an annual drop of approximately 64.3% compared to 2019 in terms of passengers transported. Without a doubt, we have a great challenge for 2021 to continue recovering connectivity as the health situation improves. It is very important to highlight the role that commercial aviation has for the development of the country and that is why we are working together with the different organs of the State so that air transport is carried out safely”.
The three things Juan Pedro loves most about aviation are aircraft, airports, and traveling thousands of miles in just a few hours. What he enjoys the most about aviation is that it is easier and cheaper to travel around the world and this gives you the opportunity to visit places you thought were too far away. He has traveled to different destinations in North, Central, South America and Asia. Born, raised and still living in Perú, Juan is a lawyer, soccer lover, foodie, passionate traveler, dog lover, millennial and curious by nature.
