By Juan Pedro Sanchez Zamudio
Airlines Prepare to Increase Routes and Frequencies in Chile
After the gradual opening of borders since Monday, until 15:00 (GMT-3) on Tuesday, a total of 3,983 passengers have entered to Chile through the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Pudahuel, Santiago de Chile, of which 921 were tourists.
As announced, From Nov. 23, foreigners are allowed to enter Chile through the Pudahuel Airport in Santiago as long as they comply with current health regulations. The Minister of Transport, Gloria Hutt explained, “the health authority ordered that all people who enter, regardless of the country of origin, must carry the negative result of a PCR COVID-19 test, which has to be carried out up to 72 hours before the moment of entry to Chile.”
Likewise, passengers must carry the Affidavit for Travelers that is available at www.c19.cl and health insurance. Foreigners will also be subject to a “Travelers Surveillance Period” for 14 days after entering the country.
According to a release made by the Chilean Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, for Chilean citizens and resident foreigners, the entry conditions are mandatory 14-day quarantine, from which they may be exempted with a negative result of a PCR COVID-19 test, the Affidavit of Travelers and accept entry to the Traveler Surveillance period. Those who do not bring a negative PCR COVID-19 test from abroad can take a test in Chile and if it is negative, they can be exempted from quarantine.
One of the main points for the arrival of tourists is the operation of the routes between Chile and the rest of the world. It is proven around the world that biosafety protocols in the aviation industry work, with minimal chances of COVID-19 infections.
According to diariofinanciero, Sky Airline’s CEO, José Ignacio Dougnac, indicated that, even though there were no signs of border opening in June, the firm was preparing to re-establish them as quickly as possible. “Currently, we are flying to all regions of the country, and we are operating to Buenos Aires – Argentina, Lima – Peru, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo – Brazil, on international routes. In addition, in December we will start operations to Mendoza – Argentina, and Florianópolis – Brazil, in addition to Cancun – Mexico (via Lima), and in January to Bogotá – Colombia”.
JetSmart is betting on a similar strategy. JetSmart’s CEO, Estuardo Ortiz, commented that the carrier currently operates 15 destinations, 19 interregional routes and more than 30 domestic routes. Also, for a few weeks the Chilean airline linked to the Indigo Partners fund has resumed its international flights from Santiago de Chile to Bogotá and Cali in Colombia; to Lima, Arequipa and Trujillo in Peru; and to Buenos Aires in Argentina.
By mid-December, new ones will be launched from its base of operations in Antofagasta – Chile to Bogotá and Cali – Colombia, and the resumption of operations from Santiago de Chile to Foz de Iguazú and Salvador de Bahía in Brazil.
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.