By Juan Pedro Sanchez Zamudio
LATAM Projects a Lower Operation in February
LATAM Airlines Group reported that its operational passenger estimate for February would reach up to 35% (measured in Available Seat Kilometers – ASK) compared to the same month of the last year. This statistic is lower in relation to last January, in which the operation was 39.8%, in a scenario dominated by the increase in government restrictions on air transport worldwide.
According to a press release published by LATAM Airlines Group, for this month, the Chilean carrier estimates that it will operate around 680 national and international daily flights, connecting 115 destinations in 16 countries. The use of the cargo fleet is expected to increase by 20% compared to 2020, considering more than 1,100 monthly flights.
All projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic, as well as to travel restrictions in the countries where LATAM operates.
During January 2021, traffic (measured in Rented Passenger Kilometers – RPK) was 32.8% in relation to the same period of the previous year. This considered a 39.8% passenger operation (measured in Available Seat Kilometers – ASK) compared to the same month last year, so the load factor decreased to 70.3%.
In cargo operations, the load factor was 60.4%, 10.1% over that registered in the same period of the previous year. LATAM Airlines Group expects a 20% increase in fleet utilization compared to last year, with 1,100 flights per month
| Country | Operation projected | Domestic Operations | International Operations |
| Brazil | 37% | 57% (84 routes – 360 daily flights) | 15% (11 routes) |
| Chile | 28% | 39% (18 routes – 95 daily flights) | 23% (13 routes) |
| Colombia | 58% | 79% (24 routes – 110 daily flights) | 36% (3 routes) |
| Peru | 26% | 32% (18 routes – 60 daily flights) | 24% (15 routes) |
| Ecuador | 26% | 49% (6 routes – 16 daily flights) | 18% (3 routes) |
Recently, LATAM Airlines Colombia inaugurated the new route between Bogotá and Pasto route; while LATAM Airlines Chile, operations were restarted between the cities of Santiago de Chile and Castro, Osorno and Puerto Natales.
According to DiarioFinanciero, in September, LATAM Chile will begin to make effective the refund of air taxes for a total amount of $4.8 million to 379,000 passengers, within the framework of the agreement signed with the National Consumer Service.
The process began last July, when LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, JetSmart, Aerolineas Argentinas, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Avianca and Iberia were offered to seek the return of the money paid for boarding fees. to passengers who did not complete their trips.
The estimate of compensation was divided into two groups: the first for customers who bought tickets between September 14, 2018, until March 18, 2020; and, the second for those who bought tickets between May 1, 2015, and September 13, 2018.
The agreement considered compensation for the cost of the claim equivalent to $7.6 to each consumer who claimed for problems associated with shipping rates before the publication of the proposal.
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.
