LAN Airlines has reported its preliminary monthly traffic statistics and punctuality indicators for April 2011 revealing a sharp increase in passenger traffic.

The news comes as Chile-based LAN prepares to merge with Brazil-based competitor TAN.

During April, system passenger traffic at LAN increased 28.0 per cent as capacity rose 18.9 per cent.

As a result, the company’s load factor for the month increased 5.5 points to 77.1 per cent.

International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 69 per cent of total passenger traffic.

Starting from January 2011, these figures include AIRES’ domestic and international operations.

Domestic passenger traffic in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia rose 25.5 per cent as capacity increased 24.3 per cent.

As a consequence, the domestic load factor for the month increased 0.7 points to 75.4 per cent.
International passenger traffic grew 29.2 per cent, while capacity increased 16.6 per cent.

New Planes

Chile’s dominant airline LAN also confirmed it had reached a deal to buy five Boeing 767 aircraft for USD$870 million, and has the option to buy four more.

LAN said in a statement it would take delivery of the five planes between December 2012 and August 2013, adding the purchases were part of its fleet renewal plans.