Chile Earthquake Update: LAN Airlines Increases Santiago Flight Operations to 54%

SANTIAGO, Chile, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- LAN Airlines reports that as of today, it has increased the capacity of its domestic and international flight operations to and from Santiago's international airport to 54% of normal flight operations.

"We are working with aviation authorities and the airport concessionaire to further increase this percentage and expect this positive trend to continue," said Pedro Margozzini, Director of Corporate Marketing for LAN Airlines.  "This should allow LAN to return to our normal flight operations schedule in Santiago within two weeks."

Passengers can find the most up-to-date information for both domestic and international flights on LAN.com.  The online pre-check-in/check-in option is now working, allowing passenger to pre-check-in from 2 – 48 hours before the departure of their flight.  In addition, those passengers traveling on domestic flights within Chile that don't have luggage can complete check-in online, print their boarding passes and proceed directly to the LAN boarding area.

"Although we are operating in a very restricted manner, we are very optimistic that things will return to normal shortly and allow us to fulfill our commitment to meet the air travel needs of our passengers," added Margozzini.

LAN operations including domestic flights in Peru, Argentina and Ecuador and international flights that do not depart or arrive in Santiago, Chile are operating normally as scheduled.

About LAN

LAN Airlines is one of the leading passenger and cargo airlines in Latin America. The company and its affiliates serve over 65 destinations around the world through an extensive network that offers full connectivity within Latin America, while also linking the region with North America, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as 63 additional international destinations through its various alliances. LAN Airlines and its affiliates have a leading position in their respective domestic markets of Chile and Peru, an important presence in the Argentinean domestic market, and recently began domestic operations in Ecuador.

Currently, LAN Airlines and its affiliates operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, with 85 passenger aircraft, and its cargo subsidiary, LAN CARGO and its respective cargo affiliates, have a fleet of 11 freighters. The company recently completed its short haul fleet renovation process by acquiring new aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, enabling LAN to improve its efficiency and to reduce significantly its CO2 emissions. The fleet renovation is part of the company's commitment to the protection of the environment.

LAN is one of the few Investment Grade airlines in the world (BBB). The company's world class quality standards enabled its membership in oneworld™, the global alliance that encompasses the best airlines in the world. For more information please visit LAN.com or www.oneworldalliance.com.

SOURCE LAN Airlines