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Australia's two busiest airports will have daily connections to South America over the southern hemisphere summer as Chilean carrier LATAM Airlines increases the frequency of its flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Santiago.
The increase from three to seven flights weekly to and from both cities will improve connections to LATAM’s key connection hub, providing one-stop routes to dozens of destinations across Chile and South America.
Both services will initially operate on a seasonal basis from December to March for the Melbourne route, and November to March for the Sydney route.
"Daily flights between Chile and Australia will carry around 150,000 passengers over the period, connecting both continents in a way that is fast and safe," LATAM Airlines Group's commercial strategy manager Maria Paz Villasante was quoted as saying in Media Banco.
" LATAM Airlines Group now connects Santiago with Melbourne directly, marking an historic precedent in aviation."
The announcement comes after Melbourne Airport welcomed a total of 904,605 international travellers in May, which is up more than 54,000 on the previous May record set in 2019.
Flights to foreign destinations are arriving and departing fuller, with passenger loads outpacing the 5.5 per cent growth in seat capacity.
Melbourne Airport chief executive officer Lorie Argus says the numbers highlight the need for the airport’s planned terminal expansion and third runway.
"We are working with our airlines to secure agreement on the much-needed expansion of the international terminal and Melbourne Airport’s third runway - which will give them the space and flexibility they need to continue growing," Argus says.
"Today’s announcement by LATAM is a further sign of confidence in Victoria and the increase in services will provide benefits to people on both sides of the Pacific.
"LATAM is South America’s largest carrier, and this will mark the first time that Melbourne has had a daily, nonstop connection to the continent, which is incredibly exciting.
"South America is an increasingly popular region for Victorian tourists and businesses but we’re also seeing growing interest in Victoria as a destination for education, trade or holiday."
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