Pluna launches new route from Santiago de Chile to Concepción

Benefiting from the open skies agreement between Uruguay and Chile, Pluna of Uruguay launched domestic Chilean services on 15 March. The new route involves the capital Santiago de Chile (SCL) and the coastal city of Concepción (CCP), and will be served six times a week with 90-seat CRJ900s. Competition on the route comes from Lan Chile and Sky Airline, which offer 60 and 18 weekly services respectively; both airlines employ narrowbody aircraft. Roberto de Oliveira Luiz, Pluna’s Manager Sales & Alliances, commented: “Professional approach by Chilean authorities with regard to safeguarding equal market conditions and impeding predatory practices has greatly influenced our decision to make use of cabotage rights we enjoy in the country.”