A year after purchasing Colombia’s Aires airline, Chilean flagship carrier LAN Airlines SA launched its namesake brand in that South American nation.
LAN has domestic operations in Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and since the Aires purchase in late 2010 in Colombia, and is in the process of merging with Brazil’s TAM SA.
LAN Colombia, as the airline will be called, will include 22 domestic routes and one international route between Bogota and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and account for 23% of domestic market share.
“We’re proud that the network of LAN Airlines and its affiliates is increasing by 22 new destinations in Colombia, and expanding its connections in South America and the rest of the world,” said the carrier’s chief operating officer Ignacio Cueto.
Since acquiring Aires, LAN has invested $405 million in Colombia on rebranding, fleet upgrades and expansion, including the incorporation of three new Airbus A320 aircraft.