LAN will add more flights to Cusco once airport adds nighttime lighting

LAN Peru will deploy new flights to Cusco once Velasco Astete International Airport adds lights to make night flights possible. The airline will extend its operation beyond 4:30 p.m., said general manager Jorge Vilches.

"Extending the time we could certainly create more flights and better connectivity with Cusco, consider that Cusco is the belly button of the ancient world, but now, after 4:30 p.m. it is inaccessible by plane," Vilches said.

LAN has a total of 17 daily flights to Cusco and accounts for 60 percent of the market share of passengers traveling to the city, reports Andina.

"We now have little room for expansion of our operations, but extending operation hours would be the best way we can, between all operators, bring more tourism to Cusco," Vilches said.

The remodeling work being done by the Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation (Corpac) includes the installation of lighting systems to receive night flights.

"We understand that there is a plan in this regard, but it will depend on what the authorities decide in Cusco and, if they want to extend the operating hours. I have understood that is why Corpac considered these renovations," he added.

He said that LAN is willing to support the arrival of more tourists to Cusco and as proof of this the airline is offering a promotional fare of $79, which will run until May 26, a value that is below the normal rate of $119.

"We continuously launch promotions and since last year we have had offers from $49 for the campaign Cusco Pone, and since then we have launched aggressive promotions to bring more Peruvians to Cusco," he said.

He also said that between 900,000 and a million passengers will be transported by LAN Peru this year and expects significant growth in the participation of Peruvian tourists.

"We are transporting about 1,200 Peruvian tourists per day to Cusco. That's the number we have estimated in LAN flights," said Vilches.

"Before Cusco was a unique destination for foreign tourists and it was an expensive destination, but we are increasingly looking to offer (flights) to bring Cusco and Machu Picchu closer to Peruvian tourists through low fares," he said.

Finally he added that LAN Peru hopes to implement more flights between Lima and the Caribbean in the second half of the year.