Qantas launched flights between Sydney and the Chilean capital of Santiago today as it continues its strategy to target gateway cities.
The carrier will operate three Boeing 747 return services each week – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday – with the aircraft refurbished with A380 interiors. The inaugural service, QF27, departed Sydney at 11am for the 13 hour 10 minute flight.
“Santiago is one of South America’s most dynamic business centres and provides excellent connections to the rest of the continent,” group executive Qantas Airlines commercial Rob Gurney said. “There are strong ties between Australia and South America, with growing visitor numbers, mutual investment and an Australia-Chile free trade agreement in place.”
The services, which replace Qantas’ Buenos Aires flights, will build on links with LAN, a fellow Oneworld member. Those links are expected to deepen over time.
For now, LAN and Qantas will codeshare on each other’s services. LAN operates daily services via Auckland.
Gurney said: “Flying to Santiago is part of Qantas’ strategy to target global gateway cities. South America’s fast growing economies make it the perfect time to introduce this new, non-stop service to one of the region’s major hubs.
“It is also pleasing to be expanding our long standing relationship with Chile’s national carrier, LAN. Together we will offer 10 services per week between Sydney and Santiago and access to LAN’s extensive South American network.”
