Aerocardal (Santiago) on October 26 halted regular scheduled passenger operations between Santiago and Vallenar in northern Chile. The last flights were CDA 202 and CDA 203 using the Dornier 328 CC-ACG.
Aerocardal blamed the fall of various mining, agricultural and industial investments in the Atacama region for the lack of passenger demand. At its height, aircraft occupancy was 85 percent but during 2013 the rate was only 31percent, making the operation unprofitable.
Aerocardal told local media that if economical and investment conditions get better flights to Vallenar will be restarted. The route commenced on August 16 2011 and initially operated twice a week (Mondays and Fridays). Later a third flight was added on Wednesdays.
Aerocardal will continue operations as a charter airline operating VIP and ambulance flights and also operating its new FBO in Santiago.
Report from Chile from Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com.
Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Aerocardal’s Dornier 328-100 CC-ACG (msn 3063) arrives back at the Santiago base.
Aerocardal: ![AG Slide Show]()
Filed under: Aerocardal Tagged: 3063, 328100, Aerocardal, CCACG, Dornier, Dornier 328, Dornier 328100, Santiago, SCL
