LAN Airlines has posted third-quarter net income of $106.2 million, which has almost doubled from $52.1 million in 2009. Chile's flagship carrier has seen healthy growth from both its passenger and cargo businesses.
Income from the airline’s passenger and cargo businesses grew 20% and 49%, with consolidated sales were up to $1.12 billion, from $883.9 million in 2009.
"The expansion of LAN's passenger operations during the third quarter was driven by the launch of various regional and long-haul routes [including] Lima to San Francisco, Santiago to Paris via Madrid, Lima to Brasilia and Guayaquil to Galapagos," the company said in a statement.
For the first nine months of the year, LAN's net profit rose to $255.1 million, from $121.3 million, with consolidated sales up to $3.13 billion, versus $2.48 billion.
LAN is in the process of merging with Brazilian carrier TAM, which should be finalized in the spring.