Late on Tuesday (March 2) the Chilean aviation authorities opened Santiago International Airport to a limited number of commercial flights.
p>Late on Tuesday (March 2) the Chilean aviation authorities opened Santiago International Airport to a limited number of commercial flights. TAM?s first flight out of Chile since Saturday?s earthquake left Santiago Airport for S?o Paulo, Brazil at 21.00 on Tuesday while at 01.00 on Wednesday a flight left S?o Paulo for the Chilean capital.
TAM is currently using an Airbus A330 on the route with a capacity for 223 passengers, 67 seats more than the A320 normally used on the route.
Once TAM Airlines is given permission it will be putting on extra flights and larger aircraft - including Boeing 777s and 767s and the Airbus 330 - to clear the backlog in the shortest possible period of time for passengers wanting to fly to-and-from Santiago and Brazil.
All passengers affected by the airport closure in Santiago and holding TAM Airlines? tickets (TAM 957 / PZ692) on flights JJ, PZ and JJ (code share routes operated by LAN), may change their tickets for alternative dates of travel up to March 30, 2010 without incurring any penalties for refunds or revalidation, subject to availability in the cabin of the original reservation.
In the UK passengers effected by the change in TAM?s flights and schedules to Santiago can get more information by calling 020 8897 0005.
