Passenger air traffic in Chile reached 2.23 million in September 2026, 0.2% more than in September 2025. It is the first increase after more than a year of declines, and it was driven by domestic flights, which grew 1.6%, while international flights fell 1.6% for the seventh month in a row. The figures come from the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), which published them in its September statistical report, and were reported by Diario Financiero on October 19.
The JAC itself describes it as “a one-off sign of stabilisation”, not a change of trend. For tourism it matters: flying is the main way to make long trips within Chile and the way long-haul tourists arrive.
Air traffic in Chile in September 2026, in figures
| Segment | Passengers Sept. 2026 | Annual change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2.23 million | +0.2% | First increase after months of declines |
| Domestic | About 1.29 million* | +1.6% | Grows after 14 months down |
| International | 941,000 | -1.6% | Seventh consecutive month of declines |
| Routes with Santiago (domestic) | — | +3.3% | Drive the increase |
| Inter-regional routes | — | -8.4% | Not via Santiago |
Source: JAC, via Diario Financiero (October 19, 2026). *Domestic figure calculated by Viajando Chile as the difference between total and international traffic.
Air traffic in Chile so far in 2026
| Segment | Passengers January-September 2026 | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights | 11,660,572 | -2.8% |
| International flights | 9,216,451 | -0.7% |
| Total | 20,877,023 | -1.9% |
| September only | 2,230,294 | +0.2% |
Source: JAC, September 2026 report. September's rise does not reverse the year: in nine months, 1.9% fewer passengers flew than in 2025. In September, LATAM carried 66.5% of domestic passengers, SKY 20.2% and JetSMART 12.9%, according to the same report. The route-by-route detail is in our ranking of Chile's busiest air routes.
Which routes drove the domestic increase
The routes that contributed most to the increase were Santiago-La Serena, Santiago-Calama and Santiago-Copiapó. At the other end, Santiago-Valdivia fell 41.6% because LATAM cut frequencies, and routes between regions not via Santiago fell 8.4%, with Concepción-Calama and Concepción-Puerto Montt among the negative contributors, according to the JAC.
Santiago-Calama remains the country's busiest route so far this year. For tourism, these routes are the air gateways to San Pedro de Atacama (via Calama), the Elqui valley (via La Serena) and the Atacama desert in the Copiapó region.
Airlines: who gained and who lost passengers
| Airline | Domestic (change) | International (change) | Key fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| LATAM | +5.4% | -4.3% | Leads both markets |
| SKY Airline | +4.3% | -22.1% | Third internationally |
| JetSMART | -16.4% | +26.9% | Second internationally, with 10.6% of the market |
Source: JAC, via Diario Financiero. Changes for September 2026 compared with September 2025.
JetSMART's shift is the sharpest: it is losing passengers within Chile after reorganising its network while growing abroad. That strategy also shows in the new routes it is preparing via Buenos Aires, as we reported in JetSMART's Santiago-Rio and Florianópolis flights.
International air traffic: Brazil down, Argentina up
On international flights, the JAC recorded a broad decline on routes to Brazil, especially Florianópolis, and increases in the Argentina (+4.7%), Panama (+11.7%) and Colombia (+6.6%) markets. The drop with Brazil contrasts with arrivals of Brazilian tourists in Chile, which overtook Argentine arrivals in August, as we reported in tourist arrivals in August 2026.
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See advertising optionsWhat it means for travellers
- More choice on trunk routes: Santiago-La Serena, Calama and Copiapó account for the growth; there are more frequencies to compare on those routes.
- Fewer direct flights between regions: if your trip is, for example, Concepción-Calama, you are more likely to have to connect in Santiago.
- Valdivia: with fewer LATAM frequencies, book early or consider flying into Temuco or Osorno.
- New routes overview: openings for the 2026-2027 summer are in new air routes to Chile.
Frequently asked questions
How many passengers flew in Chile in September 2026?
2.23 million, 0.2% more than in September 2025, according to the JAC.
Which airline grew most on domestic flights?
LATAM, with 5.4% more domestic passengers, followed by SKY (+4.3%). JetSMART fell 16.4%.
Why are international flights falling?
The JAC recorded declines on routes to Brazil, especially Florianópolis, which the increases with Argentina, Panama and Colombia did not offset.
