JetSmart restructures Chilean routes amid rising domestic travel demand

JetSmart has announced a strategic realignment of its domestic flight network in Chile. The airline will eliminate several regional direct routes, specifically those connecting Concepción with Iquique, Antofagasta, Calama, and La Serena. These flights will now require a connection in Santiago. However, the airline plans to increase frequencies on the Santiago-Concepción route from five to 14 weekly flights and will concentrate its aircraft and crew base in the capital.

CEO and founder Estuardo Ortiz stated that the company aims to use its fleet more efficiently, targeting a 20% national fleet growth and a net domestic growth of over 10% by 2027. The airline also projects a 62% increase in international operations by that year.

In a separate trend within the Chilean travel sector, data from Despegar indicates an 18% increase in travel searches for the 2026 Fiestas Patrias holidays compared to the previous year. Due to a shorter holiday calendar, travelers are opting for shorter trips of three to four nights. Domestic destination searches rose by 35%, with high interest in La Serena, Puerto Montt, Calama, and Concepción.