In October 2019, LATAM’s demand grew by 17.4% in the month. It accounted for 37.5% of the domestic Revenue Passenger Kilometer (RPK), representing a 13.1% change over the same period of 2018.
The company ended October 2019 with a 71.4% stake and a low of 10.6 in RPK.
Its third quarter financial results for the year revealed operating income of $ 268.9 million during the period, a 21.8% increase over July, August and September 2018. Operating margin was 10.1%, while net revenue totaled $ 86.3 million, or $ 51.1 million higher than last year’s third quarter.
Driven by 11.1% growth in passenger revenue, the airline’s total revenue increased 6.9% year-on-year. Revenue per Available Seat-Kilometer (RASK) grew by 9.1%, as did the number of people transported, which was 7.6% higher and represented 1.4 million more passengers in Brazilian domestic operations and affiliates of the Hispanic markets.
Total operating expenses for the third quarter increased 5.5%, while Cost per Available Seat-Kilometer (CASK) increased 3.6%. According to Latam, cost increases were driven by hyperinflation in Argentina and the reversal of performance bonus provision for the third quarter of 2018. Latam Group also reduced its operating margin target to approximately 7%.