LATAM Airlines Group S.A. reported preliminary monthly traffic statistics for December 2012. System passenger traffic increased 10.0% as capacity rose 7.4%. As a result, the company's load factor for the month increased 1.8 points to 78.2%.

International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 50% of the month's total passenger traffic. Domestic passenger traffic in LATAM Airlines Group's Spanish speaking operations rose 10.6%, as capacity increased 11.6%. As a consequence, the domestic passenger load factor decreased 0.7 points to 78.1%.

Domestic passenger traffic in Brazil rose 10.5%, as capacity decreased 3.7%. As a consequence, the domestic Brazil passenger load factor increased 10.5 points to 81.9%. International passenger traffic rose 9.6%, while capacity increased 15.0%.

Accordingly, the international passenger load factor for the month decreased 3.7 points to 75.7%. International traffic includes international operations of both LAN and TAM on regional and long haul routes. Cargo traffic for LATAM Airlines Group increased 3.1% as capacity increased 5.5%.

As a consequence, the cargo load factor decreased 1.4 points to 61.3%. The increase in traffic was driven by a stronger seasonal demand as compared to December 2011, which was partially offset by weaker imports into Latin America.