LATAM Airlines’ revenue ton kilometres (RTK) has dipped to 344 million in August, from 346 million in July, which it is blaming on weak imports into Latin America, continuing the decline seen throughout 2014.

Year-to-date its RTK is down 3.5 per cent to 2.8 billion, down from 2.9 billion in 2013. Freight has declined 1.9 per cent in August, continuing a trend seen in every month of 2014 except January, when it increased 0.9 per cent. RTK dipped 0.8 per cent in February, before seeing larger declines in March and April of 6.6 per cent and 11.5 per cent, respectively. May saw a smaller drop of 0.7 per cent before a 5.1 per cent decline in June. July saw a small decline of 0.4 per cent.

Year-to-date, RTK is down 3.5 per cent to 2.8 billion. The load factor rose in August to 59 per cent, up from 57.4 per cent and 57.2 per cent in July and June, respectively. This is down from March, April and May when it was 61.8 per cent, 61.1 per cent and 60.5 per cent, respectively. The load factor was up on January and February when it was 55.7 per cent and 58.6 per cent, respectively. YTD it is 58.9 per cent, up 1.9 percentage points on 2013.

Available ton kilometres (ATK) declined 5.6 per cent in August to 582 million from 617 million in the same month of 2013. The capacity decrease has been put down to reduced freighter operations and decreased bellyhold availability.

It has declined in every month of 2014 but at a higher rate than RTK, which is why the load factor is up. It was down 4.8 per cent, 5.7 per cent, 9.2 per cent, 11.5 per cent, 4.4 per cent, 6.4 per cent and 5.3 per cent in January, February, March, April, May, June and July, respectively.