Santiago Airport, Chile: Size, Scale, And Significance

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport, is located in Pudahuel, 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of central Santiago, Chile. It is the country's largest aviation facility and busiest international airport. The airport has undergone several expansions and upgrades to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and improve overall services. The new T1-A building, inaugurated in 2024, added eight new boarding gates and enhanced the airport's capacity and amenities. Santiago Airport serves as a vital gateway for tourism and business, contributing significantly to the regional economy and facilitating international trade.

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

The airport functions as a joint civil-military facility and is the headquarters of the Chilean Air Force's 2nd Air Brigade and the home base of its 10th Aviation Group. Santiago International is the longest non-stop destination for most European carriers, including Iberia, Air France, and British Airways, from their hubs in Madrid–Barajas, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, and London–Heathrow. It is also Latin America's primary gateway to Oceania, with scheduled flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Easter Island.

The airport has continuously expanded and improved its facilities to meet the growing demands of aviation and global trade. In 2004, construction began on Runway 17R/35L, which opened in 2005 but soon required repairs. It finally reopened in 2007. In 2011, the airport received the Air Cargo Excellence Award as the best Latin American Cargo Airport. More recently, in 2024, the new T1-A building was inaugurated, adding eight new boarding gates and enhancing the capacity of the Domestic Terminal. The T1 modernisation project includes refurbishing various spaces, such as boarding and arrival zones, and expanding the capacity to 40 boarding gates.

Santiago International Airport

As Chile's most populated area and the country's capital, Santiago is an ideal location for the airport, which offers domestic and international services to destinations in Europe, Oceania, Africa (cargo-only), Asia, and the Americas. LATAM Airlines, the Chilean carrier, accounts for approximately 82% of the airport's total commercial operations. Santiago International is the longest non-stop destination for many European carriers, including Iberia, Air France, and British Airways.

The airport has continuously expanded and improved its facilities to meet the growing demands of the metropolitan area and the aviation industry. In 2024, the new T1-A building was inaugurated, adding 17,334 square metres of infrastructure, including eight new boarding gates, enhancing the capacity of the Domestic Terminal (T1). The T1 modernisation project includes plans for refurbishing boarding and arrival zones, expanding capacity to 40 boarding gates, and adding new stores and restaurants. Santiago International Airport is recognised for its efficiency, quality, and customer focus, receiving the Air Cargo Excellence Award in 2011 as the best Latin American Cargo Airport.

Nuevo Pudahuel Airport

Santiago International Airport functions as a joint civil-military facility and is the headquarters of the Chilean Air Force's 2nd Air Brigade and 10th Aviation Group. It offers domestic and international services to destinations across Europe, Oceania, Africa (cargo-only), Asia, and the Americas. The airport serves as Latin America's gateway to Oceania, with scheduled flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Easter Island.

The history of Nuevo Pudahuel Airport dates back to 1961 when construction began on the original terminal building, the eastern runway (17L/35R), control tower, and cargo facilities. It was initially named Aeropuerto Internacional de Pudahuel in 1967 due to its location in the municipality of Pudahuel. In 1980, it was renamed Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport to honour the founder of the Chilean Air Force and Chilean carrier LATAM Chile.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations. In 1994, a new international terminal covering 90,000 square meters was added, along with a new control tower, jetways, a duty-free zone, a hotel, and an expanded parking area. Following the 2010 Chile earthquake, which caused internal damage to the passenger terminal, the airport underwent repairs and upgrades. In 2024, the new T1-A building was inaugurated, adding eight new boarding gates and enhancing the capacity of the Domestic Terminal (T1).

Airport expansion and improvement plans

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport, is Chile's largest aviation facility and busiest international airport. It is located in Pudahuel, 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of central Santiago. The airport has experienced significant growth in passenger traffic over the years, driving the need for expansion and improvement plans.

In 2015, the Chilean government awarded a 20-year concession to Nuevo Pudahuel, a consortium of companies, to design, develop, manage and operate the airport's expansion. The expansion aims to increase the airport's annual passenger capacity and enhance its infrastructure.

A major component of the expansion plan includes the construction of a new international passenger terminal. This terminal will have a surface area of 175,000 m² across five floors, accommodating 30 million passengers annually by 2020. The terminal will feature a subway, a spacious arrivals hall, a VIP lounge, an exit area, and up to 37 aircraft parking stands. The existing mixed-use terminal will also be redesigned and reconstructed, adding more comfort spaces and immigration control counters for efficient passenger processing.

To improve parking facilities, two new parking buildings with three levels each will be constructed, increasing the parking capacity from 3,785 vehicles to 7,167. Additionally, road networks covering 550,000 m² will be built to improve ground access to the airport.

The expansion plan also involves the modernization of the Domestic Terminal (T1). The T1-A building, inaugurated in 2024, added 17,334 m² of infrastructure, including eight new boarding gates, enhancing the terminal's capacity and quality of service. The modernization project includes refurbishing boarding and arrival zones, improving baggage claim areas, and expanding the number of boarding gates.

Santiago International Airport's expansion and improvement plans aim to accommodate the growing number of passengers, enhance their experience, and reinforce its position as a key aviation hub in Latin America.

Airport facilities and amenities

Santiago International Airport, also known as Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, is located 10km from Santiago, Chile's capital. It is the country's largest aviation facility and busiest international airport. The airport is committed to continuous expansion and improvement to facilitate international trade and enhance Chile's connectivity to global markets.

Santiago Airport offers a wide range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers. The airport has two terminals – an international terminal with ten gates and a national/domestic terminal with seven gates. Both terminals are located within the same building and are easily accessible via passageways and elevators. The airport also operates a cargo terminal that can handle over 210,000 tons of cargo annually.

The airport provides a variety of dining options, including licensed bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and fast food outlets located in public and restricted areas. There are also retail stores and VIP lounges for passengers to enjoy. For those seeking assistance, improved signage and staff support are available to help with navigation and other queries. ATM and currency exchange facilities are conveniently located throughout the building.

Santiago Airport prioritises accessibility, with the new international departure lounge being fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. WiFi is available throughout the building, ensuring passengers can stay connected during their wait. The airport has also invested in a vast expansion project to double its capacity and enhance passenger comfort. This project included the construction of a new gate, expanded waiting rooms, and improved public transport options with the construction of a bus terminal.

The airport is also committed to sustainability and has initiatives in place to reduce its carbon footprint. It aims to reduce 40% of its CO2 emissions by 2030 and become a zero-net emission airport by 2050. As a recognition of its efforts, the airport received the Huella Chile award in 2020 from the Chilean Ministry of Environment.

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