Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (Santiago Airport) has celebrated the on-time delivery and completion of the final phase of its new Domestic Terminal (T1) expansion and refurbishment project.
The new 60 million USD investment seeks to boost the airport’s capacity to accommodate up to 20 million passengers per year.
The expansion is a response to a 56% increase in domestic passenger traffic since 2015, when VINCI Airports took over management of the airport.
With the inauguration of the expanded terminal; the airport has officially seen improvements valued at over 1 billion USD into a new international terminal, the doubling of capacity, improved operational efficiency and enhanced passenger experience.
The ceremony was led by Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde and Public Works Minister Jessica López, with Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, Chair of the Nuevo Pudahuel Board and Managing Director of VINCI Airports, along with Nicolas Claude, Santiago Airport CEO and other officials also in attendance.
The new domestic terminal has increased the number of boarding gates from 22 to 38 (25 equipped with jet bridges and 13 remote positions) and increased the number of baggage carousels to 12. A new access point has also been opened with six additional security lanes and direct access to Gates B.
Other key improvements include a direct connection to Gates D (Terminal 2), as well as 49 new commercial outlets including 23 retail stores and 26 food and beverage locations.
The terminal’s five lounges are also set to be renewed this year as part of a tender which is currently in process.
The remodelling of T1 was carried out across two phases, with the first including the implementation of a new arrivals hall and the second seeing the bringing online of the T1-A building.
Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, President of the Board of Nuevo Pudahuel and Managing Director of VINCI Airports, said:With this work, the Domestic Terminal is consolidated as the largest connectivity platform within Chile, with a high-standard infrastructure, which will elevate the passenger experience and allow the airport to continue contributing to the growth of the country.
