Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Coordinates: 33°23′34″S 70°47′08″W / 33.39278°S 70.78556°W / -33.39278; -70.78556
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
)
For the airport serving Santiago de Compostela, Spain, see Santiago–Rosalía de Castro Airport.
For the airport serving Santiago, Brazil, see Santiago Airport (Brazil).
For the airport serving Santiago, Cuba, see Antonio Maceo Airport.

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez
AMSL
1,555 ft / 474 m
Coordinates33°23′34″S 70°47′08″W / 33.39278°S 70.78556°W / -33.39278; -70.78556
Websitewww.nuevopudahuel.cl
Map
SCL is located in Chile
SCL
SCL
Location of airport in Chile
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
17R/35L 3,800 12,467 Asphalt
17L/35R 3,800 12,467 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Total passengers20,343,476
ILS category/runwayCAT II & IIIb / 17L[2]
Passenger statistics from Groupe ADP[3][4]
View of the tarmac

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Santiago, is Chile's largest aviation facility and busiest international airport
.

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport has domestic and international services to destinations in

LATAM and Sky Airline. LATAM Airlines accounts for approximately 82% of the airport's total commercial operations.[7]

The airport is owned by the Chilean government and has been operated since October 2015 by Nuevo Pudahuel, a consortium of companies formed by

ICAO category is 4F. The airport functions as a joint civil-military facility. It is the headquarters of the Chilean Air Force
2nd Air Brigade and where its 10th Aviation Group is based.

Santiago International is the longest non-stop destination for most European carriers including

Barajas Airport, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, and London–Heathrow Airport
.

The airport is also Latin America's main gateway to Oceania, with scheduled flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Easter Island.

History

Early years

The demands of the growing metropolitan area of Santiago and the need for modern, jet-era airport facilities, which could safely accommodate both domestic and intercontinental flights, drove the need to relocate the Chilean capital's principal airport from

IATA
: ULC) in the denser southwest metropolitan region of Santiago to the more rural northwest metropolitan area.

Construction of the original terminal building, the eastern runway (17L/35R), control tower, east apron and cargo facilities commenced in 1961. On February 2, 1967, the airport was commissioned Aeropuerto Internacional de

LATAM Chile
(Formerly Linea Aerea Nacional, LAN Chile).

1994 expansion

The facility was expanded in 1994 with a new international terminal that covered 90,000 square meters, inspired by the architecture of Marseille Provence Airport in France. The building is located between the two parallel runways. This expansion added a new control tower,

jetways
, a duty-free zone, hotel, and greater parking area. The old terminal was used for domestic flights until 2001, when all passenger operations were merged into the same building.

In 2000,

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport
in Australia). As of April 2014, 71% of international and 75% of domestic passengers were carried by Oneworld member airlines. During the 2010 Chile earthquake, the passenger terminal building suffered internal damages and the collapse of a pedestrian bridge between the vehicle ramp and the departures area. Nevertheless, both runways and control tower were unharmed, allowing the realization of a massive humanitarian air-bridge held by the Chilean Air Force to Concepción, Chile (Carriel Sur International Airport), close to the most damaged area by this earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The airport authority had closed off all commercial flight operations after around 1200 UTC on February 27, resuming full operations on March 3, 2010.[8][9]

In 2011,

IATA recognized the DGAC (Chile's provider of air navigation services) and SCL (Santiago Airport) with the Exceptional Recognition Award to the cooperative efforts of SCL and DGAC Chile that facilitated a quick recovery from the devastation that followed the Chilean earthquake on 27 February 2010. "Both airport and air navigation services were restored quickly with no impact on rates or charges for passengers or airlines. DGAC Chile and SCL are widely regarded as leaders in Latin America for efficiency, quality, and customer focus.[10]

Departure gates

In June 2011, Santiago International Airport received the Air Cargo Excellence Award, as the best Latin American Cargo Airport.[11]

Second runway

Construction on Runway 17R/35L began in 2004 and opened to traffic in September 2005. However, within months defects were discovered and the runway required repairing, completed in January 2006. Unfortunately further study of the problem discovered that the initial repairs were insufficient, needing additional work. Finally, 17R/35L reopened for traffic in March 2007.

2020 master plan and expansion

In 2008, the airport terminal reached its maximum design capacity of 9.5 million annual passengers, two years earlier than forecast, and with the repairs needed after the 2010 Chile earthquake, the Ministry of Public Works announced in 2012 that it would call for proposals for the expansion and administration of the airport, two years prior to the end of the contract with the current operator.[citation needed]

The ministry decided to investigate a new airport master plan instead of an expansion of the single passenger terminal building, as initially proposed by the current operator. The feasibility studies for this master plan cost 4,560 million Chilean pesos (US$9.4 million) considered in the 2011 fiscal budget.

For this new master plan, the Government hired the consultancy services of

Aéroports de Paris Ingeniérie (ADP-I), the architecture, engineering and technical branch of the French airport corporation.[12]

The master plan took into account a capacity growth to 14 million annual passengers by 2014, thirty-four million by year 2034 and 50 million passengers by 2045. New detached passenger terminal buildings for international and domestic flights, additional commercial areas and the construction of a light railway connecting the airport with the Santiago Metro network were considered.[13]

In June 2013, the Chilean Ministry of Public Works started Phase 1 of the airport expansion.[14]

On February 4, 2015, the consortium "Nuevo Pudahuel", formed by French companies

Aéroports de Paris (45%), Vinci Airports (40%) and Italian infrastructure company Astaldi (15%) won the bidding process to manage and develop the airport for 20 years since October 1, 2015. The main missions of the new administration will be "the renovation of existing installations with the redesign and extension of the current terminal; the funding, design and construction of a new 175,000-square-meter terminal which will increase the airport's capacity to 30 million passengers, with potential for expansion beyond 45 million; the operation and commercial development for the duration of the concession (20 years) of the main infrastructures: existing terminal and new terminals, car parks and future property developments. Building works will be executed by Astaldi (50% of conception-construction pool) and Vinci Construction Grands Projets (50%)".[15]

Facilities

Terminal 1 – domestic flights

View of the domestic terminal

The terminal building, originally built for both domestic and international operations until 2021, has four levels:

  • Ground floor: Arrivals, duty-free shop, baggage claim, transport services, parking areas, hotel access.
  • First floor: Administrative offices, VIP lounges (access through the second floor).
  • Second floor: Departures, check-in & baggage drop off hall, shops, restaurants, boarding gates.
  • Third floor: Restaurants and VIP check-in areas (
    LATAM
    ).

Terminal 1 hosts a bank office, Chilean Automobile Club, telecommunication companies (

Entel PCS), pharmacy, travel agencies, airlines offices, insurance offices and a police station (Carabineros de Chile
).

Terminal 2 – international flights

The new international terminal covers more than 200,000 square meters. It involved an investment of $900 million USD. Construction started in August 2016 and ended in March 2021, increasing the total airport capacity from 16 to 30 million passengers per year. The core of the new terminal consists of a central processor (T2M) where passengers undertake arrivals and departures procedures as well as four piers where the departure lounges are located.

Terminal 2 piers

Pier C

Pier C is a structure that has 10 boarding bridges, on a surface of more than 23,700 square metres of serviceable area, and 27,600 square metres of constructed area. It opened its doors in December 2018. Its internal design and green colour are inspired by Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The pier has more than 1,900 square metres dedicated to retail space, of which 250 square metres are allocated to Duty Free areas. The structure also has PRM assistance zones.

Pier D

Pier D features 10 loading bridges covering an area of over 22,000 square meters and opened its doors in July 2021. Passengers are able to reach Pier D directly from the "Main Unit" (T2M) and it is a place for both domestic and international flights. The building also features commercial and gastronomic premises, a playground, an area for art and culture and aid stations for passengers with reduced mobility. The space is inspired by the

Atacama region
, mirrored in its range of warm colors and panels inspired by the light, energy and strength of northern Chile.

Pier E

Pier E has 12 passenger boarding bridges on a surface of more than 26,700 square metres and opened during the second half of 2019. The pier has more than 1,600 square metres dedicated to retail space, of which 250 square metres are allocated to Duty Free areas. The structure will also have PRM assistance zones. It has been inspired by the region of Los Lagos (Lake District), and this is reflected in the structure's blue palette and decorative panels.

Pier F

Pier F has 10 loading bridges in an area of over 21,000 square meters and was opened in July 2021. Passengers reach pier F directly from the "Main Unit" (T2M) and it is entirely used for international flights. The building also features commercial and gastronomic premises, a playground, an art and culture area and aid stations for passengers with reduced mobility. The space is based on Patagonia, mirrored in its range of cold colors and panels inspired by the freshness, cleanliness and calm of southern Chile.

Airline lounges

In the international terminal, the operators are:

  • LATAM Airlines Lounge: Access for LATAM's Premium Business Class travellers, LATAM Pass or LATAM Fidelidade Platinum, Black and Black Signature frequent flyers.
  • Delta Air Lines Sky Club: Access for Delta Sky Club Members, Delta's passengers travelling in the Delta One cabin or on SkyTeam alliance Premium cabin and SkyTeam Elite Plus tier status members.
  • Avianca Sala VIP: Access for Avianca's International Business Class passengers, Lifemiles Elite Members (Silver, Gold & Diamond Levels), as well as Star Alliance Silver & Gold tier status frequent flyers.
  • Pacific Club (Priority Pass)

Hotels

  • Holiday Inn Hotels finished the construction of a five-floor building in July 2007, internally connected to both terminals (international and domestic). The hotel has 112 rooms, restaurants, bars, room-service, a conference hall for 170 people, gym, covered swimming pool, spa and wi-fi internet access.
  • Hotel Diego de Almagro is located 2 km outside the airport area.
  • The Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport Hotel is located 2.8 km from the Santiago International Airport within the ENEA, one of the largest business complexes in Santiago de Chile which hosts offices, industry and entertainment. The hotel has 144 rooms, a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, sauna, seven meeting spaces including a ballroom and business center.
  • The LQ Hotel Santiago Airport (La Quinta Inns & Suites) is under construction and will be the newest hotel near the airport and the first LQ Hotel in Chile. The hotel is located 2.8 km from Santiago International Airport. The hotel will have a restaurant, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, wifi, business center and meeting space.[16]

Maintenance facilities

American Airlines operates a widebody aircraft maintenance facility at the airport, opened in November 2018. The facility holds maintenance hangars, a classroom, offices, parts storage, and tarmac space for two Boeing 777s/787s.[17]

Military functions

The airport is the headquarters of the

AEW&C Condor and Boeing E-3 Sentry
.

The FIDAE, Latin America's most important air show, takes place in the 10th Aviation Group facilities.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Aerolíneas Argentinas Buenos Aires–Aeroparque, Mendoza
Aerolíneas Estelar Caracas
Aeroméxico Seasonal: Mexico City
Toronto–Pearson
Air France Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Dallas/Fort Worth
Arajet Santo Domingo–Las Américas
Avianca Bogotá, Medellín–JMC (begins 2 June 2024)[18]
British Airways London–Heathrow
Copa Airlines Panama City–Tocumen
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Madrid
JetSmart Argentina Buenos Aires–Aeroparque, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Mendoza
Trujillo, Valdivia
Seasonal: Curitiba (begins 19 June 2024),[19] Foz do Iguaçu, Puerto Natales
KLM Amsterdam, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza
LATAM Brasil
Brasília (resumes 1 June 2024),[20] Mendoza, São Paulo–Guarulhos
Temuco, Valdivia
Seasonal: Orlando (resumes 16 June 2024),[21] Sydney (resumes 27 October 2024),[22] Puerto Natales
LATAM Ecuador
Guayaquil
LATAM Paraguay
Asunción
LATAM Perú
Cusco, Lima
Level
Barcelona
Qantas Sydney
Porto Alegre, Puerto Natales, San Carlos de Bariloche
United Airlines Seasonal: Houston–Intercontinental
Baggage claim area at International Terminal
Departures area at International Terminal
Check-in counters at International Terminal
Check-in counters at International Terminal
Main corridor at International Terminal
Last waiting gates at International Terminal

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Atlas Air Campinas–Viracopos, Miami
Avianca Cargo Bogotá
Amsterdam, Bogotá, Luxembourg
China Cargo Airlines Los Angeles
DHL Aero Expreso Miami, Panama City
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo
Addis Ababa, Campinas–Viracopos, Lagos[25]
FedEx Express Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Memphis
Korean Air Cargo
Campinas–Viracopos, Seoul–Incheon
LATAM Cargo Chile Amsterdam, Brussels, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Campinas, Miami, Quito
Lufthansa Cargo Frankfurt
Martinair Aguadilla, Amsterdam, Bogotá, Guayaquil, Miami, Quito
UPS Airlines Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Campinas
Western Global Airlines Miami

Statistics

Annual passenger traffic at SCL airport. See Wikidata query.
Busiest international routes January–December (2023)[26]
Rank City Passengers % Change Airlines
1 Buenos Aires, Argentina (Ezeiza and Aeroparque) 1.517.686 Increase 54,8%
LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
2 Lima, Peru 1.408.452 Increase 31,7%
LATAM Perú, Sky Airline
3 São Paulo–Guarulhos, Brazil 1.107.154 Increase 84,4%
LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
4 Bogotá, Colombia 703.480 Increase 11,4%
LATAM, Sky Airline
5
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Brazil
 559.820 Increase 108,5%
LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
6 Panama City, Panama 547.738 Increase 5,3% Copa Airlines
7
Madrid, Spain
 471.950 Increase 16,5%
LATAM Chile
8 Miami, FL, US 457.912 Increase 6,0%
LATAM Chile
9 Mendoza 226.650 Increase 58,8%
LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
10 Paris–Charles de Gaulle 222.509 Increase 40,9% Air France
Busiest domestic routes January–December [2023][26]
Rank City Passengers % Change Airlines
1 Antofagasta 1.813.636 Increase 15,1% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
2 Calama 1.806.046 Increase 24,3% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
3 Iquique 1.501.439 Increase 8,6% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
4 Concepción 1.399.552 Increase 23,6% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
5 Puerto Montt 1.367.438 Increase 11,9% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
6 Temuco 1.016.763 Increase 16,3% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
7 La Serena 839.370 Increase 11,1% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
8
Copiapo
 685.617 Increase 7,9% LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
9 Punta Arenas 659.963 Increase 0,9% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
10 Arica 637.369 Increase 6,7% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
11 Valdivia 416.436 Increase 8,5% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
12 Balmaceda 328.291 Decrease -6,1% JetSmart.Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
13 Osorno 303.209 Increase 26,7% LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
14 Castro 151.277 Increase 8,2% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline
15 Easter Island 151.277 Increase 322,4% LATAM Chile
16 Puerto Natales 134.185 Increase 47,7% JetSmart Chile, LATAM Chile, Sky Airline

l

Ground transportation

Roads

Costanera Norte Expressway

Arturo Merino Benitez is about 17 kilometres (11 mi) by car from Santiago's city center. The airport is well served by the six-lane expressway Costanera Norte (Exit # 31), which crosses through the city from West to East bordering the Mapocho river, while it is also well connected to the West, North and North-East of Santiago by the Vespucio Norte Express Ring motorway (Exit # 18).

Taxi and shuttle services

There are two official airport taxi services: Taxi Oficial and Taxi Vip. TransVip shuttle services reach most of Santiago's hotels, business and residential districts.

Bus

Buses at the Departures Level

Centropuerto buses connect the airport with Los Héroes station of Santiago Metro. Their frequency is every 10 minutes during weekdays and 15 minutes during weekends. Turbus offers a similar service to its Alameda terminal. Both these services stop at the Pajaritos metro station/bus terminal on the way.

Two public line buses connect the airport to Santiago, Linea 555 to

Metro Santiago
on different stations.

Rental services

Car rental services are available from the airport.[27]

Accidents and incidents

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez
  2. ^ Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Santiago de Chile
  3. ^ Spanish: Aeropuerto Nuevo Pudahuel

References

  1. ^ "METAR/Synop Information for SCEL (85574) in Santiago, Chile". Gladstonefamily.net. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Trafic de l'année 2019". Groupe ADP - Service presse (in French). January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  4. ^ "Resumen estadístico transporte aéreo comercial en Chile" (PDF). jac.gob.cl (in Spanish). January 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  5. ^ Ministerio de Defensa Nacional de Chile (March 19, 1980). "Decreto ley 3245: Denomina Aeropuerto Arturo Merino Benítez al actual Aeropuerto de Pudahuel". Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  6. ^ Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil. DGAC (2013-07-15). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  7. ^ Aeropuerto Internacionale de Santiago de Chile – SCL Archived 2013-01-20 at the Wayback Machine. Aeropuertosantiago.cl. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  8. ^ "Reuters earthquake report". Reuters. February 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  9. ^ (in French) Business Travel, "Aéroport de Santiago au Chili: retour à la normale mercredi" Archived 2010-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, 2 March 2010 (accessed 3 March 2010)
  10. ^ Announces Eagle Awards Archived 2011-06-09 at the Wayback Machine. IATA. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  11. ^ Air Cargo Excellence / Home Archived 2011-05-18 at the Wayback Machine. Air Cargo World. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  12. ^ Portal de Registro y Autentificación El Mercurio Archived 2016-12-20 at the Wayback Machine. Diario.elmercurio.cl. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  13. ^ Portal de Registro y Autentificación El Mercurio Archived 2016-12-20 at the Wayback Machine. Diario.elmercurio.cl. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  14. ^ "Chilean President launches Phase 1 of Santiago Airport renovation and expansion project | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "VINCI : Aeroports de Paris, Vinci Airports and Astaldi presented the best offer for the Santiago de Chile International Airport concession". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ^ La Quinta Arrives In Chile With An LQ Hotel Near Santiago Airport
  17. ^ "Private Site".
  18. ^ "avianca Expands Medellin International Network From June 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "JetSMART será la primera aerolínea low cost en volar hacia Curitiba". Aviacionline (in Spanish). April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "Após SKY programar voos entre Brasília e Santiago, LATAM também anuncia volta das operações na rota". Aeroin (in Portuguese). February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  21. ^ "LATAM Chile Resumes Orlando Service in NS24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  22. ^ "LATAM Chile Resumes Santiago-Sydney Nonstop in Late Oct-24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Sky Airline Adds 2 New Brasilian Routes From June 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "Cargolux strengthens South American presence with new Santiago route". June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  25. ^ "Ethiopian Cargo adds Nanjing service from May 2018". Airline Route. June 25, 2018. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  26. ^ a b "Estadisticas Vuelo". www.jac-chile.cl. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  27. ^ "LetsGoChile > » Car Rental in Chile". Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

External links

Media related to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

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