In Chile, VINCI Airports inaugurates the new domestic arrivals area at Santiago airport

The project, carried our by Nuevo Pudahuel -Santiago Airport’s concessionaire, which is part of VINCI Airports, Groupe ADP, and Gestione Concessioni- includes the transformation of different areas of the terminal, two new departure zones, as well as the construction of a new T1-A building, which will add more than 17,000 m2 of capacity, with eight additional boarding gates, as well as services and stores.

The inauguration of this new space was headed by the Minister of Public Works, Jessica López; the Viceminister of Tourism, Verónica Pardo; François-Regis Le Mière, General Manager of Nuevo Pudahuel, the concessionaire that operates Santiago Airport; and representatives of Nuevo Pudahuel’s shareholders including Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, Managing Director of VINCI Airports (France, Chile and Dominican Republic), as well as representatives of public services and companies that operate in the terminal.

“This facility is fundamental for our economy, since thousands of people, who travel to work or to visit touristic sites in Chile, travel through this terminal. After 11 months of work, we are inaugurating the new national arrivals area, which is within the framework of this final project that will benefit nearly 20 million passengers and considers a total investment of 60 million dollars," said the Minister of Public Works, Jessica López.

The new Domestic Arrivals Area doubles the number of baggage claim carousels from six to twelve; and offers a new official transportation area. It also includes new shop and services. In terms of comfort, the area considers more lighting and a renewed signage, the same that was installed in the new International Terminal (T2), inaugurated in 2022

“The arrivals area is the meeting point for our travelers coming from all over Chile, who represent 60% of all the airport passengers. Considering the significant increase in travel within the country, due to the rise of low-cost airlines, both this area and the building as a whole required not only an expansion, but also a modernization of its services. This work is aligned with the commitment of Nuevo Pudahuel and its shareholder groups to provide a high-standard infrastructure and the best passengers experience, with all the services, comfort and technologies they require,” said François-Regis Le Miere, Nuevo Pudahuel’s General Manager.

The modernization plan is carried out when the building turns 30 years since its inauguration in February 1994. It will not only incorporate more space and an update of shops and services, but also an aesthetic update, new flights information screens, bathrooms and other areas in order to reach the same infrastructure quality of the International Terminal.

The construction works have implied a significant challenge for all the stakeholders that relate to the terminal, since works must be done without interrupting the usual flow and experience of passengers.

Next steps

As the remodeling progress reaches 24%, the second and final stage of the refurbishing project began in order to inaugurate the facility by the second term of 2025. This second phase includes finishing the construction of the new T1-A building. This infrastructure, which has involved an investment of US$35 million, will be inspired by the central coast of Chile and its opening is estimated for the beginning of September 2024.

Once the entire remodeling process is completed, the Domestic Terminal (T1) will expand its surface to 130 square meters and boarding gates will increase from 22 to of 42. Thus, it will be able to serve nearly 20 million of annual passengers.

The project is the final part of the Master Plan that Nuevo Pudahuel has been executing since 2015, with an investment of more than US$ 1,000 million. It has already completed the new International Terminal (T2), four public buildings for Customs, SAG, Carabineros and PDI, two boulevards, more than 7,000 parking spaces, new cargo storage centers, two bus terminals and new spaces such as a theater and an events room.