SANTIAGO AIRPORT DELIVERS FINAL STAGE OF ITS DOMESTIC TERMINAL UPGRADE AND EXPANSION PROJECT
03/09/2025- Passengers will have a direct access to Gates B (East area), 38 new boarding gates, and a seamless connection to domestic Gates D in Terminal 2.
- The US$60-million investment increases the building’s capacity to welcome up to 20 million passengers. It features 104 check-in counters, 50 self-service kiosks, 12 baggage carousels, and 49 commercial areas for retail and restaurants.
Santiago, September 3rd, 2025. After two years of construction, Santiago Airport inaugurated the final phase of the Domestic Terminal (T1) expansion and refurbishment project today. The US$60-million investment significantly boosts the airport's capacity to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually—responding to the 56% increase in domestic passenger traffic since 2015, when Nuevo Pudahuel assumed the airport concession.
The number of boarding gates has grown from 22 to 38 (25 with jet bridges and 13 remote), and the number of baggage carousels has doubled to 12 to better handle peak travel hours. A new access was also activated, featuring six additional security lanes and direct access to Gates B, reducing walking distances.
Furthermore, a direct connection to Gates D (Terminal 2) enables operational flexibility, allowing those gates to be used for both domestic and international flights.
Minister of Interior, Alvaro Elizalde, along with the Minister of Public Works Jessica López; and Santiago Airport CEO Nicolas Claude led the ceremony.
In the event Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of Concessions at VINCI , Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, president of Nuevo Pudahuel Board and Managing Director of VINCI Airports; and Fernando Echegaray, CEO of ADP International, among other representatives were also present.
Public Works Minister Jessica López stated: “as Government, we are delivering on our commitment to open the domestic terminal to the public before the national holidays. This marks the completion of the renewal process of Arturo Merino Benítez Airport, which began with the inauguration of the new international terminal in 2022 and now continues with this remodeled domestic terminal built to the highest standards of airport infrastructure. These improvements will benefit many people—particularly those who travel for work every day to different regions of Chile, especially to the north—who all deserve better service that will enhance their quality of life".
The project is part of Santiago Airport Master Plan which considered an investment of USD $1,000 million and was carried out by Nuevo Pudahuel, a concession formed by major airport operators, Groupe ADP and VINCI Airports, along with Gestione Concessioni. It started with the building of the new International Terminal, inaugurated in 2022.
Santiago Airport CEO, Nicolas Claude, said: "This new terminal reinforces Santiago as a domestic flights hub for the future. We have doubled our operational capacity, modernized passenger’s experience, and incorporated international standards in both infrastructure and service. As we are turning 10 years in the concession, we demonstrate our commitment to making Santiago Airport a benchmark in Latin America".
The updated terminal also features 49 new commercial outlets, including 23 retail stores and 26 food and beverage locations. This year, the terminal’s five lounges will be renewed, through a tender which is currently in process, in order to further elevate the passenger experience.
Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, president of the Board of Nuevo Pudahuel and Managing Director of VINCI Airports, added: “with this work, the Domestic Terminal is consolidated as the largest connectivity platform in Chile, with a high-standard infrastructure, which will elevate passengers’ experience and will allow the airport to continue contributing to the growth of the country.”
The president of ADP International, Fernando Echegaray, said that the new areas that are incorporated will facilitate accessibility for passengers. “There will be two direct accesses to boarding gates A and B, in addition to more control machines, shops and services that, together, will contribute to increase the sense of hospitality with which the project was designed.”
The T1 remodeling was executed in two phases, upgrading 35,000 Sq m. of the original terminal building. The first stage introduced a new arrivals hall, and in September of last year, the T1-A building was brought online, adding 17,334 Sq m. and eight additional boarding gates.
CHILEAN NATIONAL HOLIDAYS TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS
The completion of this final phase was committed before Chile's national holidays. According to data from Santiago Airport, based on airline projections, over 353,000 passengers are expected to travel between Wednesday, September 17, and Sunday, September 21. Sunday is projected to be the busiest day, with more than 78,000 travelers—most expected to return to Santiago.
The top domestic destinations include Calama (27,199), Antofagasta (23,218), Puerto Montt (22,720), Iquique (17,146), and Concepción (16,677). Demand-led international destinations are Buenos Aires (25,368), Lima (23,121), São Paulo (22,741), Rio de Janeiro (14,974), and Bogotá (10,163).