The Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) has launched an action plan to accommodate the 260,000 passengers expected to fly during Easter Week. The Nuevo Pudahuel consortium has issued a series of recommendations to avoid delays and inconveniences at the airport terminal.
The modern airport in Santiago de Chile, ranking sixth in passenger traffic in Latin America during 2022, anticipates 50% more passengers than in 2023 during the Easter holidays.
A total of 262,782 passengers will pass through SCL, with 132,000 on international flights and 130,000 on domestic flights.
Key Measures of the Plan
- An express access to the baggage claim area of the National Terminal will be opened in advance from the west, a project that is part of the remodeling process.
- Two double doors (17 and 18) will be enabled to accommodate two large aircraft or four medium-sized ones, expanding the building’s capacity.
The Nuevo Pudahuel consortium will reinforce recommendations to passengers to travel well-informed and with sufficient time, between 2 and 3 hours before the flight, to complete airport processes and arrive at the gates well in advance.
The Minister of Public Works, Jessica López, stated: “It is very good news for our economy and tourism to see the recovery of airport activity, something that was evident in the summer with a 21% increase in total passengers compared to last year, and this trend will continue during Easter with more than 260,000 people traveling domestically and internationally.”
According to data provided by airlines, the 132,513 passengers traveling abroad have primarily chosen destinations such as Buenos Aires (21,645), Lima (18,006), São Paulo (14,001), Bogotá (9,122), and Rio de Janeiro (8,320).
For domestic flights, the preferred destinations of 130,215 passengers include Calama (16,793), Antofagasta (16,753), Puerto Montt (15,478), Concepción (14,081), and Iquique (11,564).
Manuel Valencia, Deputy Manager of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Nuevo Pudahuel, advised: “We recommend travelers arrive two to three hours before domestic flights and three to four hours before international flights to complete immigration and security processes with sufficient time.
Furthermore, it is important to check the documents required for traveling with children and, if traveling with pets, it is necessary to review the certifications required both in Chile and in the destination countries,” he added.
Passengers are advised to arrive with check-in completed; otherwise, 146 kiosks will be available for automatic check-in at both terminals. Additionally, 64 counters will be available for automatic baggage drop-off.
The Chief of Aeropuerto Arturo Merino Benítez at DGAC, Juan Luis Rodríguez, pointed out: “The DGAC website has published a list of prohibited items that cannot be carried in hand luggage, which will be checked at the AVSEC Control Points of the DGAC.”
