Chile Advances New Concession for La Araucanía Airport with $138 Million Investment

The Government of Chile presented the progress of the bidding process for the new concession of La Araucanía Airport (SCQP) in Temuco. The initiative will represent an investment of around 138 million dollars to modernize and increase the terminal’s capacity.

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On December 20, 2024, the offer submitted by the group composed of Belfi and Icafal will be opened and reviewed before being awarded during the first quarter of 2025. The start of the works is expected to take place starting in 2027.

The Minister of Public Works, Jessica López, said that «we are in a process of modernization and expansion of almost all airports in the country, and La Araucanía airport is no exception. We have already received an offer for the new concession from a group composed of two airport operators, and we hope to move forward to develop this project with an investment close to 138 million dollars.»

The goal of the new concession, in one of the country’s main tourist destinations, is to develop a set of works and technologies that allow us to provide better service and security to all passengers and their companions,” she added.

✈️ More connectivity for the Region of #LaAraucanía! ? We received the offer for the second concession of the #Airport of #LaAraucanía, a key project that will modernize and expand its infrastructure.

? From 530,000 passengers boarded in 2023, it is projected to serve more than 3… pic.twitter.com/j2w8tWHauW

— Ministry of Public Works?? (@mop_chile) November 27, 2024

Details of the works

On the land side, the works at La Araucanía Airport will quadruple the covered area of the terminal, increasing it from 5,570 m² to 22,276 m². In addition, the parking capacity, which currently has 356 spaces, will be increased to a total of 508 available bays.

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According to the National State, the airport is expected to receive more than three million passengers annually by 2030, three times the current number.

On the airside, the commercial platform’s capacity is expected to accommodate six aircraft instead of the current four. The commercial platform will increase from 22,770 m² to 42,994 m².

The presidential delegate, Eduardo Abdala, stated that «a new airport is key, not only for connectivity and receiving tourists who visit our region, but also for boosting the economy, developing productive activities, and cargo transportation.»

Greater security and control

The new airport will feature seven automatic check-in systems, eight police control posts from the Police Investigations Department, four for immigration, and four for emigration, as well as three customs control posts from the SAG, and 6 automatic check-in modules.

The new concession also includes new aeronautical facilities for the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC). There will be a reorganization of vehicular and pedestrian circulation within the airport, new electrical installations and visual aids, and the wastewater treatment plant will be expanded.