The Chilean Airlines Association (Achila) has issued a strong call to attention regarding the growing congestion and long wait times affecting thousands of passengers at Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez Airport. According to the organization, the situation, described as a «crisis,» highlights the lack of effective measures to address the high demand of the season.
Carolina Simonetti, Achila’s general manager, emphasized that lines at immigration controls, both for entry and exit, are a recurring problem affecting not only passengers but also the country’s image as a tourist destination and air connectivity hub. «Authorities need to take an active role and coordinate immediate and long-term solutions,» she stated.
Although the Investigations Police (PDI) installed self-service kiosks as a measure to speed up immigration procedures, Achila argues that their impact has been limited. These devices, which can only be used by adult Chilean citizens, exclude a large portion of international travelers, perpetuating delays and congestion at the controls.
The situation is not new. Since November, Achila and other industry stakeholders have expressed their concerns to the General Directorate of Concessions of the Ministry of Public Works and other relevant entities, such as the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic. However, the association claims that responses have been insufficient and lack real impact on the passenger experience.
Achila stresses that the airport’s operational problems affect Chile’s competitiveness in the region and calls for joint action between authorities and the concessionaire to improve infrastructure and processes. «It is unacceptable that an airport of this magnitude does not have management aligned with current demand,» Simonetti concluded.
Meanwhile, thousands of passengers continue to face long waits during the peak season, highlighting the need for immediate solutions to overcome a crisis that undermines confidence in the country’s main air terminal.
