Chile Opts to Expand Arturo Merino Benítez Airport Instead of Building a New One
The Chilean government opted to expand Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez Airport instead of building a new one. The decision faces opposition in the Pudahuel commune due to expropriations.
The Chilean Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has designated the expansion of Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (AMB) as the best alternative to accommodate the country’s growing air traffic. This decision, which rules out the possibility of constructing a new airport in the Metropolitan Region, includes the construction of a third runway and a new passenger terminal, with execution projected for 2035, when the current concession contract with operator Nuevo Pudahuel expires.
A Long-Studied Project
According to Diario Financiero, the growing demand for air travel in Chile has fueled a long-running debate on the need to modernize airport infrastructure. Various studies have considered building a new airport in locations such as Isla de Maipo, Linderos, and Graneros. However, recent MOP analyses have determined that the most viable option—both in terms of social profitability and operational efficiency—is the expansion of the existing terminal.
The ministry states that AMB's operational capacity, currently limited to 40 operations per hour, can be optimized through new taxiways, additional aircraft parking areas, and technological improvements, allowing for up to 84 operations per hour. These upgrades would accommodate the projected increase in air traffic, which could exceed 30 million passengers annually before 2030 and reach 51 million by 2045.
Meetings and Planning Underway
As part of the development of the AMB Master Plan, the MOP’s Airport Directorate has held meetings with various stakeholders, including representatives from Inmobiliaria Las Lilas Pudahuel, the company behind the Urbanya urban development project near the airport. According to records from the Lobby Law, these discussions have addressed the overlap between airport expansion plans and ongoing urban projects, as well as potential expropriation areas for future infrastructure.
Although the project does not yet have a definitive timeline, the MOP has emphasized that modernizing AMB is a priority and that construction must be coordinated with the end of the current concession contract to avoid disruptions at the country’s main airport.
Community Impact: Resistance from Pudahuel
While the expansion of AMB aims to provide Chile with airport infrastructure that meets its growth needs, it has not been without controversy. The Municipality of Pudahuel has expressed concerns that the construction of the third runway could lead to the displacement of communities in the northwestern area of the airport.
The mayor of the municipality, Ítalo Bravo, has stated that the expansion could affect historic neighborhoods such as Peralito, Campo Alegre, Roque Pérez, and Soberanía Urbana, as well as healthcare facilities, schools, and sports spaces. “We agree that the country needs to improve its airport, but we do not want Pudahuel to once again bear the costs of this development,” Bravo said, adding that the municipality has asked the MOP to consider alternatives that minimize the impact on residents.
A Long-Term Challenge
The development of the AMB Master Plan will be a milestone in Chilean aviation, shaping the future of the country’s air connectivity. With the current infrastructure nearing its capacity limits, airport expansion is essential to maintaining the sector’s competitiveness and meeting the growing demand for passenger and cargo transport. However, implementing the project will require balancing airport development with urban sustainability— a challenge the government must address in the coming years.
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