Source: Presidency of the Republic of Chile

  • The new state-of-the-art facilities, which consider an investment of US$ 1 billion, provide a new gateway to the world and almost triple the capacity of the existing one, from 13 million to 38 million passengers per year
  • “Chile is one of the most integrated countries to the world and, therefore, our nation requires that its air connections are up to that challenge”, said the Chilean Head of State upon inaugurating the gigantic terminal that puts the South American country at the forefront of world airport infrastructure
  • New facilities opened to passengers today

The President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, inaugurated Terminal 2 of the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago de Chile. It is a gigantic and state-of-the art facility, which will almost triple the number of passengers from 13 million to 38 million a year.

“The speed, comfort, and safety of the service to be provided here is the main commitment and motivation of our Government,” assured the Head of State in an inauguration ceremony accompanied by the Ministers of the Interior, Rodrigo Delgado; of Public Works, Alfredo Moreno; of Transport and Telecommunications, Gloria Hutt; and Economy, Lucas Palacios.

The project not only delivers a new building for international air transport, but also remodels the current terminal, which as of now will be used for domestic flights. In addition, it incorporates technologies that streamline airport processes; they improve the quality of service and update the infrastructure.

The new terminal has four jetties; 45 boarding gates, adding a total of 76; 96 self check-in kiosks; 56 departure and 66 arrival booths of the PDI (Chilean Immigration Police); 44 counters; 6,995 parking spaces; a station for 26 buses and two boulevards with an amphitheater for 250 people and an exhibition centre.

“Chile is one of the most integrated countries in the world and, therefore, requires that its air connections are up to that challenge,” Piñera added.

The new and main gateway to and from Chile from and to the world will allow meeting various needs, such as reducing waiting time and increasing the number of flights, in addition to support the country becoming a major tourist destination and financial hub.

The work considered an investment of US$ 1 billion and during construction employed more than 4,500 people.

Terminal 2 of Nuevo Pudahuel has an area of ​​110,000 square metres. Added to Terminal 1, they total more than 300,000 m2.

“It is these modernizations that will allow Chileans, together with their families, to have a fuller and happier life,” Piñera concluded.