VINCI Airports celebrates Santiago Airport upgrade completion in Chile
Santiago airport, part of the VINCI Airports network since 10 years, inaugurated the on-time delivery final phase of the Domestic Terminal (T1) expansion and refurbishment project. The US$60-million investment significantly boosts the airport's capacity to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually - responding to the 56% increase in domestic passenger traffic since 2015, when VINCI Airports took over the management of Santiago airport. This is the final milestone in the concession contract VINCI Airports signed with the Chilean government in 2015 to position the country as a leading hub in Latin America.
This inauguration marks 10 years of VINCI Airports’ successful partnership with Chile, supporting Santiago airport’s growth and the country’s economic and tourism development. Since 2015, passenger traffic has grown from 17 million to over 26 million in 2024, with demand continuing to rise.
With over US$1 billion invested, impressive works (conducted notably by VINCI Construction Grands Projets with success) and an efficient partnership with Group ADP, the airport is now a world-class hub: new international terminal, modernized domestic one, doubled capacity (40 million pax), improved operational efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced passenger experience.
The today ceremony was led by Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde and Public Works Minister Jessica López. Also in attendance were Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, Chair of the Nuevo Pudahuel Board and Managing Director of VINCI Airports, along with Nicolas Claude, Santiago Airport CEO and other officials.
With the new domestic Terminal, the number of boarding gates has increased from 22 to 38 (25 equipped with jet bridges and 13 remote positions), and the number of baggage carousels has doubled to 12, improving capacity during peak travel hours. A new access has also been opened, featuring six additional security lanes and direct access to Gates B, reducing walking distances.
Another key improvement is the direct connection to Gates D (Terminal 2) further enhances operational flexibility, allowing these gates to serve both domestic and international flights.
The updated terminal also features 49 new commercial outlets, including 23 retail stores and 26 food and beverage locations. This year, the terminal’s five lounges will be renewed, through a tender which is currently in process, in order to further elevate the passenger experience.
The T1 remodeling was executed in two phases, upgrading 35,000 Sq m. of the original terminal building. The first stage introduced a new arrivals hall, and in September of last year, the T1-A building was brought online, adding 17,334 Sq m. and eight additional boarding gates.
Public Works Minister Jessica López stated: “as Government, we are delivering on our commitment to open the domestic terminal to the public before the national holidays. This marks the completion of the renewal process of Arturo Merino Benítez Airport, which began with the inauguration of the new international terminal in 2022 and now continues with this remodeled domestic terminal built to the highest standards of airport infrastructure. These improvements will benefit many people—particularly those who travel for work every day to different regions of Chile, especially to the north—who all deserve better service that will enhance their quality of life".
Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, said that this inauguration “marks major and final milestone in the concession contract we signed with the Chilean government in 2015 to renew and transform Santiago airport, which is now a world-class infrastructure, with a new international terminal, a completely refurbished domestic one, an augmented capacity to reach 38 million, an optimized operational efficiency, a minored environmental footprint, and enhanced passenger experience.”
Valérie Vesque-Jeancard, President of the Board of Nuevo Pudahuel and Managing Director of VINCI Airports, added: “with this work, the Domestic Terminal is consolidated as the largest connectivity platform within Chile, with a high-standard infrastructure, which will elevate the passenger experience and allow the airport to continue contributing to the growth of the country.”
VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of more than 70 airports located in 14 countries. VINCI Airports draws on its expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, leveraging its investment capability and know-how to optimise operational performance and modernise infrastructure while bringing about their environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy, setting itself the aim of reaching zero net emissions (scope 1 and 2) across the network by 2050 while supporting the territories’ local climate transition.
