MARCH 3, 2023

Government to tender projects worth US$625 million to improve airports

The tenders are for modernization and expansion projects at airports in the Antofagasta, Atacama, La Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos regions. 

Public Works Minister Juan Carlos García has announced that this year the ministry will tender projects worth a total US$625 million to improve airports throughout Chile. 

“To reactivate the country from the point of view of airport connectivity, we cannot only focus on Santiago Airport, because Chile is more than just Santiago. That is why this year we will open public-private tenders for an ambitious portfolio throughout the country, which will translate into better airports, expansions, and better services and standards in the airport network,” the minister explained. 

The tenders are for a set of projects to modernize and expand the existing airport infrastructure. Among the initiatives to be tendered by the General Directorate of Concessions is the improvement of the Northern Airport Network, which includes the Andrés Sabella Airport in Antofagasta and the Desierto de Atacama Airport serving the region around Copiapó, for a total investment of US$267 million. 

Along with these projects, the new concession for La Araucanía Regional Airport, located in the municipality of Freire, will also be tendered for an investment of US$85 million. 

“We cannot only focus on Santiago Airport, because Chile is more than just Santiago. That is why this year we will open public-private tenders for an ambitious portfolio throughout the country,” Juan Carlos García, Public Works Minister. 

In southern Chile, the improvement of the Southern Airport Network will be tendered. This tender includes El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt, Cañal Bajo Airport in Osorno, Mocopulli Airport in Chiloé and Pichoy Airport in Valdivia, for an investment of US$273 million. 

The Public Works Minister also highlighted that the Airports Department will have a total budget of $135 billion Chilean pesos (US$168,111,167), $12 billion pesos (US$14,943,215) more than in 2022. This investment will focus on improving small aerodromes to improve territorial connectivity in different parts of the country.