Authorities have inaugurated the new domestic arrivals area at Pudahuel airport. The work is part of the remodeling and expansion of Terminal 1 of Chile’s main airport, which will make it possible to better deal with increased flow during the summer holidays.
Public Works Minister Jessica López explained that the final modernization project will benefit nearly 20 million passengers. It includes a total US$60 million investment. The project consists of adapting the architecture of Terminal 1 for its new function as a fully domestic terminal, thus making it possible to meet and accommodate passenger demand.
The new domestic arrivals area involved an investment of $500 million Chilean pesos (US$574,317). It consisted of remodeling circulation spaces with new services, businesses and technologies. The expansion increased the amount of built space to 4,738 square meters, and added 12 working baggage carousels and 16 official transport stands.
Currently, 60% of the passengers served by Santiago Airport fly domestically. The work is therefore key to improving the experience of the majority of passengers who use air transport.
Furthermore, among the new features that will accompany this modernization project is the construction of a new building, T1-A. It will have 17,334 square meters, increasing the number of boarding gates from 22 to 42.
New domestic arrivals area
- The new domestic arrivals area now provides 4,738 m2, which doubles the surface of the old arrivals area.
- The hall extends between gates 3 and 6. It incorporates two official transport areas, one in the interior and one in the building’s public lobby.
- Construction on the new arrivals area began on January 9, 2023. It culminated in late November, meaning that work took a total of 11 months.