OCT. 20, 2020

Transport and Telecommunications Ministry outlines new protocol for entering the country and reports on progressive recovery of air travel

Travelers who can produce the results of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entering the country will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement.

The September Aeronautical Report presented by Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Gloria Hutt, and Secretary General of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Martín Mackenna, states that air travel has progressively recovered over the past few months.

According to the data, some 283,122 passengers traveled on domestic and international routes in September. This represents an 86.3% decrease compared to the same month last year, but a 51.2% increase over August of this year, with 95,912 more passengers.

Thus far this year, 7,574,412 passengers have traveled within Chile and internationally. Ninety percent of them traveled within the country, and 10% took international flights,” Minister Gloria Hutt explained.

According to the CAB Aeronautical Report, 251,271 passengers took domestic flights in September (-78.8% compared to the same month last year), and 31,851 took international flights (-96.4%).

The most popular domestic destinations in September were Antofagasta, Iquique, Calama, Puerto Montt and Concepción. The list of international destinations is led by Miami, Madrid, São Paulo, Lima and Tocumén in Panama.

Travelers who can produce the results of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entering the country will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement.

The September Aeronautical Report presented by Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Gloria Hutt, and Secretary General of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Martín Mackenna, states that air travel has progressively recovered over the past few months.

According to the data, some 283,122 passengers traveled on domestic and international routes in September. This represents an 86.3% decrease compared to the same month last year, but a 51.2% increase over August of this year, with 95,912 more passengers.

“Thus far this year, 7,574,412 passengers have traveled within Chile and internationally. Ninety percent of them traveled within the country, and 10% took international flights,” Minister Gloria Hutt explained.

According to the CAB Aeronautical Report, 251,271 passengers took domestic flights in September (-78.8% compared to the same month last year), and 31,851 took international flights (-96.4%).

The most popular domestic destinations in September were Antofagasta, Iquique, Calama, Puerto Montt and Concepción. The list of international destinations is led by Miami, Madrid, São Paulo, Lima and Tocumén in Panama.

In regard to cargo transport, 30,954 tons (2,724 tons originating from within Chile and 28,230 tons from abroad) were transported in September, which represents a decrease of 7.8% compared to the same month in 2019. 

International cargo saw a slight increase of 0.6% during September. Thus far this year, 254,908 tons of cargo of both national and international origin have been transported.

Change in protocols for accessing the country

Secretary General of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Martín Mackenna explained the changes made by the Health Ministry for Chileans and foreign nationals who enter the country by air, sea or land.

If they arrive with a negative PCR test conducted abroad and the sample was taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Chile, they may enter Chile without completing the 14-day quarantine.  If they have not taken the test, they must complete the quarantine procedure, which may be terminated once they receive a negative PCR result from a Chilean laboratory,” he explained.

Mackenna added that passengers must complete a sworn statement regarding their health status and submit contact information for Health Ministry monitoring of recent arrivals.

Furthermore, travel between regions without the interregional permit will be allowed this weekend in order to allow voters who are registered in regions other than their region of residence to vote. Travelers must present a physical or electronic copy of the result of the electoral data consultation, which lists the respective voting location.

The country’s borders continue to be closed to foreign tourism. As such, these rules only apply to individuals who are authorized to enter the country, that is, Chileans and foreign nationals who regularly reside in Chile. This opportunity was also offered to the foreign-born parents, children and spouses of Chileans and foreigners who regularly reside in Chile beginning last week.