Chile Invests $316M to Modernize Desierto de Atacama and Andrés Sabella Airports Aviacionline
The concession project for the Red Aeroportuaria Norte, which includes the Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO) in Caldera/Copiapó and the Andrés Sabella Airport (ANF) in Antofagasta, has been officially awarded to the Sacyr-Cointer consortium. The initiative, published in the Official Gazette, involves an investment exceeding $316 million to expand and modernize both terminals.
The Minister of Public Works, Jessica López, emphasized that this project aims to “expand the surface area of both terminals, implement new boarding bridges, and provide more parking spaces, among other improvements. One of our goals as a ministry is to enhance the standard of facilities for the benefit of the people.”
The works are expected to begin in 2027, with an estimated operational start date in 2030. During the construction phase, around 450 direct jobs will be generated monthly.
Additionally, bids will soon be received for the second concession of La Araucanía Airport, and the 2024-2025 concessions portfolio includes the planned tender for the Southern Airport Network, covering El Tepual, Cañal Bajo, Mocopulli, and Pichoy airports.
Project details: Desierto de Atacama Airport
The Desierto de Atacama Airport recorded 723,000 passengers in 2023. Once completed, its passenger terminal will expand from 2,952 m² to 18,274 m², representing a 519% increase. The upgrades include:
– Four boarding bridges (currently there are none).
– Expansion of vehicle parking spaces from 182 to 343.
– Two new positions for commercial aircraft (totaling five).
– Installation of 10 self-check-in kiosks (currently there are 2) and 16 traditional check-in counters (currently there are 10).
– Increase in AVSEC control posts (4), immigration (PDI) posts (4), and SAG/Customs counters (1 for international flights).
– Three baggage claim belts.
According to the Chilean Civil Aviation Board (JAC), passenger traffic grew by 3.5% between January and September compared to the previous year, with 518,471 passengers. SKY Airline and LATAM are the only operators, offering 11 and 26 weekly flights to Santiago, respectively.
Project details: Antofagasta Airport
The Andrés Sabella Airport, the second busiest in Chile (2,315,000 passengers in 2023), will expand its surface area from 10,192 m² to 31,422 m², a 208% increase. Key improvements include:
– Five new boarding bridges, totaling 9 (currently there are 4).
– Increase in vehicle parking spaces from 572 to 853.
– Two new positions for commercial aircraft, reaching a total of 10.
– New AVSEC control posts (5), immigration (PDI) posts (6), and SAG/Customs counters (currently there are none).
– Expansion of baggage claim belts from 2 to 5.
Currently, it receives flights from three airlines: jetSMART, LATAM, and SKY Airline, connecting to three domestic destinations and two international ones. From January to September 2024, the airport handled 1,957,497 passengers, representing a 23% increase compared to the previous year, according to the JAC.
It is connected to:
- Santiago (SCL), JetSMART (18 weekly flights), LATAM (79), and SKY (21).
- Concepción (CCP), JetSMART (7) and LATAM (12).
- La Serena (LSC), JetSMART (7), LATAM (7), and SKY (5, increasing to 8 in January).
- Lima (LIM), LATAM with 3 weekly flights.
- Cali (CLO), JetSMART with 3 weekly flights, increasing to 5 during the summer season.
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