Chilean President launches Phase 1 of Santiago Airport renovation and expansion project

Chile's President Sebastian Piñera and Public Works Minister Loreto Silva launched (25-Jun-2013) Phase 1 of Santiago International Airport's renovation and expansion project. The first phase will increase airport capacity from nine million passengers p/a to 16 million passengers p/a by 2015, and involves the construction of new international and domestic departures areas, modification of the international and domestic arrivals areas, the installation of a new baggage handling system and an increased police presence. Works will cost USD60 million and will be complete in one year. Mr Silva said, "This project will solve the short term needs that this terminal has due to higher air passenger traffic, which in the last year increased by 17%. With these Phase 1 works, we will be able to expand Santiago Airport infrastructure in crucial sectors to deliver an adequate service more efficiently." As previously reported by CAPA, the tender for the new concession which includes the construction of a new terminal is reported to be attracting interest from 26 parties, and is expected to be launched in 2H2013. The airport's overall expansion will boost capacity to 29 million passengers p/a by 2030. [more - original PR - Spanish]