Arturo Merino Benitez Airport
About SCL
Overview
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport is located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of central Santiago, in the Pudahuel commune, Metropolitan Region of Chile. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the main hub for domestic connectivity. The airport opened in 1967, replacing the older Los Cerrillos Airport, and has since grown into one of South America's busiest aviation centres.
Terminals & Runways
The airport operates two terminals: the international terminal handling overseas traffic and a domestic terminal serving routes within Chile. Two parallel runways oriented roughly east–west accommodate simultaneous operations, with the Andes mountain range forming a prominent backdrop to the east. The facility operates around the clock with no night curfew. A major terminal expansion project has been underway to increase overall capacity.
Airlines
LATAM Airlines Group is the dominant carrier, using Santiago as its primary hub for both domestic and long-haul international routes. Sky Airline and JetSMART operate as significant domestic and regional low-cost carriers. Numerous major international airlines connect Santiago to North America, Europe, and other South American capitals, reflecting the airport's role as a regional connecting point.