Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is Chile's busiest airport and the primary gateway to South America's southern cone. Located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of central Santiago, SCL serves as the hub for LATAM Airlines Chile and a critical entry point for travelers visiting one of South America's most economically developed countries.
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), commonly known as Pudahuel Airport, is located in Pudahuel, northwest of Santiago's city center. Named after Arturo Merino Benítez — the Chilean general who established the Chilean Air Force and founded LAN Airlines (the predecessor to LATAM) — the airport serves as Chile's dominant aviation hub.
SCL operates through an updated terminal complex, including a significantly modernized international terminal opened in 2020. The terminal expansion substantially increased the airport's capacity and improved its passenger experience.
Chile's elongated geography — stretching over 4,300 kilometers from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia — makes domestic air travel essential, and SCL serves as the central hub for this network alongside its international gateway role.
Santiago's airport has served the Chilean capital since the 1960s in its modern form. The airport underwent several expansions and a major modernization program in the 2010s, culminating in the opening of the new international terminal in 2020 — a project managed under a long-term airport concession held by Nuevo Pudahuel.
LAN Airlines' founding by Arturo Merino Benítez in the 1920s and its evolution into LATAM Airlines Group — now Latin America's largest airline — is intimately tied to the history of SCL, which has served as the home airport for Chilean aviation throughout.
SCL operates through an integrated terminal complex:
The international and domestic areas are within the same terminal complex. International-to-domestic connections require clearing customs and rechecking — allow at least 90 minutes.
LATAM Airlines Chile operates its primary hub at SCL, with an extensive domestic Chilean network connecting Santiago with cities from Iquique in the north to Punta Arenas in Patagonia, alongside international routes to North America, Europe, and across South America.
Other airlines at SCL include American Airlines, United Airlines, Air France, Iberia, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Copa Airlines, Gol, and a range of South American carriers. SCL connects Santiago with major cities across the Americas and to Europe.
SCL's modernized terminal offers improved passenger facilities including duty-free shopping with Chilean wines, pisco, and artisanal products prominently featured. Dining options include Chilean cuisine and international alternatives. LATAM's premium lounge serves business class passengers. Wi-Fi is available. Medical services and currency exchange are on site.
SCL is connected to central Santiago by several transport options:
SCL offers parking adjacent to the terminal with short-stay and long-stay options. Pre-booking is recommended during peak periods. Valet parking is available at the modernized terminal.
Santiago's traffic can be heavy during peak commuting hours — factor generous travel time when heading to the airport. The bus services to the Metro network are cost-effective and generally reliable.
Chile's long north-south geography means domestic connections from SCL can cover enormous distances — a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas is approximately 3 hours, connecting Chile's opposite geographic extremes.
Chile's wine regions (Maipo, Colchagua, Casablanca) are accessible from Santiago, making the airport the entry point for a growing wine tourism market.
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport is central to Chile's economy — one of South America's most stable and developed economies, with strong copper mining, agricultural exports, and a growing tourism sector. The airport supports business travel across Santiago's substantial financial and services economy, as well as tourism to Patagonia, Easter Island (accessible via special LATAM flights from SCL), and the Lake District.
With the 2020 terminal expansion now operational, SCL is focused on capacity optimization and operational efficiency. Future development phases and additional sustainability investments are planned under the Nuevo Pudahuel concession.
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is South America's southern cone's most important aviation hub, connecting Chile's elongated geography with itself and serving as the primary gateway for international visitors to the region. Its role is anchored by LATAM Chile's extensive network and Chile's position as one of South America's most economically sophisticated nations.
SCL's connectivity extends across the southern cone — its position makes it the natural hub for passengers connecting between the Americas and destinations in southern South America including Argentine Patagonia, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
Within Chile's airport system, SCL dominates international commercial aviation. There are no significant alternative commercial airports serving the Santiago metropolitan area.
In practical terms, SCL can be understood as:
There are no Airports within approximately 60 miles of Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport that may provide additional scheduled commercial or regional access.
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Bus services (Paravias Express, Centropuerto) connect SCL to Metro stations in approximately 30–40 minutes. Taxis and Uber take 30–45 minutes to central Santiago.
LATAM Airlines Chile is the primary carrier, operating an extensive domestic Chilean network and international routes across the Americas and to Europe.
Yes — LATAM Airlines operates regular flights from SCL to Mataveri International Airport (IPC) on Easter Island, approximately a 5-hour flight into the South Pacific.
Allow at least 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections, which involve clearing customs and rechecking luggage. Domestic-to-domestic connections within the same terminal are faster.