MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

More security in Santiago airport

A more rigorous checking of passengers and luggage, compulsory X rays for all luggage and hand pieces, plus a last generation scanner soon to be installed, are some of the current security measures in Santiago de Chile's airport, almost a year from the horrendous September 11th. terrorist attacks in the United States

All this has meant longer delays in the air terminal, increased number of security guards, (120), a dearer embarkation tax and greater investments in equipments by airlines, the Chilean Civil Aviation Authority and the Arturo Merino Benítez airport concessionaire.

Boarding passengers have grumbled about what is considered an excessive inspection of personal effects and retention of many of them such as penknives, lighters, nail clips o any instrument that potentially could be used as a weapon.

However, "passengers are getting used to the routine and international aviation officials have recognized Santiago airport as one of the few in the continent in Category I", said Carlos Alvarez, General Manager of the airport.

Mr. Alvarez also indicated there was an excellent coordination between different security organizations such as Civil Aviation authorities, Carabineros, Narcotics and Interpol Brigades, Customs, Agriculture Department, plus a rapid response anti terrorist from the Chilean Air Force specifically prepared for emergencies.

"Aesthetic" tourism

Aesthetic clinics and plastic surgery have become one of Argentina's latest attractions for foreigners taking advantage of lower costs and good professionals, according to reports in the Buenos Aires press.

"Since last June plastic surgery on foreigners has more than doubled, particularly from neighbouring countries Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, and even further from Mexico and the United States", according to Dr. Osvaldo Cudemo, president of the Argentine Plastic Surgery Society.

Although the materials are imported and in US dollars, Argentine doctors fees have dropped to a third, and for example "a mini-lifting costs 800 US dollars, a third of the fee in Chile".

Aesthetic clinics are publishing ads in Chilean newspapers and magazines, and Chilean tourist agents are now offering "express surgery" or "weekend touch up tours" packages to Argentina, which at the most demand visitors to remain for a week in Buenos Aires or Mendoza.

However not all doctors approve of the "express" idea. Dr. Manuel Sarrabayrouse points out that even minor plastic surgery is a controlled aggression of the body, "it's not like going to the hair dresser, you need a rapport between doctor and patient and this takes time". But this has not prevented other clinics in Santiago itself to organize tourism-liftup packages.

"Patients are checked and advised in Santiago by Argentine plastic surgeons, and then we organize weekly groups of seven people who travel to Mendoza or Buenos Aires", explains an Argentine cosmetics expert living in Santiago.

"In Mendoza patients have time to visit wineries, dams, practice rafting; in Buenos Aires shopping, going to theatre and different entertainments".