MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Significant outlays in Punta Arenas airport concession renewal

Next July 24 the Chilean Public Works ministry will announce the name of the company that will be awarded the concession of the Punta Arenas airport, in the extreme south of the country, said Juan Francisco Miranda the regional representative for the ministry.

The concession this time will also include the air terminal of Puerto Natales, currently an air strip operational only during daylight and which the Chilean government has promised to equip to regional standards. Since it's an open bid the current company running Chile's most important southern air terminal and springboard for Antarctica, Austral Concesiones S.A., could have its contract renewed. Nevertheless whoever wins must make significant investments in the airport including a new control tower; an emergency station and accesses; sewage plant plus accommodation improvements in the terminal. Punta Arenas airport was first built into an air terminal in 1954 and began operating in 1957. Last year passenger traffic was over half a million people, with an annual average growth of 6%. The current 103 months concession expires July next year. Among the remodeling demands are X ray equipment to monitor outgoing luggage and freight; a special counter for Chilean Air Force staff and two search rooms for passengers and luggage. The search rooms are international rules requisites and will enable specialized personnel to comply with the ruling, in private, with the alleged suspects or suspicious objects out of sight of other travelers. Similarly with travelers identification so that the normal traffic of passengers is not interrupted. There will also be a praying room common to all creeds. As to the airport infrastructure, conditions include new illumination for the aircrafts parking area and the resurfacing of side strips to the main landing lanes. Punta Arenas currently has three landing tracks: the main one is East-West has 3.200 meters long, 45 meters wide with additional margins of 7.5 meters. The second looks north and is 2.400 meters long, 45 wide and 7.5 margins. The third is directed north south, 1.677 meters long and 45 wide, no margins. Mr. Miranda said that the process was delayed because the Puerto Natales option was added following on a petition to Santiago authorities by the locals. "Once we checked that it was legally feasible it was decided to incorporate Puerto Natales to the Punta Arenas bidding process". However, the Chilean government must first upgrade the local airstrip in Puerto Natales, which is the gate to the world famous Torres del Paine Park, to regional standards.