Chile Powers Valdivia Tourism Growth as Pichoy Airport Upgrade Moves Toward 2027 Opening

Written By: Ananya Dey

Ananya Dey

I amAnanya Dey, a Journalism and Mass Communication postgraduate with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science (Honours). I am passionate about travel, writing, and research, with a strong interest in storytelling and content creation.

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September 9, 2026 22:55 GMT+5:30

Chile Powers Valdivia Tourism Growth as Pichoy Airport Upgrade Moves Toward 2027 Opening. The project now stands at more than 60% completion, with the terminal set to more than double in size. Chile powers new access and comfort as Valdivia tourism growth gains support from a larger Pichoy Airport. The upgrade moves toward a 2027 opening with new boarding bridges, baggage systems, parking and passenger facilities. This matters because the airport serves Los Ríos and supports both domestic and foreign visitors. Better infrastructure can improve travel, strengthen year-round tourism and give the region a more capable aviation gateway for travellers.

Pichoy Aerodrome Expansion Reaches More Than 60%

Chile’s Undersecretary of Public Works, Nicolás Balmaceda, inspected the works during an official visit to the Los Ríos region.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, the main structural construction has already been completed. Work is now focused on the interior of the terminal.

Current activities include partition construction, electrical installations and the development of mechanical and electromechanical networks and services. Exterior works are also progressing, including road connections, parking areas and perimeter fencing.

Authorities expect the expanded aerodrome facilities to be inaugurated during the first half of 2027.

Passenger Terminal Capacity Will More Than Double

One of the most significant changes is the expansion of the passenger building.

The existing terminal covers about 2,200 square metres. Once the project is completed, the terminal will grow to approximately 5,000 square metres.

That means the passenger facility will more than double in size.

The additional space is intended to provide better conditions for travellers using the main air terminal of Los Ríos. The larger terminal will also give the airport more room to handle passenger movements and improve the overall travel experience.

Undersecretary Balmaceda described the development as an important project for the region because of the large increase in terminal capacity.

CLP44 Billion Investment Supports Los Ríos Air Connectivity

The project represents an investment of 44 billion Chilean pesos.

It is being executed by the Airports Directorate and financed with sectoral funds from Chile’s Ministry of Public Works.

The investment covers both the physical expansion of the terminal and a range of supporting systems needed for passenger processing and airport operations.

The contract is being carried out by Belfi SA.

For Los Ríos, the investment is not only an airport construction project. Regional authorities have linked the development directly with tourism and the need to improve services for visitors arriving in the region.

New Boarding Bridges and Passenger Facilities Improve Travel

The modernised terminal will receive several important passenger-focused improvements.

Two new boarding bridges will be added. Pichoy currently has one boarding bridge, meaning the expansion will increase the total to three.

The project will also install new X-ray systems and baggage-claim facilities.

Travellers will also benefit from a cafeteria and air conditioning inside the terminal.

Other technical works include improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and construction of a new electrical substation.

Together, these additions are intended to provide a more modern and comfortable airport environment.

Airport Parking and Ground Access Are Also Expanding

Ground transport infrastructure forms another part of the project.

Parking capacity will increase from 111 spaces to 135 spaces.

Exterior works also include improvements to road connections around the airport and new perimeter fencing.

These upgrades are important because the passenger journey does not begin or end inside the terminal. Better road access and additional parking can support smoother movement for residents, tourists, airport workers and people collecting arriving passengers.

Tourism Authorities Expect More Domestic and Foreign Visitors

Los Ríos Governor Luis Cuvertino directly connected the airport expansion with the region’s tourism ambitions.

He described Los Ríos as a region with a strong tourism vocation and said it needed improved airport coverage and greater comfort for visitors.

Regional authorities want the improved terminal to help support a steady flow of both domestic and foreign visitors throughout the year.

Valdivia and the wider Los Ríos region therefore stand to benefit from better air infrastructure as officials seek to strengthen tourism access and visitor services.

Temporary Terminal Keeps Flights Operating During Construction

Airport services have continued while the main terminal is being expanded.

A temporary modular terminal covering 2,407 square metres began operating in July 2025.

According to the official project information, the temporary facility has allowed airport operations and passenger services to continue while construction work advances.

This means travellers can continue using Pichoy Aerodrome during the modernisation programme.

First Half of 2027 Becomes the Key Target

The project is now moving towards its final construction stages.

With more than 60% of the work completed, authorities expect the expanded Pichoy Aerodrome facilities to be ready for inauguration during the first half of 2027.

Once completed, the larger terminal, three boarding bridges, expanded parking, improved baggage facilities, new passenger amenities and upgraded technical systems will give Los Ríos a stronger aviation gateway.

For Valdivia tourism, the project is especially significant because officials expect the improved airport to provide greater comfort and support stronger domestic and international visitor flows throughout the year.

Chile Powers Valdivia Tourism Growth as Pichoy Airport Upgrade Moves Toward 2027 Opening because the project is creating a larger and more modern gateway for Los Ríos. The terminal will expand from about 2,200 to roughly 5,000 square metres, while two new boarding bridges, improved baggage facilities, more parking and passenger amenities will strengthen the travel experience. With construction above 60% and inauguration targeted for the first half of 2027, the airport upgrade can support easier access for domestic and foreign visitors. The result is stronger tourism infrastructure, better passenger comfort and greater potential for year-round travel to Valdivia overall.