The Sacyr - Cointer consortium submitted a Total Concession Income (ITC) offer for the Northern Airport Network project, which includes the Second Concession of the Atacama Desert Airport in Caldera and the Third Concession of the Andrés Sabella Airport in Antofagasta.

Atacama Airport

The new works at Atacama Airport consider increasing the surface area of ​​the passenger terminal, which currently has 2,952 m2 and will add 15,322 m2, reaching 18,274 m2. The project also includes the addition of four boarding bridges. In addition, 161 new vehicle parking spaces will be added, increasing from the current 182 to 343 parking spaces, while the parking spaces for commercial aircraft will increase from 3 to 5. To facilitate passenger service, there will be 10 self-check-in totems (currently there are 2), 16 traditional check-in counters (currently there are 10), four AVSEC (airport security) posts, four PDI control posts, three baggage claim belts and a SAG/Customs control post for international flights.

Andres Sabella Airport

In the case of Andrés Sabella Airport in Antofagasta, the current surface area is 10,192 m2 and will be increased by 21,230 m2, totaling 31,422 m2, which implies a growth of around 208%. Meanwhile, 281 new vehicle parking spaces will be added, increasing from 572 to 853 parking spaces. Parking spaces for commercial aircraft will increase from 8 to 10. The airport will also have five new boarding bridges (totaling 9, currently there are four), 10 self-check-in totems (currently there are 7), 26 traditional counters (currently there are 25), five AVSEC checkpoints (currently there are 2), six PDI checkpoints (currently there are 2), one SAG/Customs checkpoint (currently there is none) and five baggage claim carousels (currently there are 2).

The project, which involves a total investment of USD 316 million, is expected to be awarded in Q4 of 2024, which would allow construction to begin in 2027 and operations to begin in 2030.