โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
San Rafael Airport (LOB), identified by its ICAO code SCAN, is a public aviation facility serving the city of Los Andes in the Valparaรญso Region of Chile. Situated approximately five kilometers west-northwest of the city center, the airport primarily acts as a hub for general aviation, flight training, and regional aeroclub operations. The facility operates from a single, basic terminal structure that houses the administrative offices for the Club Aรฉreo Los Andes and specialized flight schools.
Infrastructure at the San Rafael terminal is minimalist and focused on providing functional support for private pilots and aviation students. As there are currently no regular scheduled commercial airline services operating at LOB, the terminal lacks standard metropolitan amenities such as retail shops, professional lounges, or diverse dining facilities. Instead, the facility provides essential administrative areas, briefing rooms for flight crews, and basic waiting spaces for private charter travelers. The airport is also a prominent base for the Latin American Aviation Training (LAAT) school, emphasizing its role as an educational center.
Ground transportation to and from the terminal is highly convenient due to its proximity to downtown Los Andes, with local taxis and private vehicles being the primary modes of access. The airfield features a single 750-meter asphalt runway (05/23) and is situated within a scenic mountain basin, requiring specialized pilot skills for navigation. For travelers seeking scheduled commercial airline connections in the region, Arturo Merino Benรญtez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago remains the primary gateway, located approximately 80 kilometers to the south. Travelers utilizing the LOB facility are advised to coordinate their arrival directly with the local aero club or flight school to ensure access to the terminal area.
๐ Connection Tips
San Rafael Airport (LOB) is a specialized regional aviation facility located in the Aconcagua Valley of central Chile, serving the city of Los Andes and the surrounding mountain communities. For those arriving at LOB via private aircraft, ground transportation should be pre-arranged. Los Andes is world-famous for its spectacular mountain scenery and its role as a primary gateway to the Portillo ski resort and the Cristo Redentor tunnel to Argentina; renting a car in Santiago or Los Andes is the most practical way to explore the region's diverse natural and historic wonders at your own pace. When planning a return trip to a major international carrier from Santiago, always allow for a generous buffer timeโideally 3 to 4 hoursโto account for potential road delays on the busy mountain highways.
While the airport primarily handles general aviation, flight training, and private charters, it is critical for travelers to understand that LOB currently lacks regularly scheduled commercial airline services. The airfield is located just 2 kilometers from the Los Andes city center. The terminal facilities at San Rafael are functional and professional, offering basic passenger amenities including a small waiting lounge and a pilot briefing room. LOB provide a professional and remarkably quiet arrival experience for private flyers seeking direct access to the heart of the Chilean Andes.
For commercial domestic or international connections to the Los Andes or Aconcagua regions, the primary gateway is Comodoro Arturo Merino Benรญtez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, located approximately 80 kilometers (a 90-minute drive) to the southwest via the CH-60 and Route 57. While local taxis can be arranged with prior notice, it is highly recommended to coordinate a pickup through your host or a local service, as on-demand options directly at the quiet terminal can be limited. The regional climate is Mediterranean and pleasant year-round, but mountain fog and strong winds can occasionally lead to flight delays for light aircraft.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chacalluta International Airport (ARI) is Chile's northernmost aviation gateway, serving the city of Arica and the surrounding Arica and Parinacota Region. Situated in the heart of the Atacama Desert, just a few kilometers from the Peruvian border, the airport is a critical piece of infrastructure for both national integration and cross-border commerce. The facility has recently undergone a massive US$85 million transformation, with a state-of-the-art passenger terminal officially commencing operations in late 2024.
The 2024 expansion more than doubled the terminal's size to over 12,000 square meters, significantly increasing its capacity to handle more than one million passengers annually. This modernization project introduced five new jet bridges, a new cargo terminal, and a sophisticated seven-story control tower. These upgrades are a centerpiece of Chile's 'Airport Plan 2025-2030,' designed to bolster regional connectivity and provide a world-class travel experience for those visiting the country's northern frontier.
A standout feature of the modernized airport is its commitment to environmental sustainability. Capitalizing on the region's intense year-round sunshine, the facility now includes an on-site solar power plant that provides a substantial portion of the airport's electricity. This initiative makes Chacalluta a leader in green aviation infrastructure in South America, demonstrating how major transport hubs can successfully integrate renewable energy in extreme desert environments.
Inside the new terminal, travelers have access to a wealth of modern amenities, including expanded boarding lounges with increased seating, high-end duty-free outlets, and diverse dining options. The airfield infrastructure was also enhanced with a runway extension to 2,800 meters, allowing the airport to accommodate larger and heavier aircraft. Passengers traveling south to the rest of Chile should be prepared for mandatory SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) and customs inspections, which are part of the strict protocols to maintain the region's unique sanitary status and manage the local tax-free zone.
๐ Connection Tips
Chacalluta International Airport (ARI) serves as Chile's strategic northernmost gateway, located just a few kilometers from the Peruvian border. Following a massive US$85 million expansion completed in late 2024, the airport features a state-of-the-art terminal that has doubled in size to accommodate over one million passengers annually. For travelers, 'connecting' at ARI often involves transitioning between a domestic flight from Santiago and a cross-border land transfer to Tacna, Peru. It is highly recommended to allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours for any connection involving an international border crossing, as the Chacalluta-Santa Rosa complex can experience significant queues.
Ground transportation is well-suited for these international links. While taxis and the affordable Line 103 public bus serve the city of Arica (18km away), specialized 'colectivos' (shared taxis) and private shuttle vans frequently wait outside the arrivals hall to transport passengers directly across the border to the Tacna international bus terminal. Travelers should carry their original passport and be prepared for exit formalities in Chile followed by entry inspection in Peru. Additionally, all passengers arriving at ARI must clear a mandatory Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) inspection.
Chile maintains extremely strict biosecurity laws; you must declare all organic materials and are strongly advised against carrying any fresh fruit, vegetables, or animal products, as these will be confiscated and can result in significant fines. Please ensure that all your onward travel arrangements, including ground transport to your final destination, are confirmed well in advance. Our research indicates that regional transit in this area is highly weather-dependent and requires travelers to remain flexible with their schedules. Always confirm your flight status 24 hours prior to departure, carry your essential medications and critical documents in your hand baggage, and maintain open lines of communication with your local hosts or transport providers. By treating this airport segment as the foundation of your regional travel plan rather than the conclusion of your flight, you will find that it is a highly reliable gateway, provided you account for the unique pace of local transport and the seasonal variability of the local environment, which can often be unpredictable due to sudden meteorological shifts or technical logistics.
The modernized terminal offers a streamlined experience with five new jet bridges and expanded lounges. The facility is pioneering sustainable aviation in the region, powered largely by an on-site solar plant that capitalizes on the intense Atacama sunshine. Always carry some cash in both Chilean Pesos (CLP) and Peruvian Soles (PEN) for transport fees, as card acceptance among cross-border drivers is limited.
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