When planning an exciting trip to South America with vibrant Santiago as your destination, you'll carefully arrange flights and hotels. But one crucial detail often overlooked is the airport code – the unique identifier that appears throughout your travel documents.
The Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport , Santiago's primary aviation hub, carries the IATA code SCL . This three-letter combination serves as the airport's universal identifier, appearing on boarding passes, luggage tags, and flight information displays. The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) uses a different designation: SCEL .
Commonly referred to as Pudahuel Airport or simply Santiago International Airport, this facility ranks among South America's busiest aviation centers. Located in the Pudahuel district approximately 15 kilometers northwest of downtown Santiago, the airport sits at an elevation of 474 meters (1,555 feet) above sea level.
As Chile's principal air gateway, the airport handles millions of passengers annually, connecting the country to destinations across the Americas and beyond. Its strategic location makes it a crucial hub for both domestic travel within Chile and international connections throughout the continent.
Travelers should note that verifying destination airport codes before departure significantly simplifies trip planning. These standardized identifiers streamline flight bookings, check-in procedures, and real-time flight tracking, helping avoid potential confusion during travel.