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ZAL · medium airport

Pichoy Airport

Valdivia, Chile

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ZALmedium airport

Pichoy Airport

Valdivia, Chile
Explore Valdivia city guide Navigate to this airport
2
Routes out
2
Destinations
SCVD
ICAO
59 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Southern Chile's gateway to the Lakes and Rivers Region.

Location
Valdivia, Chile
Pichoy Airport (IATA: ZAL, ICAO: SCVD) serves Valdivia, capital of the Los Ríos Region in southern Chile, located approximately 15 kilometers north of the city center near the town of Pichoy. It is the primary commercial airport for the Valdivia metropolitan area and surrounding region, handling domestic passenger traffic connecting to major Chilean cities. The airport operates a single runway and supports a modest volume of commercial flights, primarily linking Valdivia with Santiago. It plays an important role in regional connectivity given Valdivia's geographic isolation amid rivers and forests in Chilean Patagonia. Infrastructure improvements have been undertaken over the years to accommodate growing passenger demand, supported by Chile's Airports Authority (DGAC), which manages and operates the facility.
Terminals
The airport operates a single, relatively compact passenger terminal handling both arrivals and departures for domestic traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport from Pichoy Airport to central Valdivia is available via taxi and shuttle services covering the roughly 15-kilometer journey.
Airlines here
LATAM Airlines and Sky Airline are the primary carriers operating routes between Valdivia and Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.
Notable facts
  • ›Located approximately 15 km north of Valdivia city center near the locality of Pichoy.
  • ›Operated and managed by Chile's Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC).
  • ›Serves the Los Ríos Region, one of Chile's newer administrative regions created in 2007.
  • ›Valdivia was heavily impacted by the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the most powerful ever recorded, which also affected regional infrastructure.
  • ›The airport primarily handles domestic routes, with Santiago being the dominant destination.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to Patagonian lakes, forests, and Chile's rainy south

Pichoy Airport, officially Aeródromo Pichoy, serves the city of Valdivia in Chile's Los Ríos Region, approximately 32 kilometres north of the city centre. It is a small regional airport with historical roots tied to the development of southern Chilean aviation. The airport provides essential air links for a region known for its rivers, German-influenced culture, and lush temperate rainforests.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single compact terminal handling all domestic arrivals and departures with basic passenger services.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi from airport rank to Valdivia city centre (approx. 30–40 minutes)
  • Private transfer services pre-booked through local agencies
  • Car rental counters available at the terminal
  • Intercity bus connections from Valdivia bus terminal to wider region
Nearby Hotels
  • Hotel Naguilan Valdivia
  • Dreams Valdivia Hotel & Casino
  • Hotel Villa del Rio
  • Hostal Río de Luna
Dining

Dining options inside the terminal are limited to a small café or snack bar offering basic Chilean fare and beverages. Visitors are advised to explore Valdivia's vibrant food scene, particularly along the riverside Costanera, which offers fresh seafood, local craft beers, and traditional German-style baked goods reflecting the city's heritage.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrive early as the terminal is small and check-in queues can form quickly during peak season.
  • Valdivia is one of Chile's rainiest cities — pack waterproof gear regardless of season.
  • Book taxis in advance if travelling during summer festivals, as demand significantly increases.
  • Currency exchange and ATM options inside the airport are very limited — carry Chilean pesos from Valdivia.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (2 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Sky Airline
H2
LAN Airlines
LA
LATAM Airlines
LA

Routes

ZAL → CCPH2 · 319
ZAL → SCLLA · 319

Aircraft operating here

Airbus A3192 routes
Hotels near ZAL

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Pichoy Airport
Encyclopaedia

Pichoy Airport is an airport 32 kilometres (20 mi) northeast of Valdivia, a city in the Los Ríos Region of Chile. The airport lies next to Pichoy River.

Read full article on Wikipedia