Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCEL)

Santiago, Chile · Latin America

By Renzo, CPL

ICAO

SCEL

IATA

SCL

City

Santiago

Country

Chile

Region

Latin America

Elevation

1,555 ft

Runways

2 runways

Coordinates

-33.3930, -70.7858

Overview

Chilean capital airport between the Andes and the coast. Mountain wave turbulence and LATAM hub.

Current Weather at SCEL

Pilots flying into or out of Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.

Decode METAR for SCEL

Paste the SCEL METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.

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Check Weather Before Your Flight

A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:

METARHourly surface observation for SCEL. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for SCEL. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Santiago. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport.

Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.

Pilot Resources at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport

Radio Frequencies

Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like SCEL include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.

Flight Schools Nearby

Browse flight schools near Santiago and compare training programs.

Private Pilot Guide

Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.

METAR Decoder

Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.

Sectional Chart Guide

Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Santiago.

Training Availability

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Flight Training Available

Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport has flight schools and training programs operating on the field or nearby. Browse flight schools

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