On April 16, 2026, the Gremio de Titulares de Transvip del Aeropuerto de Santiago announced a mobilization beginning at 5:00 p.m. In protest against sustained increases in fuel prices affecting their operations. The group cited rising operational costs as making their work increasingly unviable, with members reporting that filling a pickup truck with diesel now costs approximately 1.6 million Chilean pesos, up from around 1 million pesos previously.
According to Manuel Valdés, president of the Transvip association, the mobilization stems from what members describe as an unsustainable financial burden. Valdés stated that while passenger fares have increased, the company retains a larger share of revenue, leaving drivers to absorb fuel cost hikes without proportional compensation. He emphasized that many drivers rely on their income to cover worker salaries and the current cost structure threatens both business viability and labor stability in the sector.
The protest is scheduled to accept place in the ENEA zone near Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, though the group noted the action has not been authorized by the Presidential Delegation for access to the airport terminal. Valdés clarified that the mobilization aims to highlight the broader impact of fuel price increases on transport workers, particularly those serving airport logistics and passenger transport services.
Similar concerns have emerged across other transport sectors in Chile. In the Tarapacá region, over 800 truckers from nine associations agreed to initiate a possible road blockade in protest of diesel price increases, citing lack of government response to demands for a six-month fuel price freeze. Rafael Miranda, president of the Asociación Comando Defensa Puerto Iquique Unión de Caballeros, confirmed the mobilization would proceed regardless, stressing that weekly fuel hikes have made operations untenable.
Nationwide, fuel prices in Chile have risen consistently over recent months due to a combination of international oil market fluctuations, exchange rate pressures, and domestic taxation policies. According to data from Chile’s National Energy Commission (CNE), the average price of 93-octane gasoline exceeded 1,300 Chilean pesos per liter in early April 2026, while diesel surpassed 1,100 pesos per liter—levels not seen since mid-2022. These increases have directly impacted sectors reliant on road transport, including logistics, public transit, and airport-linked services.
The Transvip group emphasized that their action is not intended to disrupt public access to the airport but to draw attention to the economic strain faced by independent operators who lack pricing power or subsidies. Valdés called for dialogue with both transportation authorities and fuel distributors to explore mechanisms such as fuel subsidies, tax adjustments, or fare revisions that reflect actual operating costs.
As of the announcement, no official response had been issued by Chile’s Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications or the Presidential Delegation regarding the planned mobilization. The group stated they would continue to monitor developments and assess further actions based on official engagement.
For updates on official statements or potential negotiations, readers may refer to communications from Chile’s Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications official portal or the Presidential Delegation of the Metropolitan Region website.
Stay informed and share your perspective on how rising fuel costs are affecting transport workers and service reliability in your community.