ChileTravel Torres del Paine travellers face weekend-only flights from Puerto Natales in early 2027
Teniente Julio Gallardo Airfield in Puerto Natales, the main air gateway to Torres del Paine, will handle commercial flights only on certain weekends between 1 January and 31 March 2027 due to conservation and infrastructure work.
Travellers heading to Chilean Patagonia in the 2027 summer season face a disrupted flight schedule at Puerto Natales. The Teniente Julio Gallardo Airfield, the closest airport to Torres del Paine National Park, will operate with scheduled closures between 1 January and 31 March 2027, Chile's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has announced.
Key facts
- Dates affected: 1 January to 31 March 2027.
- Airport: Teniente Julio Gallardo Airfield, Puerto Natales, the main air gateway to Torres del Paine.
- Reason: conservation and infrastructure improvement work at the terminal.
- Operating pattern: commercial flights mainly on weekends, from Friday to Sunday or Saturday to Sunday.
- Exception: 1 to 10 January, when the airfield operates normally.
- Alternative airport: Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas (PUQ), open year-round.
When is the airfield open and closed?
During the first quarter of 2027 the runway at Puerto Natales will handle commercial flights mainly at weekends. The only exception is 1 to 10 January, when it operates normally.
Operating days (airfield open):
- January: Friday 1 to Sunday 10; Friday 15 to Sunday 17; Friday 22 to Sunday 24; Friday 29 to Sunday 31.
- February: Friday 5 to Sunday 7; Friday 12 to Sunday 14; Saturday 20 and Sunday 21; Saturday 27 and Sunday 28.
- March: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7; Saturday 13 and Sunday 14; Saturday 20 and Sunday 21; Friday 26 to Sunday 28.
Non-operating days (airfield closed):
- January: Monday 11 to Thursday 14; Monday 18 to Thursday 21; Monday 25 to Thursday 28.
- February: Monday 1 to Thursday 4; Monday 8 to Thursday 11; Monday 15 to Friday 19; Monday 22 to Friday 26.
- March: Monday 1 to Friday 5; Monday 8 to Friday 12; Monday 15 to Friday 19; Monday 22 to Thursday 25; Monday 29 to Wednesday 31.
How else can I reach Torres del Paine?
Puerto Natales lies just 80 km from the entrance to Torres del Paine National Park, which makes its airfield the most direct option. With the summer restrictions in place, the widely used alternative is to fly into Punta Arenas instead.
Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas (PUQ) operates normally all year and receives daily flights from Santiago and other cities. From there, Puerto Natales can be reached by intercity bus or rental car on a paved journey of around 3 hours.
What this means for travellers
Anyone holding tickets to or from Puerto Natales on the affected dates is advised to contact the airline directly to confirm rescheduling or itinerary options via Punta Arenas. Travellers rerouting through Punta Arenas should book bus tickets or a rental vehicle early, since demand in the Magallanes region is high during the summer.
The DGAC has published the closure schedule, and further details of the conservation and infrastructure work at the terminal have not been given.