Puerto Natales airport, the closest air gateway to Torres del Paine, will undergo major runway maintenance between January and March 2027 and will only receive commercial flights on some days. Chile's Ministry of Public Works (MOP) confirmed the plan on August 14, 2026: Teniente Julio Gallardo airport will operate normally from January 1 to 10, Friday to Sunday for the rest of January, and on weekends in February and March.
On October 7, Chile's official tourism promotion site, Chile Travel, published the day-by-day calendar, citing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), and advised travellers who already hold tickets to check their flight with the airline.
Puerto Natales airport calendar for 2027
| Month | Days with commercial flights | Days without operations |
|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | 1 to 10 (normal); 15-17; 22-24; 29-31 | 11-14; 18-21; 25-28 |
| February 2027 | 5-7; 12-14; 20-21; 27-28 | 1-4; 8-11; 15-19; 22-26 |
| March 2027 | 6-7; 13-14; 20-21; 26-28 | 1-5; 8-12; 15-19; 22-25; 29-31 |
Source: Chile Travel with DGAC data, October 7, 2026. Airlines have not yet published all their schedules for those dates, so the calendar shows when there can be flights, not that there will be.
Why the Puerto Natales airport runway is being repaired
A report by the Airports Directorate, covered by Infraestructura Pública in August, rated the runway as "poor", with cracks and sinking. The local business group, Bloque Productivo de Última Esperanza, had proposed a full closure from mid-February through March to spare the January peak, but the MOP ruled it out: according to its analysis, the runway would not withstand December and January traffic without prior maintenance.
The ministry argues that the shift system allows more flights than a full closure: 593 air operations versus 498, based on summer 2026. The works cost CLP 7.213 billion and will run on "4 x 3 and 5 x 2" work shifts, according to Magallanes' regional public works secretary, Alejandro Marusic.
| Plan detail | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Works period | January to March 2027 | MOP, 8-14-2026 |
| Runway available January 1-10 | 1,600 to 2,000 metres (A320neo-type aircraft) | MOP |
| Runway available until February 2 | 1,200 metres (BAE/RJ aircraft of 85 to 100 passengers and general aviation) | MOP |
| Passenger and cargo flights kept | 67% in January, 41% in February and 32% in March | MOP |
| Investment | CLP 7.213 billion | MOP |
| DGAC staff | 24-hour shifts, seven days a week | MOP |
Does your hotel, transfer or tour in Puerto Natales want to reach travellers rearranging their Patagonia summer?
See advertising optionsHow to reach Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine without a flight
The main alternative is flying into Punta Arenas airport, which operates year-round with daily flights from Santiago, and continuing about three hours by paved road to Puerto Natales by intercity bus or rental car, according to Chile Travel. From Puerto Natales it is about 80 kilometres to the park entrance.
| Option | How it works | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Fly to Puerto Natales on an operating day | Choose dates within the DGAC calendar | Check the airline's schedule; it may change |
| Fly to Punta Arenas + bus | Intercity bus to Puerto Natales, about 3 hours | Book the bus early in summer |
| Fly to Punta Arenas + car | Paved road, about 3 hours | Lets you drive straight to the park |
| Overland from Argentina | Border crossings in Última Esperanza province | Check opening hours and requirements before setting off |
If you arrive via Punta Arenas, you can spend a day in the city: our guide to things to do in Punta Arenas covers the Strait of Magellan and the penguins. To plan your days in Natales, see things to do in Puerto Natales.
What it means for the Torres del Paine season
Torres del Paine received 337,224 visits in 2025, according to Conaf, making it the country's second most visited park, as our ranking of the most visited national parks shows. January to March is the heart of its season, and the O circuit is scheduled to reopen in November.
- If you already bought a ticket to Puerto Natales: ask the airline whether your flight falls on a non-operating day and what change options it offers.
- If you have not bought yet: compare flying to Punta Arenas; it adds about three hours of transfer, but the airport operates every day.
- Adjust park bookings: campsites and refuges on the W and O treks have fixed dates; work out your real arrival day in Natales.
- After 2027: the MOP plans to tender a new airport that year, with a 10,570 m² terminal and an investment of CLP 60 billion.
Frequently asked questions
When does Puerto Natales airport close?
It does not close completely: between January 11 and March 31, 2027 it will have non-operating days due to runway works. From January 1 to 10 it runs normally; after that, commercial flights Friday to Sunday in January and on weekends in February and March.
What is the alternative to reach Torres del Paine?
Fly to Punta Arenas and continue about three hours overland to Puerto Natales by bus or car. From there it is about 80 kilometres to the park entrance.
Why aren't the works done in winter?
The Airports Directorate explains that hot asphalt requires a dry surface, suitable wind, minimum temperatures and no rain or fog, conditions that are hard to find in the Magallanes winter.
