The Teniente Julio Gallardo airfield in Puerto Natales will undergo runway works next summer. Chile’s Airports Directorate, under the Ministry of Public Works, has published the full works calendar, with days of full runway operation, days of reduced runway and days of total closure.
The airfield does not close for three months. The calendar concentrates the works on weekdays and keeps weekends operational.
The essentials
- What: major resurfacing of the runway at Teniente Julio Gallardo airfield.
- When: from January 4 to March 31, 2027.
- January: open every day, with reduced runway length on weekdays.
- February and March: closed Monday to Thursday, full runway on weekends.
- Alternative: fly into Punta Arenas and transfer overland, around three hours.
What the works involve
The central section of the runway shows accelerated deterioration that compromises operational safety. The works include milling, laying a geogrid and asphalt resurfacing across the central 20 meters along the entire length of the runway, plus work on the taxiway. The stated goal is to extend the service life of the infrastructure.
January: the airfield operates every day
There are no closures in January. The runway operates every day, with weekday stretches where a shorter length is available and operations become visual.
| Dates | Runway status |
|---|---|
| January 1 to 3 | Full runway |
| January 4 to 7 | Threshold 28 displaced, 1,600 m, visual operations |
| January 8 to 10 | Full runway |
| January 11 to 14 | Threshold 28 displaced, 1,200 m, visual operations |
| January 15 to 17 | Full runway |
| January 18 and 19 | Threshold 28 displaced, 1,200 m, visual operations |
| January 20 and 21 | Threshold 10 displaced, 1,200 m, visual operations |
| January 22 to 24 | Full runway |
| January 25 to 28 | Threshold 10 displaced, 1,200 m, visual operations |
| January 29 to 31 | Full runway |
February and March: weekday closures
From February 3 the pattern changes. The airfield closes Monday to Thursday and opens on weekends with the full runway. During the first two weeks of February Friday also operates; from February 19 Fridays are closed, with the exception of March 26.
| Month | Days with full operation | Days closed |
|---|---|---|
| February | 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 | 3, 4, 8 to 11, 15 to 19, 22 to 26 |
| March | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 | 1 to 5, 8 to 12, 15 to 19, 22 to 25, 29 to 31 |
Closures and openings run from 00:00 to 23:59 on the corresponding day. The notice states that each operator must coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority and with the airfield administration, which means conditions may be adjusted as the works progress.
How to reach Puerto Natales during the works
The main alternative is to fly into Punta Arenas, to Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport, which operates normally and concentrates most of the region’s air connectivity. From there, the overland transfer to Puerto Natales along Route 9 takes around three hours.
That stretch can be put to use. A private transfer with a guide allows for a stop at Seno Otway or Puerto Hambre depending on the season and the traveler’s interests. For tighter itineraries, the direct transfer remains the simplest and most predictable option.
The other variable is the direction of travel. Itineraries that enter through Punta Arenas and exit via El Calafate, or the other way around, absorb this kind of disruption better than programs that depend on a return flight to the same airport.
What to review in your bookings
Three checkpoints
- The dates of each air segment against the operating calendar. January itineraries tend to be fine; February and March need review.
- The change conditions on tickets already issued, because a works calendar can shift.
- The slack in the itinerary to absorb an overland transfer from Punta Arenas without losing services confirmed for the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Does Puerto Natales airport close for the whole summer?
No. It operates every day in January. Closures begin on February 3 and affect weekdays only: on weekends the airfield operates with the full runway through March 28.
What do I do if my flight falls on a closure day?
Two options: move the flight to the nearest weekend, or fly into Punta Arenas and add the overland transfer of around three hours. The right call depends on how much slack that day has in the itinerary.
Does this affect excursions to Torres del Paine?
Not directly. The works are on the air access, not on the park or the overland routes. Services at destination continue to operate normally.
What do displaced threshold and visual operations mean?
A displaced threshold means the touchdown point is moved and a shorter runway length is available than usual. Visual operations means landing depends on visibility conditions, without instrument support. Both make operations more sensitive to weather.
Can the calendar change?
Yes. The notice instructs operators to coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority, which leaves room for adjustments depending on how the works progress.
Do you have travelers confirmed on those dates?
We are reviewing every booking that touches Puerto Natales between January and March 2027 and proposing adjustments where needed. Write to us and we will go through it case by case.
