Puerto Natales Airport Update 2027: What Travelers Need to Know
Last updated: September 2, 2026
If you are planning a trip to Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales between January and March 2027, there is an important airport update you should know before booking your flights.
In August 2026, Chile’s Ministry of Public Works confirmed major runway maintenance at Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport in Puerto Natales (PNT). The work will take place between January and March 2027.
The airport will not close completely, but commercial flight operations will be significantly reduced during this period.
Quick Answer
Puerto Natales Airport (PNT) is not closing completely in early 2027. Chile’s Ministry of Public Works has confirmed major runway maintenance from January through March 2027.
The current official plan keeps the airport open Friday through Sunday in January and on weekends in February and March.
Travelers whose flights do not match those operating periods should consider flying to Punta Arenas (PUQ) and continuing approximately three hours by road to Puerto Natales.
Is Puerto Natales Airport closing in 2027?
No. Puerto Natales Airport is not scheduled to close completely.
The Chilean government evaluated a full closure but decided instead to carry out the runway work using a partial rotating work system.
According to the official announcement, this allows commercial air connectivity to continue during the main summer season while the runway is being repaired.
This distinction is important. If you see information online saying that Puerto Natales Airport will be completely closed from January to March 2027, that is not what the current official MOP plan says.
Puerto Natales Airport operating days in 2027
The current government plan is:
Month January 2027
Planned airport operation
Friday through Sunday
Month February 2027
Planned airport operation Weekends
Month March 2027 Planned airport operation
Weekends
The MOP estimates that the temporary system will allow approximately:
67% of normal passenger and cargo flights in January
41% in February
32% in March
during the runway works.
These percentages are government estimates of possible operations, not a guarantee of a specific flight on a specific date.
Your actual options will still depend on the schedules published by the airlines.
What if I cannot find a flight to Puerto Natales?
If there is no suitable flight to Puerto Natales (PNT) on your travel date, the best alternative is usually to fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ).
The bus connection between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales stops directly at Punta Arenas Airport, so travelers do not need to travel into Punta Arenas city just to make the connection.
If you are traveling from Punta Arenas Airport to Puerto Natales, buses depart from Punta Arenas city, stop at the airport to pick up passengers, and then continue north to Puerto Natales.
The airport pickup is approximately 20 minutes after the scheduled departure time from Punta Arenas.
If you are traveling in the opposite direction, from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas Airport, you can board the bus at the Puerto Natales bus terminal and get off directly at Punta Arenas Airport before the bus continues into Punta Arenas city.
Current high-season schedules operate throughout the day, with departures beginning at around 7:00 AM and continuing until around 9:00 PM. Travelers should always check the current bus schedule when booking, particularly when coordinating the bus with a flight.
The journey between Punta Arenas Airport and Puerto Natales takes approximately three hours.
The important thing is to choose a flight that gives you enough time to make the bus connection comfortably.
For DoPatagonia travelers, we can help review the flight timing and arrange the bus connection to Puerto Natales. So if you cannot find a direct flight to PNT, there is no need to change your Torres del Paine trip.
In many cases, flying into Punta Arenas and continuing by road is the simplest solution.
Official source: Chilean Ministry of Public Works (MOP), August 14, 2026.