Travel Updates
Puerto Natales Airport 2027: Flight Restrictions From January to March
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). On September 30, 2026, Chile’s civil aviation authority (DGAC) published the calendar for those works: the runway is open to commercial aviation on some days and completely closed on others.
Last updated: October 6, 2026
Quick answer
Puerto Natales Airport is not closed for the whole of January to March 2027, but the runway is completely closed on many days.
The calendar follows the notice published by Chile’s civil aviation authority (DGAC) on September 30, 2026. In January the runway is open from January 1 to 10 and then from Friday to Sunday; from January 11 it is closed from Monday to Thursday. In February and March the runway is closed on most weekdays and open at weekends.
This does not guarantee that your airline will operate on every available day. Check your exact flight before arranging accommodation, buses or the start of your Torres del Paine program. If no suitable Puerto Natales flight is available, Punta Arenas Airport is the main alternative.
Puerto Natales Airport operating days in 2027
January 2027
- Planned operation
- Open Jan 1 to 10, then Friday to Sunday
- Open days
- 19 of 31
February 2027
- Planned operation
- Weekends
- Open days
- 10 of 28
March 2027
- Planned operation
- Weekends
- Open days
- 9 of 31
Airport availability is not the same as a confirmed flight schedule. Check your exact date directly with the airline before booking connecting travel.
Day-by-day calendar: every date from January to March 2027
Runway and flights are two different things. The Runway column is about the runway itself: whether it is open or closed that day. The Flights column is our own estimate of scheduled commercial flights. An open runway does not mean your flight operates. In January the runway is open from January 1 to 10 and then from Friday to Sunday, and closed from Monday to Thursday from January 11. In February and March it is closed on most weekdays. Always confirm your exact flight with the airline.
January 2027 runway closed 12 of 31 days
| Date | Day | Runway | Flights (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Fri | Runway open | 12 |
| 2 Jan | Sat | Runway open | 16 |
| 3 Jan | Sun | Runway open | 21 |
| 4 Jan | Mon | Runway open | n/a |
| 5 Jan | Tue | Runway open | n/a |
| 6 Jan | Wed | Runway open | n/a |
| 7 Jan | Thu | Runway open | n/a |
| 8 Jan | Fri | Runway open | 16 |
| 9 Jan | Sat | Runway open | 12 |
| 10 Jan | Sun | Runway open | 11 |
| 11 Jan | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 12 Jan | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 13 Jan | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 14 Jan | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 15 Jan | Fri | Runway open | 17 |
| 16 Jan | Sat | Runway open | 16 |
| 17 Jan | Sun | Runway open | 12 |
| 18 Jan | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 19 Jan | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 20 Jan | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 21 Jan | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 22 Jan | Fri | Runway open | 12 |
| 23 Jan | Sat | Runway open | 20 |
| 24 Jan | Sun | Runway open | 10 |
| 25 Jan | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 26 Jan | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 27 Jan | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 28 Jan | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 29 Jan | Fri | Runway open | 14 |
| 30 Jan | Sat | Runway open | 17 |
| 31 Jan | Sun | Runway open | 14 |
February 2027 runway closed 18 of 28 days
| Date | Day | Runway | Flights (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 2 Feb | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 3 Feb | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 4 Feb | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 5 Feb | Fri | Runway open | 18 |
| 6 Feb | Sat | Runway open | 17 |
| 7 Feb | Sun | Runway open | 10 |
| 8 Feb | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 9 Feb | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 10 Feb | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 11 Feb | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 12 Feb | Fri | Runway open | 19 |
| 13 Feb | Sat | Runway open | 14 |
| 14 Feb | Sun | Runway open | 10 |
| 15 Feb | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 16 Feb | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 17 Feb | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 18 Feb | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 19 Feb | Fri | Runway closed | — |
| 20 Feb | Sat | Runway open | 19 |
| 21 Feb | Sun | Runway open | 10 |
| 22 Feb | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 23 Feb | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 24 Feb | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 25 Feb | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 26 Feb | Fri | Runway closed | — |
| 27 Feb | Sat | Runway open | 20 |
| 28 Feb | Sun | Runway open | 22 |
March 2027 runway closed 22 of 31 days
| Date | Day | Runway | Flights (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 2 Mar | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 3 Mar | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 4 Mar | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 5 Mar | Fri | Runway closed | — |
| 6 Mar | Sat | Runway open | 18 |
| 7 Mar | Sun | Runway open | 18 |
| 8 Mar | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 9 Mar | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 10 Mar | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 11 Mar | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 12 Mar | Fri | Runway closed | — |
| 13 Mar | Sat | Runway open | 16 |
| 14 Mar | Sun | Runway open | 12 |
| 15 Mar | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 16 Mar | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 17 Mar | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 18 Mar | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 19 Mar | Fri | Runway closed | — |
| 20 Mar | Sat | Runway open | 10 |
| 21 Mar | Sun | Runway open | 13 |
| 22 Mar | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 23 Mar | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 24 Mar | Wed | Runway closed | — |
| 25 Mar | Thu | Runway closed | — |
| 26 Mar | Fri | Runway open | 10 |
| 27 Mar | Sat | Runway open | 12 |
| 28 Mar | Sun | Runway open | 8 |
| 29 Mar | Mon | Runway closed | — |
| 30 Mar | Tue | Runway closed | — |
| 31 Mar | Wed | Runway closed | — |
What the calendar means. Open means the runway is open to commercial aviation on that day. Closed means it is completely closed for works. The notice does not say how many flights operate, or that every airline will fly on every open day, so confirm your exact flight with LATAM or Sky before you book. The Flights column is our own estimate of scheduled flights, not data from the DGAC notice; n/a means we have no estimate for that day. Source: notice of Chile’s civil aviation authority (DGAC), September 30, 2026, based on Order No. 165 of the Airports Directorate (DAP) in Magallanes, September 15, 2026.
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.
How the Punta Arenas bus connection works
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.
Published high-season schedules run throughout the day, with departures from around 7:00 AM until around 9:00 PM, depending on the operator. Travelers should always check the current bus schedule when booking, particularly when coordinating the bus with a flight.
Allow approximately three hours between Punta Arenas Airport and Puerto Natales, depending on the operator, traffic and road conditions.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Puerto Natales Airport closed in 2027?
Not for the whole period, but the runway is completely closed on many days between January and March 2027. According to the notice of Chile’s civil aviation authority (DGAC) of September 30, 2026, it is open to commercial aviation on some days and closed for runway works on others.
Can I fly to Puerto Natales in January 2027?
In January the runway is open on 19 of the 31 days: from January 1 to 10, and then from Friday to Sunday. From January 11 it is completely closed from Monday to Thursday.
Is Puerto Natales Airport open in February and March 2027?
In February and March the runway is closed on most weekdays and open at weekends: closed 18 of the 28 days in February, and 22 of the 31 days in March.
Does an open runway mean my flight will operate?
No. Runway availability does not guarantee that your airline will operate on every available day. Check your exact flight before arranging accommodation, buses or the start of your Torres del Paine program.
What if I cannot find a flight to Puerto Natales?
The best alternative is usually to fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ). The bus between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales stops directly at Punta Arenas Airport, so you do not need to travel into the city to make the connection. Allow approximately three hours between Punta Arenas Airport and Puerto Natales.
Travelling with DoPatagonia in early 2027?
The bus is not included in our programs. Book directly with the operator whose schedule matches your flight, and make sure your ticket specifically includes the Punta Arenas Airport stop.
Flying in. Buses leave Punta Arenas city and stop at the airport about 20 to 30 minutes later to pick up passengers, then continue north to Puerto Natales.
Flying out. Buses leave from the Puerto Natales bus terminal and reach Punta Arenas Airport after approximately three hours. You get off there, and the bus carries on into the city.
In high season, published departures run from around 7:00 AM until around 9:00 PM, depending on the operator.
One local thing worth knowing. In summer, the same road is sometimes used to move large flocks of sheep. The delay is not an everyday occurrence, but it is one reason we avoid tight connections on departure days.
Send us your confirmed flight number and arrival time before your trip dates are finalized. We will check whether the flight connects safely with the bus and the start of your program. If it does not, we can suggest a different arrival plan or quote a private transfer.
Official source: notice of Chile’s civil aviation authority (DGAC), September 30, 2026, based on Order No. 165 of the Airports Directorate (DAP) in Magallanes, September 15, 2026. Works plan: Chilean Ministry of Public Works (MOP), August 14, 2026. Airline notice: LATAM, September 10, 2026.