Quick answer: Puerto Natales Airport (PNT) will have reduced flights from January to March 2027 due to runway maintenance, operating only Friday–Sunday in January and weekends in February and March. Many travelers will need to fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ) and continue by bus instead. If your trip involves this extra leg, renting your trekking and camping gear locally in Puerto Natales, instead of flying with it, is the simplest way to avoid excess baggage, tight connections, and lost or delayed luggage.
Puerto Natales Airport 2027: The Update
If you’re planning a trip to Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales between January and March 2027, there’s an important airport update to know before you pack.
Chile’s Ministry of Public Works confirmed major runway maintenance at Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) during this period. The airport won’t close completely, but commercial flights will be significantly reduced, operating Friday through Sunday in January, and weekends only in February and March.
What This Means for Your Trip
The Ministry estimates roughly 67% of normal flights in January, 41% in February, and 32% in March. That means many travelers won’t find a direct flight to Puerto Natales on their exact dates and will instead fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ) and continue about three hours by road.
That extra leg is manageable. But it also means more handling of your luggage: an extra bus transfer, tighter connection windows, and less certainty about checked-bag limits on rebooked or smaller flights.
Why This Is a Good Reason to Rent Your Gear Locally
This is exactly the kind of situation where renting gear in Puerto Natales instead of flying with it makes the trip simpler.
If you’re connecting through Punta Arenas by bus, every extra kilo you’re not carrying is one less thing to worry about during the transfer. You don’t need to track a checked bag with your tent and sleeping bag through an additional leg, and you don’t need to build in extra buffer time in case a rebooked flight has a stricter baggage allowance.
Renting locally also means your gear is ready and waiting in Puerto Natales the moment you arrive, no risk of it being delayed on a different flight than you.
You don’t need to rent a full kit. Many travelers just rent the bulky items tent, sleeping bag, trekking poles, sleeping pad and keep their personal gear light for the journey down.
Get Your Gear Ready Before You Arrive
With flights to Puerto Natales more limited in early 2027, one less thing to manage is your camping gear. Choose what you need, send your request, and pick it up ready to go when you land whichever way you get here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puerto Natales Airport closing in 2027?
No — it stays open with reduced hours: Friday–Sunday in January, weekends in February and March.
What if my flight doesn’t match those days?
You can fly into Punta Arenas (PUQ) and continue by bus, about three hours to Puerto Natales.
Can I rent gear if I’m arriving by bus from Punta Arenas?
Yes — just let us know your arrival details when you send your request so we can coordinate delivery.
Do I need to rent a full camping kit?
No, you can rent individual items like a tent, sleeping bag, or trekking poles only.
Source: Chilean Ministry of Public Works (MOP), August 14, 2026.