Quick answer: The airport is not closing. The runway is being repaired in shifts between January and March 2027 and flights keep operating, mostly on weekends. Fewer flight days means more people arrive by bus from Punta Arenas, and that changes when you collect your gear, not whether you can get it.
What the works actually are
Between January and March 2027 the runway at Teniente Julio Gallardo is being resurfaced in partial shifts, so the airport stays open and flights concentrate on weekends. The full schedule and the flight estimates are in the official MOP notice of 14 August 2026.
If you are still deciding how to get here, or what happens to a booked trek when a flight moves, our travel side covers exactly that: Puerto Natales Airport Update 2027. The rest of this page is only about your equipment.
Arriving by bus instead of by plane
Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is about three hours by road, so most people flying into Punta Arenas reach Natales in the afternoon or the evening.
We deliver into the evening, so a late bus is not a problem. If something goes wrong on the way, tell us and we wait for you. We can meet you at the bus terminal instead of your hotel, and we can come back for the gear wherever suits you at the end. Delivery here is arranged between people, not by a system.
If your flight lands on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday
In January most flights sit on those three days, and in February and March on weekends. Everyone else is flying on those days too.
Arrivals pile up on the same dates, and so do gear collections. It is not that equipment runs out on those weekends; it is that the days either side of them get busy. Booking earlier than you normally would is worth it this season, especially for sleeping bags and tents.
If your flight is delayed
Message us on WhatsApp as soon as you know: +56 9 5731 5488. We hand over your gear whenever you land, however late that is.
Being straight with you about the one thing that does not change: the rental days you booked are still the days you pay for, because your equipment was held for you and off the shelf on those dates. That is why we ask you to book the delivery for the day before your trek starts and not for your arrival day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I collect my gear the same evening I arrive by bus?
Yes. We deliver into the evening. Tell us roughly when you expect to arrive and we will be there.
Can I change my delivery date after I book?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp and we move it. There is no charge for moving a delivery date.
Do you deliver to the bus terminal?
Yes, if that is easier than your hotel. Just tell us where you want it.
Is Puerto Natales Airport closing in 2027?
No. It stays open with a reduced schedule while the runway is repaired. The MOP notice has the detail, and our travel side explains what it means for a booked trip.