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Gateway to Patagonia's Torres del Paine wilderness.
Location
Puerto Natales, Chile
Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport (IATA: PNT, ICAO: SCNT) serves Puerto Natales, a small city in the Magallanes Region of southern Chile. The airport acts as an important access point for travelers heading to Torres del Paine National Park, one of South America's premier trekking destinations.
The airport is named after Lieutenant Julio Gallardo, honoring Chilean aviation history. It operates with limited scheduled services, primarily connecting Puerto Natales to other Chilean cities such as Santiago and Punta Arenas, and sees increased traffic during the Patagonian summer tourist season.
Due to the remote and rugged terrain of the region, air travel is a critical link for both residents and tourists visiting the area. The airport has modest infrastructure befitting a small regional facility serving a town of approximately 20,000 inhabitants.
Terminals
The airport features a single small terminal building suited to low-volume regional passenger traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into Puerto Natales city center is available via taxi and private transfer services from the airport.
Airlines here
Sky Airline and LATAM Airlines have operated routes connecting Puerto Natales to Santiago and other Chilean cities.
Notable facts
- ›Serves as a gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- ›Named in honor of Lieutenant Julio Gallardo, a Chilean aviation figure.
- ›Located in the Magallanes Region, one of Chile's southernmost administrative areas.
- ›Passenger traffic is highly seasonal, peaking during the Southern Hemisphere summer (November–March).
- ›Operates as a small regional airport with limited infrastructure and flight frequencies.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
