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Gateway to Chilean Patagonia's remote volcanic landscape.
Opened
2011
Location
Chaitén, Chile
Nuevo Chaitén Airport (IATA: WCH, ICAO: SCTN) is a small regional airport serving the town of Chaitén in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile. It was constructed as a replacement facility after the original Chaitén Airport was severely damaged and rendered unusable following the catastrophic eruption of Chaitén Volcano in May 2008, which buried much of the town under ash and lahars.
The airport provides critical air connectivity to this remote Patagonian community, which is otherwise accessible primarily by ferry along the Carretera Austral corridor. Regular scheduled services link Chaitén to Puerto Montt, offering residents and visitors a vital transport link to the broader national network.
Due to the small size of the town and limited demand, the airport operates with minimal infrastructure and handles light aircraft and small regional turboprop services. It plays an essential role in emergency access and economic development for the slowly recovering community.
Terminals
The airport has a single small terminal building suited for low-volume regional passenger traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport from the airport to Chaitén town center is limited, with taxis and private vehicles being the primary options.
Airlines here
Aerovías DAP and other small Chilean regional carriers have operated scheduled services connecting Chaitén to Puerto Montt.
Notable facts
- ›Built to replace the original airport destroyed by the 2008 Chaitén volcanic eruption.
- ›Chaitén Volcano's 2008 eruption was the first major eruption of the volcano in recorded history.
- ›The town of Chaitén was largely evacuated and partially relocated following the disaster.
- ›The airport serves as a critical lifeline for a community with limited road and sea access.
- ›Located along the Carretera Austral, one of Chile's most scenic and remote highway corridors.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
