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| El Tehuelche Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | El Tehuelche Airport |
| Nativename | Aeropuerto El Tehuelche |
| Iata | PMY |
| Icao | SAVY |
| Type | Public / Military |
| Owner | Government of Argentina |
| Operator | Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 |
| City-served | Puerto Madryn |
| Location | Chubut Province, Argentina |
| Elevation-f | 433 |
| Pushpin label | PMY |
| R1-number | 05/23 |
| R1-length-m | 2500 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt |
El Tehuelche Airport is a joint public and military airport serving Puerto Madryn and the surrounding Valdés Peninsula region in Chubut Province, Argentina. The facility facilitates scheduled Aerolíneas Argentinas and regional air services, charter flights for ecotourism to the Golfo Nuevo whale-watching areas, and functions as a logistics node for provincial administration and defense units. The airport's runway and apron support narrow- and medium-body aircraft used on domestic routes connecting to hubs such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Comodoro Rivadavia.
El Tehuelche Airport is located near the Atlantic coast of Patagonia and serves as the principal air gateway for Puerto Madryn, the Valdés Peninsula UNESCO World Heritage marine reserve, and neighboring urban centers. The facility hosts mixed civil-military operations, linking regional air transport to national carriers like Aerolíneas Argentinas and charter operators serving tourism to southern right whales and peninsula attractions. Its strategic position supports connectivity between Argentine Patagonia and metropolitan areas including Buenos Aires and Rosario.
The airport originated as a small airfield established in the mid-20th century to serve growing maritime and passenger traffic to Puerto Madryn, benefiting regional development initiatives by the Chubut provincial government. During periods of heightened regional interest in whale watching and ecotourism, investments mirrored trends driven by international tourism operators and local stakeholders. The site has seen upgrades aligned with national airport modernization programs and partnerships with operators such as Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, reflecting broader transport policy shifts in Argentina.
Runway and apron facilities accommodate aircraft types up to the size of the Boeing 737 family and similar regional jets; the primary runway is surfaced with asphalt and equipped with lighting and basic navigational aids. The passenger terminal includes check-in, security screening, baggage claim, and passenger services scaled for seasonal traffic peaks related to marine wildlife tourism. Onsite infrastructure supports military detachments and includes hangars and apron space for tactical and logistical aircraft linked to Argentine Air Force operations. Fueling, fire rescue, and ground handling services comply with standards adapted from International Civil Aviation Organization guidance and national civil aviation authority requirements.
Scheduled services operate between the airport and major Argentine cities; carriers have included Aerolíneas Argentinas and regional airlines connecting to hubs such as Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires and Comodoro Rivadavia. Charter flights and seasonal routes increase capacity during peak tourism months for access to the Valdés Peninsula and marine wildlife excursions popular with operators from United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Brazil. Cargo and special-purpose flights support fisheries, aquaculture, and scientific expeditions coordinated with institutions like the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and provincial research centers.
Traffic volumes exhibit strong seasonality, with passenger peaks aligned to austral summer whale-watching season and holiday periods observed in Argentina and source markets such as Chile and Uruguay. Operational statistics track aircraft movements, passenger throughput, and cargo tonnage, reflecting trends in domestic tourism and regional commerce tied to fisheries and services. Air traffic control coordinates with regional centers and the Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC) frameworks to manage flight operations and safety oversight.
The airport is connected to Puerto Madryn and surrounding communities via regional roads, bus services operated by provincial carriers, and private transfers organized by hotels and tour operators. Ground access supports linkages to major highways leading to Trelew, Rawson, and other Patagonian localities, enabling multimodal transport for passengers arriving for tourism, research missions with CONICET, or provincial administrative business.
Safety management adheres to protocols influenced by International Civil Aviation Organization advisory material and national aviation regulations administered by ANAC. Recorded incidents have been typical of regional airports—operational disruptions due to weather, wildlife on airfield perimeters related to proximity to the Valdés Peninsula ecosystem, and occasional technical diversions—addressed through coordinated responses involving airport rescue and firefighting units and regional emergency services.
Category:Airports in Argentina Category:Buildings and structures in Chubut Province