Departure
98%
vs 95% ▲ 3
MY FS FLIGHTS
MY FS FLIGHTS
Guardiamarina Zañartu Airport serves Puerto Williams on Navarino Island, at the far southern tip of Chile, and holds the distinction of being the world's southernmost airport with regular scheduled flights. Its single runway sits on a narrow peninsula with water close to both thresholds and mountainous terrain flanking the approaches, making it a striking but demanding destination for the VFR pilot.
Guardiamarina Zañartu Airport is a small public airfield operated by Chile's Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), serving the remote settlement of Puerto Williams on Navarino Island in the Magallanes Region at the southern extremity of Chile. It is best known as the world's southernmost airport with scheduled commercial service, linking this isolated community, across the Beagle Channel from Argentina, with Punta Arenas. For simulator pilots the appeal lies in its dramatic subantarctic setting: a lone runway on a slender peninsula, surrounded by water and mountains, in one of the most remote inhabited corners of the world.
The airfield lies on the north shore of Navarino Island, at the southern tip of continental Chile, separated from Argentina by the narrow Beagle Channel. Mountainous terrain rises to both the north and south of the field, and the runway occupies a small peninsula, so approaches from either direction are flown partially over water. There is no other significant airport nearby, reflecting the airfield's isolated position in the far south of the Magallanes Region.
The field has a single runway, 08/26, measuring 4720 feet and surfaced in hard asphalt-type material; both directions are lit. There is no ILS approach available.
Air traffic services are provided under the callsign Williams Approach/Tower on 118.5 MHz. Navigation at the field is supported by a VOR-DME.
The runway itself, built out onto a small peninsula with water close to both ends, is the dominant visual feature for pilots approaching the field, with high ground rising to the north and south providing further orientation.
The airport takes its name from Ensign (Guardia Marina) Zañartu. It has operated as the aerial gateway to Puerto Williams, the principal settlement on Navarino Island, for many years. On 21 February 1991, LAN Chile Flight 1069 suffered a runway overrun on landing due to pilot error, resulting in the deaths of 20 people.
The airport continues to provide scheduled air service to Puerto Williams, with Aerovías DAP operating flights to and from Punta Arenas. It remains the world's southernmost airport with regular scheduled flights, serving as a vital link for this remote island community.