✨ AI SearchLog in / Register
Home›El Calafate Airport (FTE) Guide
IATA: FTE · El Calafate, Argentina

El Calafate Airport Guide

CapitalBuenos Aires
Population46,735,004
CurrencyARS $ Argentine peso
LanguageSpanish
Time ZoneUTC-03:00
AirportFTE
Distance—
Flight Time—
Visitors/yr~9,463,474

El Calafate Airport (IATA: FTE) is a key aviation hub serving El Calafate and the wider Argentina region. The airport operates 2 passenger terminals, handling millions of passengers annually.

Getting to El Calafate from FTE

Train and metro offer the fastest connections (20–40 min). Buses and shared shuttles are the most affordable. Taxis and rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt) are ideal with luggage or in groups.

Terminals & Facilities

El Calafate Airport has 2 terminals with duty-free retail, restaurants, business lounges, family zones and prayer rooms. Free WiFi is available throughout.

Airport Lounges at FTE

Multiple lounges are accessible via Priority Pass, Amex Platinum, airline status or day-pass purchase. Amenities include complimentary food and drinks, fast WiFi and shower facilities.

Parking

Short-stay, long-stay and meet-and-greet options are available at El Calafate Airport. Pre-booking online saves 30–50% versus paying at the gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early to arrive at FTE?+
Is there free WiFi at El Calafate Airport?+
How do I get from FTE to El Calafate city centre?+
Are there hotels near FTE?+
Which airlines fly from FTE?+

Top Activities in El Calafate

Loading activities…

Hotels in El Calafate

Loading hotels…

El Calafate Airport (FTE) at a glance

IATA / ICAO
FTE / SAWC
Serves
El Calafate
Country
Argentina
Local time now
02:13 (-03)
Time zone
America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos
Currency
ARS ($)
Capital
Buenos Aires
Coordinates
-50.2803, -72.0531

Popular Searches

Cheap Flights From LondonFlights to ParisBest Time Fly London to New YorkAirport Guide LHRAll AirlinesAll Destinations

Nonstop destinations from FTE

El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport has published nonstop service to 5 airports across 1 countries. The busiest are listed first, with straight-line distance from FTE.

DestinationIATACountryDistance
Buenos AiresAEPArgentina2,068 km
UshuaiaUSHArgentina567 km
Buenos Aires (Ezeiza)EZEArgentina2,037 km
San Carlos de BarilocheBRCArgentina1,017 km
RawsonRELArgentina939 km

Airlines serving FTE

4 carriers publish nonstop service at FTE, ranked by how many routes each one appears on. Counts include codeshares, so a carrier can be listed here while the aircraft is flown by a partner. Schedules change seasonally — check the operating carrier on your own dates before booking.

AirlineCodeTypeRoutes
Aerolineas ArgentinasARFull Service12
LATAM AirlinesLAFull Service7
American AirlinesAAFull Service2
LATAM BrasilJJFull Service2

At the airport

General guidance rather than FTE-specific detail — terminal counts, lounge locations, desk opening hours and lost-property arrangements change often, so confirm those on the airport’s own site before you travel.

SecurityAllow longer than you think at peak departure banks - typically early morning and late evening. Liquids and electronics rules still differ by airport even where scanners have been upgraded.
ImmigrationArriving passengers clear immigration at the first point of entry into a country, not at the final destination, which is what makes tight connections risky on separate tickets.
Terminal transfersWhere an airport has multiple terminals, allow for a shuttle or train between them. Airside transfers are faster, but a change of terminal often means re-clearing security.
Wi-FiFree Wi-Fi is now near-universal at scheduled-service airports, usually with a time limit or an email sign-in. Download boarding passes before you land in case sign-in fails.
Food and shopsMost retail sits airside, after security. Landside options before security are usually thinner and close earlier.
AccessibilityRequest assistance through your airline at least 48 hours ahead. It is a legal entitlement across the EU, UK and US, but only guaranteed when pre-booked.
CurrencyAirport exchange desks carry the widest spreads of anywhere in a country. An ATM in the arrivals hall, or a card with no foreign-transaction fee, is almost always cheaper.
Lost propertyItems left on the aircraft go to the airline; items left in the terminal go to the airport operator. They are separate systems, so report to the right one.