4/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“While relatively small, the airport features essential services, including car rentals, cafes, a gift shop, and a new VIP lounge added in 2024.”
Yaro Traveler5★ on Google
Airports / Argentina / FTE
Medium airport · FTE
El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport.
El Calafate, Argentina · 669 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.3/5
Google rating
3,123 ratings
0
Operators based
669
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
El Calafate, ArgentinaELEV 669 FTMedium airportScheduled service
4.3
Google rating
3,123
Google reviews
ratings on Google
669
Field elevation
feet above sea level
85
Nearest alternate
nm to PNT
Field standing
#30 / 72
Argentina airports by Google rating
4.3★ across 3123 Google ratings , ranked against 72 rated Argentina fields.
85 nm
To the nearest alternate
Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT).
Overview
El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (SAWC / FTE) is a mid-sized airport serving El Calafate, Argentina. Field elevation is 669 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
While no charter operators list FTE as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT, 85 nm), Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández International Airport (RGL, 131 nm), and Santa Cruz Airport (RZA, 135 nm). The field has a single 8,366-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Trip costs from FTE are driven by the aircraft category flown and how far it must reposition. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from FTE to plan your flight.
Run an FBO at SAWC? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
2/ 5 reviews
FBO & ground handling
“It operates year-round and sees significant traffic, particularly during peak summer months, handling nearly 900,000 passengers annually.”
Yaro Traveler5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
SAWC
IATA
FTE
FAA / Local
ECA
Elevation
669 ft
Coordinates
50.2803° S · 72.0534° W
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs Argentina fields
state range 9–4,685 ft
At 669 ft, FTE sits higher than 57% of the 72 Argentina fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 8,366 ft
- 7/258,366 ft × 148 ftConcreteLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 8,366 ft
FTE's 8,366 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 85nmPNTLieutenant Julio Gallardo AirportPuerto Natales
- 131nmRGLPiloto Civil Norberto Fernández International AirportRio Gallegos
- 135nmRZASanta Cruz AirportPuerto Santa Cruz
- 169nmPUQPresident Carlos Ibáñez International AirportPunta Arenas
- 175nmULACapitan D Daniel Vazquez AirportSan Julian
- 184nmLGRCochrane AirportCochrane
Location
Open the full mapSAWC · El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport · El Calafate, Argentina
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from FTE on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Miami (MIA) | 4,589 nm | 11h 4m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 4,641 nm | 11h 12m |
| Houston (HOU) | 4,955 nm | 11h 55m |
| Austin (AUS) | 5,020 nm | 12h 4m |
| Dallas (DAL) | 5,162 nm | 12h 24m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 5,245 nm | 12h 36m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 5,365 nm | 12h 53m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 5,464 nm | 13h 6m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use FTE?
- El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport's longest paved runway is 8,366 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at FTE?
- El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 8,366 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to FTE?
- The closest alternate is Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT), about 85 nm away, followed by Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández International Airport (RGL) at 131 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from FTE to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Miami about 11h 4m (4,589 nm), Palm Beach about 11h 12m (4,641 nm), Houston about 11h 55m (4,955 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.