FTE · medium airport
El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport
El Calafate, Argentina
Airports
FTEmedium airport
El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport
El Calafate, Argentina
Explore El Calafate city guide Navigate to this airport4
Routes out
3
Destinations
SAWC
ICAO
669 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile
Gateway to Patagonia's glaciers and stunning southern landscapes.
Opened
1990
Location
El Calafate, Argentina
El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport (IATA: FTE, ICAO: SAWC) serves El Calafate, a tourism hub in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. It is the primary air access point for Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
The airport was named in honor of Commander Armando Tola, and its international designation reflects seasonal cross-border traffic as well as connections to Chilean Patagonia. It handles a significant surge in passengers during the austral summer tourist season, roughly November through March.
Despite being a regional facility, FTE operates with a relatively modern infrastructure upgraded to accommodate growing tourist demand. It connects El Calafate with Buenos Aires and other Argentine cities, making it one of the busiest airports in Patagonia.
Terminals
The airport operates a single passenger terminal designed to handle both domestic and international arrivals and departures.
Getting to & from
Ground transport between the airport and El Calafate town center, approximately 15 kilometers away, is available via shuttle buses, taxis, and rental cars.
Airlines here
Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM Argentina are the primary carriers operating scheduled services through FTE, connecting it mainly to Buenos Aires Aeroparque and other Argentine destinations.
Notable facts
- ›Serves as the main gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier.
- ›Named after Commander Armando Tola, an Argentine aviation figure.
- ›Located at an elevation of approximately 669 feet (204 meters) above sea level.
- ›Passenger traffic spikes sharply during the Southern Hemisphere summer tourist season.
- ›Connects to Chilean Patagonia destinations, supporting cross-border tourism.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Generating airport overview…
Route map (3 destinations)
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
FTE → AEPAR · 737
FTE → EZEAR · 737
FTE → USHAR · 737
FTE → USHKL · 737
Aircraft operating here
Hotels near FTE
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
Compare stays for your dates
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via FTE? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Argentina from official government sources.