Chile: Osorno's Cañal Bajo airport closed until 22 November for runway works, followed by night closures

Cañal Bajo Carlos Siebert airport in Osorno, in Chile's Los Lagos region, is closed for runway conservation works from 00:01 on 2 November until 23:59 on 22 November 2026, according to the schedule announced by the Directorate of Airports of Chile's Ministry of Public Works (MOP). The full closure covers the period in which the most complex work on the 1,950-metre runway is carried out.

The ministry said the works include replacing the asphalt surface with a more resistant polymer-modified material, applying a protective sealant to the pavement and fully repainting the runway markings that guide pilots during take-off and landing. After the full closure, partial preventive closures are planned from 23 November to 6 December. These are limited to night-time and low-traffic hours, from 17:00 to 07:00 the following day, with the runway fully available for daytime traffic.

According to the ministry, the schedule was coordinated with the airlines, Chile's civil aviation directorate (DGAC) and the Directorate of Airports, and the work was concentrated in November so that the airport would be at full capacity before the summer high season. Regional officials presented the project as a safety improvement for passengers and airlines.

The announcement does not list affected flights or alternative airports. Passengers booked to or from Osorno during the closure, or on evening flights until 6 December, should confirm with their airline whether their flight operates, how it has been changed and which options are available.