Punta del Este Airport closes winter season with record-breaking flights and looks toward expansion

As the charter flight season for student trips to Bariloche comes to an end, the Aeropuerto Internacional Laguna del Sauce experienced a busy weekend with daily flight arrivals.

  Guillermo Pagés, the airport’s manager, described this period as “a rewarding experience” and highlighted the team’s role in maintaining operations during demanding days that included both commercial and charter flights running late into the night.

“It was a challenge. We are proud to see everything went smoothly and to receive positive feedback from both students and travel agencies,” he stated. 

One of the highlights of this season was the reinforcement of regular flights. Aerolíneas Argentinas added a fifth weekly frequency between Aeroparque and Punta del Este. “It’s a major commitment that we hope to maintain and even expand by the end of the year,” he said. Additionally, it was confirmed that Paranair will resume flights from Paraguay starting in December, and ongoing meetings are being held with airlines such as Gol and LATAM to strengthen regional routes and reactivate destinations. 

Pagés also envisions new opportunities to break the seasonality of the airport, especially through student travel. “Just as our teenagers travel to Bariloche, we dream of welcoming young Argentinians, Paraguayans, and Brazilians during the quieter months. Punta del Este has so much to offer them as a destination,” he said. 

In terms of private aviation, the airport continues to establish itself as a regional benchmark. He highlighted personalized services and an increase in year-round activity, noting that this sector is a key pillar in sustaining off-season operations. “Executive aviation places high value on efficiency, privacy, and personalized service — and that’s what we offer,” he explained. 

Regarding quality standards, the airport recently received ISO 9001 certification for its ground handling service management. It has also undergone environmental sustainability audits and maintains the high standards required by international airlines such as Aerolíneas Argentinas. “Airport competition is no longer just about passenger numbers, but about how service is delivered. In that regard, Punta del Este holds a very strong position,” he told us. 

Finally, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistently high standard throughout the year: “Quality isn’t improvised for an audit; it’s built every day. That’s the commitment we’ve made to every airline, passenger, and visitor who comes through our airport.” 

Punta del Este Airport continues to position itself as a key player in the region’s tourism and economic development.

Rosanna Freda