Español
Português
Ushuaia to Antarctica: First Civilian Flight to Petrel Base
Categorías: Uncategorized
Ushuaia makes history: first civilian flight to Antarctica’s Petrel Base
On February 12, 2026, Ushuaia-based company HeliUshuaia operated the first civilian flight to land at Petrel Base in Antarctica. This milestone strengthens Ushuaia’s position as a gateway to the White Continent.
The operation was carried out in cooperation with Argentina’s Joint Antarctic Command (COCOANTAR), marking an important step for Antarctic logistics and the potential development of polar tourism.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
A historic flight from Ushuaia to Antarctica
The aircraft departed Ushuaia at 9:30 a.m. and landed at Petrel Base at 1:42 p.m., covering approximately 1,200 kilometers over the Drake Passage and encountering winds of up to 150 km/h.
After spending six hours at the Antarctic base, the aircraft returned to Ushuaia in just two and a half hours, helped by more stable weather conditions. This was the first civilian landing at Petrel since efforts began to restore it as a permanent Argentine base.
The aircraft: equipped for Antarctic operations
The flight used a Beechcraft King Air B200 turboprop aircraft specially prepared for operations on unpaved runways. Its main features include:
- Ability to land on dirt, gravel and permafrost surfaces
- High-flotation landing gear
- Upgraded engines
- Modern Garmin avionics
- Cargo capacity of up to 800 kg
Before landing at Petrel, the crew flew over Marambio Base and made two approaches to check the instruments and weather conditions. Captain Roberto Valdés commanded the flight, coordinated by HeliUshuaia director Osvaldo Mella.
Petrel Base: a key part of Argentina’s Antarctic strategy
Petrel Base opened in 1967 and was one of Argentina’s most important Antarctic bases until a fire in 1974 put it out of operation. It subsequently served for decades as a summer base, before a project to restore year-round operations began.
Current infrastructure includes:
- A new runway
- Modernized logistics facilities
- A planned pier expansion
- An operational hangar
Its location at sea level makes it a strategic alternative to Marambio Base, particularly for emergency operations, medical evacuations and scientific support.
Ushuaia: an air gateway to Antarctica
Ushuaia is already internationally known as a major departure port for Antarctic cruises, welcoming more than 100,000 passengers annually who embark on sea expeditions, according to the original article.
This first civilian flight opens up new possibilities:
- Faster logistical transfers
- Support for international scientific programs
- Potential future Antarctic air tourism
- Strategic connections from Tierra del Fuego
According to HeliUshuaia, the aim is to develop training and reconnaissance flights and, eventually, medical and humanitarian transport operations. A comparable model already operates in Chile, where flights to Frei Base contribute to the polar tourism economy.
A step toward the future
This landing is more than an aviation achievement. It signals Ushuaia’s strategic importance on the global Antarctic map.
Private investment, government support and long-term logistics planning may help make the capital of Tierra del Fuego not only a maritime departure point but also a leading air hub for Antarctica. Looking south is no longer just a metaphor: it is a development strategy.
