---
iata: FTE
name: Comandante Armando Tola International Airport
city: El Calafate
country: Argentina
lastUpdated: '2026-09-25'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.aeropuertoelcalafate.com/en/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.aeropuertoelcalafate.com/en/'
  - >-
    https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/argentina/comandante-armando-tola-international/fte-w-lounge-el-calafate
  - 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comandante_Armando_Tola_International_Airport'
quickFacts:
  - IATA FTE / ICAO SAWC — Comandante Armando Tola International (El Calafate)
  - 'GPS -50.28028, -72.05333 · ~21 km east of town'
  - >-
    W Lounge El Calafate (PP) — airside after security near Gate 4; hours linked
    to first–last flight; max 3h; under-2 free; domestic; smart casual
  - >-
    Aerolíneas Argentinas · JetSmart · LADE (+ seasonal Sky SCL / GOL GRU
    framing)
  - Taxi / transfer ~21 km — confirm live ARS
  - No official MCT or security wait minutes — omitted
bentoTips:
  - label: PP hours
    title: Linked to first–last flight
    detail: Maximum 3-hour stay; space may refuse.
    summary: >-
      Priority Pass lists hours as first flight to last flight — not a fixed
      clock.
    category: timing
  - label: Find it
    title: After security near Gate 4
    detail: Smart casual dress on PP strip.
    summary: 'PP: airside after Security Control near Gate 4. Domestic only.'
    category: terminal
  - label: Drinks
    title: Standard alcohol complimentary
    detail: No first-party HA F&B rating.
    summary: PP lists complimentary standard alcoholic drinks among facilities.
    category: food
  - label: Ground
    title: ~21 km to El Calafate
    detail: Budget transfer time; confirm live ARS.
    summary: Airport sits east of town on Camino al Aeropuerto km 23.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: W Lounge El Calafate
    zone: airside
    hours: 'Priority Pass: linked to first flight – last flight'
    access:
      - >-
        Priority Pass (domestic; max stay 3 hours; children under 2 free; smart
        casual; may refuse when full)
    bestFor:
      - PP holders on El Calafate domestic glacier banks
    summary: >-
      Airside near Gate 4 after security; flight-linked hours; max 3h. Verdict
      worth-it.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Main Terminal
    amenities:
      - Air conditioning
      - Alcoholic drinks (standard complimentary)
      - Digital card accepted
      - Disabled access
      - Flight information
waterOptions: []
airportistScore: 6.7
slug: fte
region: South America
---
> Markdown for [/airports/fte](/airports/fte). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/fte)
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# Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE)
El Calafate, Argentina · South America
Patagonia’s El Calafate / Los Glaciares gateway with Priority Pass W Lounge El Calafate airside after security near Gate 4 — hours linked to first/last flight, max 3h, under-2 free, smart casual — for domestic passengers, plus Aerolíneas / JetSmart / LADE banks and ~21 km city transfer.
## Airportist Score

**6.7 / 10**
Weighted sum of the six published categories (no holistic fudge).
- Ease of use (25%): 7.2 — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
- Comfort & amenities (20%): 6.6 — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
- Food & retail (15%): 6.0 — Food and retail quality and variety.
- Ground access (15%): 6.4 — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
- Reliability (15%): 6.8 — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
- Lounges (10%): 7.4 — Worth-it density and access quality.

## At a glance

- Passengers: undefined
- Terminals: Single passenger terminal (Carlos Ott design; opened 2000)
- Typical security: undefined min
- On-time: undefined%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Priority Pass holders on El Calafate domestic banks
- Los Glaciares / Perito Moreno leisure traffic
- Aerolíneas / JetSmart AEP–EZE and regional Patagonia banks

## Watch out for

- PP hours linked to first/last flight — not a fixed clock strip
- Domestic only; max stay 3h; access may be refused when full; smart casual dress
- ~21 km from town — budget transfer time
- No published MCT

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/fte/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/fte/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/fte/amenities.md) (free)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/fte/tips.md) (free)
- [Water](/airports/fte/water.md) (free)
- [Full guide](/airports/fte/guide.md) (free)
- [Disruptions](/airports/fte/disruptions.md) (free)
- [Reviews](/airports/fte/reviews.md) (free)