Papageno Airport

The airport's closure was not due to a single event like an accident or military conversion, but was a direct consequence of economic factors. The airstrip was a private facility exclusively serving the adjacent 'Hotel & Termas Papageno'. When the hotel's founder and owner, Eberhard Kossmann, passed away, the hotel ceased operations and was eventually sold. With the closure of the hotel, the airstrip lost its sole purpose and was subsequently closed as an officially recognized facility around the same time.

The site of the former Papageno Airport is now part of 'Parque Futangue', a private nature reserve and luxury hotel that was developed on the property of the old Hotel Papageno. The runway has been maintained and is currently active as a private airstrip for the park and its guests. While it is considered 'closed' in many public aviation databases because it is no longer a registered public aerodrome, it is operational for private use. Landing requires prior permission and coordination (PPR) with the administration of Parque Futangue. The airstrip is now often referred to as the 'Futangue' airstrip.

Papageno Airport was a private airstrip whose significance was intrinsically linked to high-end, exclusive tourism in the Panguipulli region. Its primary function was to provide direct, fly-in access for wealthy guests traveling to the remote and luxurious Hotel & Termas Papageno. The hotel, known for its German-inspired architecture and thermal baths, catered to an international clientele who could bypass ground transportation by landing their private, light general aviation aircraft just steps from the property. The airport, with its well-maintained 900-meter grass runway, was a key amenity that amplified the hotel's exclusivity and accessibility, making it a unique destination in the Chilean Lake District during its operational years.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport to the public. Its current status as a private, active airstrip serves the needs of its current owner, Parque Futangue. It is expected to remain a private facility, supporting the park's exclusive tourism operations. The term 'reopening' in a public sense is not applicable, as it functions as intended in its private capacity.