El Arrayán Airfield

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons driven by urban expansion. As the city of Puerto Varas grew, the land occupied by the airfield became extremely valuable for residential development. The site was sold to developers to build a high-end housing project, making continued aviation operations untenable.

The site of the former airfield has been completely redeveloped. It is now a fully established, upscale residential neighborhood called 'Lomas del Lago'. There are no visible remnants of the runway, hangars, or any other airport infrastructure. The area is now characterized by houses, paved streets, and parks.

For several decades, El Arrayán Airfield was the primary air access point for Puerto Varas. It was operated by the Club Aéreo de Puerto Varas (Puerto Varas Flying Club) and was a crucial center for general aviation, air taxi services, and tourism. The airfield was instrumental in supporting the region's burgeoning tourism industry, offering scenic flights over Llanquihue Lake and the iconic Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. It handled small propeller aircraft (like Cessnas and Pipers) and served as a vital link for connectivity and emergency services before operations in the region were consolidated at the larger El Tepual Airport (PMC) in Puerto Montt.

There are no plans or prospects to reopen the airfield at its original location, as it is now a densely populated residential area. However, the closure created a significant void for local aviation. The Club Aéreo de Puerto Varas, along with local business and tourism operators, has been actively pursuing the development of a new airfield in a different location outside the city's urban core to serve general aviation, tourism, and emergency needs. While several proposals and land searches have been conducted over the years, a new replacement airfield has not yet been constructed.