Ushuaia is the southernmost city in Argentina and is the closest land mass to Antarctica – a mere 769 miles (1,238 km).
What started as a gateway for explorers and now cruise ships, the city, located on the Beagle Channel, has become a major tourist destination for Argentinians and foreigners who want to witness what life is like at the ‘end of the world’.
The settlement is served by Ushuaia/Malvinas Argentinas Airport – referencing the name given by Argentina to the British Falkland Islands. Often regarded as a difficult airfield by pilots, obstacles include nearby terrain, unpredictable weather and wind shear. That said, its 10,827ft (3,300m) Runway 07/25 is capable of handling widebodies with ease.
Although much safer than its predecessor – now home to the local aeroclub – when winds are from the north, inbound traffic is forced to land under strong crosswinds and heavy turbulence throughout the whole approach. Moreover, aircraft encounter tailwind components on approach as no landings are permitted for Runway 07 due to a mountain. No special training is required for Ushuaia, but pilots must remain vigilant and react fast to anything that cannot be predicted.
The flag carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas …
