If you are flying into or out of Buenos Aires between late October and mid-November 2026, check your booking now. Runway works at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) are set to cause significant disruption to long-haul services for nearly three weeks.
If your flight is cancelled or delayed over 3 hours on an EU-regulated carrier you may be owed up to EUR 600: check your claim.
What is happening at Ezeiza
The airport’s main runway will be shortened from its full 3,300 metres to 1,850 metres from 24 October to 11 November 2026, while essential surface repairs are carried out. The reduced length is below the minimum required for fully loaded long-haul widebody departures, which means flights cannot take off at normal maximum weight.
At least 14 carriers have already announced operational changes in response, including Air France, British Airways, Delta, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, and United. Affected routes are primarily transatlantic and routes requiring large fuel loads.
How airlines are responding
Airlines are handling the restriction in different ways:
- Technical stops: some long-haul departures will make an intermediate stop - typically in a South American city such as São Paulo, Montevideo, or Santiago - to top up fuel before crossing the Atlantic.
- Service suspensions: several airlines are cancelling EZE services for part or all of the works period and diverting passengers via alternate routing.
- Schedule shifts: a number of carriers are adjusting departure times to take advantage of cooler air temperatures, which improve aircraft performance.
Inbound flights are less affected, as arriving aircraft do not require the same runway length.
What you should do
For delays, cancellations and denied boarding, our flight delay compensation guide explains your rights and how to claim. Passengers on EU carriers such as Air France, Iberia, KLM or Lufthansa can also check a compensation claim.
If you are already booked, log into your airline account or check your email for schedule change notifications. Airlines are generally offering free rebooking or refunds for passengers whose flights are significantly altered.
If you are planning to travel, consider flexibility around the 24 October–11 November window. Connections via São Paulo (GRU) and Santiago (SCL) remain unaffected.
Domestic flights from Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) within Argentina are not impacted by these works. Travellers continuing to Patagonia, Mendoza, or Iguazú can still use those services normally.
We recommend confirming your flight status directly with your airline at least 72 hours before departure and building extra time into onward connections.
For getting between the airport and the city, see our guide to Buenos Aires airport transfers, or book a private transfer from Ezeiza to avoid any uncertainty with scheduling. If you are still planning your trip, our flights to Argentina guide covers routes, airlines, and booking tips - you can also compare current fares across carriers before committing to dates. And if you are arriving in the capital, Buenos Aires has everything you need for your first few days.