Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport

El Plumerillo International Airport, officially named Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport and commonly referred to as Mendoza Airport, sits 8 kilometers north of downtown Mendoza in the Las Heras department. It is the main air gateway to Argentina's wine country, handling over 1.5 million passengers annually with flights connecting to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, and seasonal international routes.

Getting There

The airport is located on Avenida Acceso Norte (RN 40) in the town of Las Heras. From central Mendoza, the drive takes 15 to 20 minutes via Avenida San Martín, which becomes RN 40. Taxis and remises (private hire cars) are available at the airport and from ranks around Plaza Independencia. A taxi to the city center costs around ARS 1500–2000 (subject to change). Rideshare apps like Uber operate in Mendoza but may have limited availability at the airport.

For budget travelers, the city bus line 40 runs from the airport to the terminal at Rioja and Mitre in central Mendoza, with a journey time of about 40 minutes. The bus stop is just outside the arrivals hall. Buses run every 20-30 minutes from early morning until late evening. There is no direct shuttle to the wine regions of Maipú or Luján de Cuyo, but taxis can be arranged from the airport for those destinations.

If driving, the airport has a paid parking lot with short-term and long-term rates. The entrance is well signed from the main road. Parking costs approximately ARS 100 per hour or ARS 800 per day. Note that the parking lot can fill up during busy periods, so allow extra time.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single, modern building with two levels. Departures are on the upper level, arrivals on the ground floor. The check-in hall is open and naturally lit, with counters for Aerolíneas Argentinas, LATAM, Sky Airline, JetSmart, and others. Self-service kiosks are available for some airlines. Security screening is efficient but can get congested during peak hours (Monday 1 pm, Tuesday 7 pm, Wednesday 12 pm, Thursday 10 am).

After security, the departure lounge has seating areas, a small duty-free shop selling wine, spirits, and local products, and a café with sandwiches and coffee. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. Charging stations are available near the gates, though outlets can be scarce. The airport has wheelchair-accessible entrances, toilets, and parking. Changing tables are available in the accessible restrooms.

Baggage storage is located on the arrivals level, useful for passengers with layovers who want to explore the city without luggage. The carousel area is compact but functional. On-site services include a bank with currency exchange, ATMs, and a tourist information kiosk. There are no hotels inside the terminal, but the nearby Sheraton and Park Hyatt offer shuttle services.

For passengers with reduced mobility, the airport provides assistance. It is advisable to request help from your airline at least 48 hours in advance. The terminal is compact enough to navigate without extensive walking, but distances between check-in and gates are short.

El Plumerillo International Airport - Mendoze MDZ and Las Heras

Las Heras is the second-most populous department in Mendoza Province, stretching from the urban sprawl of Greater Mendoza into the arid foothills of the Andes. The town of Las Heras itself, adjacent to the airport, is a working-class district with local markets and eateries, but most visitors head directly to Mendoza city or the wine regions. The real draw of the area is the combination of Andean scenery and viticulture.

Mendoza is Argentina's wine capital, responsible for about 70% of the country's wine production. The most famous wine route, the Ruta del Vino, begins just south of the city in Maipú and extends to Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Visitors can tour bodegas like Catena Zapata, Norton, and Bodega Lagarde, often with tastings and lunch. The city center itself features tree-lined avenues, Plaza Independencia, and the Basilica of San Francisco. The Museo del Área Fundacional tells the story of the 1561 settlement destroyed by an earthquake.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Andes offer hiking, rafting on the Mendoza River, and skiing at Los Penitentes or Las Leñas in winter. Aconcagua Provincial Park, home to the highest peak in the Americas (6,961 m), is about a three-hour drive from the airport. The park allows day hikes to the base camp.

Culturally, Mendoza is known for its harvest festival, La Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, held each March with parades, music, and fireworks. The airport sees a surge of arrivals during this period, so book well in advance.

Las Heras itself has some minor attractions: the Cerro Arco viewpoint offers panoramic views of the city and mountains, and the Dique Frías reservoir is a popular weekend spot for locals. But the airport's location makes it an ideal base for exploring the entire Mendoza region.

Practical Information

The airport is open daily from approximately 5:00 am until midnight, but hours vary by flight schedule. Some facilities may close earlier if no flights are scheduled. The official website (http://www.aeropuertosargentina.com/mendoza) provides real-time flight information. For inquiries, call +54 261 520-6000.

A few tips: Bring Argentine pesos for taxis and small purchases; ATMs in the arrivals hall dispense pesos but often have long lines. The tap water in Mendoza is safe, but most visitors drink bottled water. If you are renting a car, check that the rental agency is open when you arrive – some close between 10 pm and 6 am.

One concrete piece of advice: If you are traveling to the wine regions, hire a private driver or join a tour rather than driving yourself. The roads to Maipú and Luján are well signposted, but wine tasting can make driving risky, and local traffic habits may be unfamiliar. The airport's tourist desk can recommend reputable tour operators.