$1.6 billion is being invested in a new terminal for Peru’s main airport. However, not everyone is pleased with the news.
A New Terminal for Peru’s Capital hub
Last week, Lima Airport Partners (LAP), the operator of Jorge Chavez International Airport, held a press conference to announce their renovation plans for the capital’s aviation hub. The group unveiled plans for a second terminal, two new runways, and a new traffic control tower, significantly increasing the airport’s passenger capacity. LAP says the new infrastructure will accommodate up to 37 million passengers per year.
The new control tower and the second runway are expected to be completed by July 2022, while the new terminal will open its doors by 2025. LAP has invested 1.6 billion dollars into the project, and a further $160 million is being put into modernising the existing Terminal 1, which will go towards implementing new technologies that will enhance the passenger experience.
Airlines’ Disgruntled
Not everyone is happy with the news. The Peruvian airline industry has published a statement expressing their dissatisfaction with the new proposal. Upgrades to Lima airport have been in the pipeline for a few years now. However, the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to building works on the hub and the Peruvian Government and LAP decided to change their plans. The Peruvian airline industry statement accuses the Government and LAP of reducing the expected capacity for the new terminal. Airlines are asking the government to discuss the developments with them and to be more transparent about the changes made.
The airlines with the largest number of flights at Jorge Chavez international are:
- LATAM, with 58% of weekly departures
- Sky Airline, with 13.5% of weekly departures
- Star Peru, with 6.3% of weekly departures
- Copa Airlines, with 3.8% of weekly departures
- Viva Peru, with 2.9% of weekly departures
Lima Airport is not the only Latin American hub to attract controversy in recent weeks. Mexico city’s Felipe Angeles Airport has faced heavy criticism; built after the government scrapped the old Texcoco airport project, costing them $1.8 billion.
What are your thoughts on the new airport terminal in Lima? Let us know in the comments below!
