The Minister of Transport and Communications, Raúl Pérez Reyes, announced this week that the new Jorge Chávez International Airport will begin operations on Sunday, June 1. Now there are some questions. When will the trial run take place? What will happen with flights to the provinces?
To achieve this goal, a series of logistical exercises have been programmed in order the operations system of Peru's largest airport project are ready.
The trial run refers to a temporary period prior to the official operation to test the procedures and infrastructure correct working. This allows for the correction of issues that hinder the operation of a process, in this case to evaluate the optimal functioning of the new Lima terminal, which will be three times larger than the current one.
“Starting May 15, we will begin a trial period. With a limited number of airlines, some actions will be carried out from the new terminal to fine-tune its operation before it begins operations on June 1,” announced Ismael Sutta Soto, Vice Minister of Transportation.
He explained that the new airport has “nine infrastructures, including runway, airside, and landside,” completely different from the current ones, which must be inspected by the airlines operating in Lima and adapted to them.
Among the renovated spaces that will be tested starting May 15 are the fuel supply and airport connectivity areas, as well as aircraft takeoff and landing areas.
The deputy minister emphasized that on Sunday, June 1, the current Jorge Chávez Airport will be closed for 12 hours, for which numerous flights will be rescheduled.
"There will be a 12-hour period during which the current airport (entrance is via Elmer Faucett Avenue) will be closed (...) because we will enter a transition phase, moving all logistics and operations (to the new terminal)," he explained in an interview with TV Perú.
This will involve a major system test at all levels, including administrative ones. "The current airport will operate effectively until 11:59 p.m. on May 31. Then, we will enter a suspension period until noon on June 1."
And what will happen to the flights on June 1?
Ismael Sutta Soto commented that they are working with various airlines to reschedule flights scheduled for the early hours of Sunday, June 1, so passengers will not be affected because of the start of operations of the new Lima airport terminal.
“Flights will be rescheduled for those first 12 hours, during which there will be no operations at either the new or the old terminal. We are coordinating with the airlines to adjust schedules”, he said.
The Vice Minister explained that the regions with the highest demand for flights within the country are Pucallpa, Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Cusco, Arequipa, and other cities.
Also, said that the more intensive work will be done in these airports mentioned to reschedule flights. “Especially in Pucallpa, Cajamarca, and Ayacucho, because they do not have nighttime lighting”.
He announced that, in these cases, with the support of the Peruvian Airports and Commercial Aviation Corporation S.A. (Corpac), portable lights are going to be installed to enable flights at night, allowing the movement of thousands of people who need to leave or arrive at these locations, thereby reducing the impact of the temporary closure of the old airport.
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(END) KGR / MDV
Published: 5/2/2025