During its second session, members of the Air Connectivity Working Group, led by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), prioritized the issues that will guide their joint work agenda to strengthen air connectivity as a pillar of competitiveness for Peru's economy.
Among the prioritized issues are promoting new routes and markets, improving the infrastructure and operations of regional airports, optimizing airport costs, and coordinating responses to contingencies, with particular attention to preparedness for the El Niño phenomenon.
The agenda also includes monitoring international and regional connectivity, airport concessions, and investment projects at airports serving tourist destinations.
These issues will be addressed through coordination among the relevant agencies and private-sector stakeholders with the aim of promoting improvements in infrastructure, services, and the traveler experience.
Mincetur head Rogers Valencia highlighted that the continuity of this forum and the inclusion of more stakeholders will make it possible to advance a shared agenda to expand flight options, as well as consolidate an agile and integrated air transport network bringing the world closer to our destinations.
"The message has to be clear for the tourism sector as a whole, particularly for the aviation industry. As a State, we are committed to making the aviation industry a factor in the competitiveness of the Peruvian economy," Valencia pointed out.
Regarding El Niño phenomenon, he explained that Mincetur is working jointly with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC), the Peruvian Airports and Commercial Aviation Corporation (Corpac), airport operators, airlines, and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), which leads the target related to El Niño.
The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Tourist Protection Network, as well as the National Superintendence of Migrations and the National Superintendence of Customs are also involved.
Single Andean Sky
At this meeting, the minister reported that, as part of his participation in the 167th Special Session of the Commission of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), recently held in Quito, Ecuador, instructions were given to move forward with work toward the implementation of a Single Andean Sky.
This initiative will facilitate the mobility and connectivity of Andean citizens and strengthen regional air integration.
In turn, Deputy Tourism Minister Liz Chirinos reported that a continuous work schedule had been established for the Air Connectivity Working Group to follow up on agreements between the public and private sectors.
The session was chaired by Minister Rogers Valencia, together with Deputy Minister Chirinos.
It was also attended by representative associations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Association of International Air Transport Companies (AETAI), and representatives of global and national airlines.