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Peru: Tourists stranded at Cusco airport after Inti Raymi

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Approximately 200 tourists were stranded at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco this morning after LAN Peru canceled two flights that had been scheduled to fly to Lima.

According to a correspondent for Terra News, the majority of the tourists were Spanish, Italian, Colombian, Argentinean, Peruvian and from the United States.

It was reported that they were making their way back to Lima after having taken part in the Inti Raymi festival that was held in Cusco on Tuesday.

When asked why their flight had been canceled, several tourists affirmed that LAN had told them they could not depart because of bad weather.

Suspicion was raised, however, when a TACA flight took off and then two LAN flights departed for their destinations.

Tourists complained that LAN Peru did not want to refund their money and stated they would not be provided another flight until Sunday.

When questioned on the inconvenience, LAN representatives assured that passengers would be able to take a later flight this afternoon and another one tomorrow afternoon.

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# Elizabeth says :
26 June, 2008 [ 09:41 ]

Let's do not start this type of behavior as we are moving foward.  This is the type of things that must be avoided.  But let's keep in mind that the same happen to me when leaving from Chicago to New York and got stuck there with the same excuse of the weather, and the reality was that they had OVER BOOKED the flights.  Minister of transportatiion get involve and if we need to buy more planes let's do it

# Rachel says :
26 June, 2008 [ 13:25 ]

LAN used the excuse of bad weather so they would not be liable for accommodating 200 passengers. Airlines are doing more and more to alienate themselves from their responsibilities. Personally I think the government should start threatening airlines with more fines. Tourism is very important in Peru and these airlines are leaving bad impressions and creating bad memories, especially considering that these people paid a lot of money to receive very poor service.

# Laurie Alsentzer says :
13 July, 2008 [ 07:27 ]

My sons and a friend were supposed to fly from Cusco to Peurto Maldonado on Thursday, July 10.  The plane never landed in Cusco, yet another plane came and left within an hour. They were told the plane was cancelled due to weather, but a website proves there was no rain or wind at the time.  They are refusing to refund their money, although they could not put them on a plane that day or the next, forcing them to miss their entire jungle trip.  Any lawyers out there?

# LAN A holes says :
13 July, 2008 [ 15:44 ]

I used to be a Libertarian until I realized you have to have responsible government intervention with business to keep them honest. The ministry should be fining LAN until they stop screwing over people who have no other options.

When people come to Peru for a vacation they have very tight schedules and canceling a flight can throw off the entire vacation plans.