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Flights double at Peru's Jorge Chávez international airport in 3 years

In the last three years, Jorge Chávez international airport has doubled its flight frequencies carried out by national and international airlines, reported today Lima Airport Partners (LAP).

"During this period, flight frequencies have presented a spectacular growth; I would say there is an explosion in this industry", stated the general manager of LAP, Jaime Daly.

Daly stressed that Jorge Chávez airport had turned into the regional hub of South America since two foreign airlines, the Central American airline "Taca" and the Chilean "Lan", have established their operation centers in this air terminal.

"These airlines, which are well-known and have international prestige, have settled their operation centers here, and by doing this, Jorge Chávez airport has turned into the only one in the world where this happens", he indicated.

In addition, Daly highlighted that Taca has duplicated its flight frequencies, and next October the Brazilian TAM Airlines would start with a daily flight between the cities of Sao Paulo and Lima.

News source: ANDINA

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# THE PERUVIAN says :
20 July, 2008 [ 07:16 ]

Doubled in 3 years. Good, and I say this not to sound dissapointed - we can do far far better.

# Laurie Alsentzer says :
20 July, 2008 [ 10:08 ]

Unfortunately, LAN airlines provides poor service.  My sons, in Peru for the summer doing volunteer work, had their flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado cancelled at the last minute.  They later claimed it was weather (at the time they never mentioned weather, as other flights were able to land and take off), so they say it is nonrefundable.  Apparently they do this when they overbook flights.  My sons missed their vacation to the jungle as there were no other available flights.  Fly another airline!

# rico_cebiche says :
20 July, 2008 [ 11:28 ]

That is the result of the oustanding economic growth in Peru for the last years. You will hear that Peru is a "poor sitting in a gold bench" and it is true. History shows that the 70's were years of isolation from the west due to an embargo from USA to leftitst military ruling, then the 80's and half of the 90's were years with guerrilla nightmare, capitals left to Miami, or other heavens. 21st century did come with the country pacified and free of political instability, democracy has matured and now we have 28 years of democratic elected presidents, without counting of the self coup in 95' from disgraced Alberto Fujimori, now in prison under trial.
Maybe this history introduction was necessary to realize that Peru has grown mature, and now with free trade with USA the economy is ready to catapult, also the strategic location near the Pacific ream.
Jorge Chavez international airport needs an upgrade, the only runway avialable is not enough for the forseen trafic ahead. A new airport should be constructed, or the expansion of it is needed, that will require expropiate nearby lands and urban settlements.

# RedSox76 says :
21 July, 2008 [ 17:15 ]

God, where else in the world don't you have overbooking issues? or cancelled flights? That is the nature of the beast. One thing that I did appreciate with Lan and their booking online is that they do let you know what types of fares are non-refundable or not, so it is easy to see that when you buy the cheapest fare, it is always non-refundable.

I had a great experience with Lan for both my tourist trips to Cusco and Piura. Their airplanes were clean and in better condition than the Boeing 777 I flew from Miami to Lima.

One thing to note about Peru airports is the fact that security lines are a breeze compared to what I'm used to in Heathrow or any US airport! As soon as I came back to Mia on my way to Bos I could tell the difference. I also liked their passport control process, very organized. Kudos to Peru airports, I was very impressed

# Markus says :
22 July, 2008 [ 00:40 ]

The weather may of been fine in the Lima airport but the weather issue could of come from the destination.  Flying with LAN is much better then any of the U.S. domestic airlines.  Only problem I had with LAN is their ticket agents in miraflores are painfully slow.  I just hope all the extra flights will mean lower flight costs.

# Splaktar says :
22 July, 2008 [ 09:27 ]

LAN is by far the best airline in Peru.  Yes, they have problems.  Yes, flights are late or get canceled in the mountains and jungle.  Often it is due to the weather (specially in the afternoon).  But LAN doens't crash planes into the ground.  Peruvian aviation has a long history of plane crashes and other incidents.  LAN is the first airline to really break this bad trend.

Aerocondor, another option, has had a numbre of incidents over the last few years and most of them all resolved around lack of maintenance and upkeep of their aircraft.

Other companies have come and tried to compete, but they skimp and bend the laws and regulations.  Then end up being closed down due to numerous violations.

Better to miss a flight or be late than to crash and burn or fly across the country to find that the landing gear don't work, so you have to fly back to Lima.