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Lima’s New Jorge Chávez Airport Officially Begins Operations

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Lima has just marked a turning point in the history of Latin American aviation. This Sunday, the new Jorge Chávez International Airport welcomed its first commercial flight. The event not only signified the official inauguration of the new terminal but also the permanent closure of the old airport, which had been in operation for six decades.

First Flight: Iberia Lands at a Fully Renovated Airport

After 12 hours without any air operations in the Peruvian capital, the new Jorge Chávez opened its doors with a historic landing. The Iberia aircraft, arriving from Madrid, marked the beginning of operations at the new terminal, where passengers were the first to experience the new infrastructure designed to offer greater efficiency, comfort, and speed.

In the early hours prior to the opening, over 50 aircraft were relocated from the old terminal to the new one in preparation for a day projected to handle 250 domestic and international flights. Among the first departures was LATAM Flight 2482 bound for Atlanta, the first international flight to take off from the new facilities.

Farewell to the Old Jorge Chávez: 60 Years of Aviation History

The old Lima airport officially closed its doors at 1:00 AM local time, concluding 60 years of service during which it handled nearly 400 million passengers. Inaugurated in 1965, the historic terminal recorded approximately four million flight operations, according to data from the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).

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The last flights to depart were LPE2478 to Los Angeles and LAN523 to Santiago de Chile. The definitive closure was sealed with the arrival of Flight LPE2233 from Iquitos and a symbolic act: the progressive dimming of the old terminal’s lights.

The New Jorge Chávez: An Investment for the Future

President Dina Boluarte led the ceremonial inauguration this past Friday, emphasizing that this “monumental project” represents a new era of modernity for the country. The construction of the new airport involved an investment of approximately $2.4 billion and now serves as the exclusive hub for all domestic and international flights in the Peruvian capital.

“Peru soars with the strength of its people,” Boluarte stated, underscoring the new airport’s strategic impact on air connectivity and economic development.

Successful Tests and Operational Deployment

Before its official opening, the new terminal underwent a testing phase between May 15 and the inauguration day, during which 116 international flights—58 arrivals and 58 departures—were operated, transporting 22,764 passengers to and from cities such as Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and Madrid.

With these tests successfully completed, Jorge Chávez begins operations at full capacity, positioning itself as a key regional hub in South America and a modern, efficient gateway for millions of travelers.

With this change, Lima reaffirms its role as a strategic connectivity hub in the region. For passengers and airlines, the new Jorge Chávez represents a new era in Peruvian aviation.

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