Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru’s primary gateway, closed the first quarter of 2026 with solid growth in passenger and cargo transport, strengthening its strategic position as a regional hub and significantly improving its punctuality indicators and operational capacity.
Sustained Increase in Passenger Traffic
During the first three months of the year, the capital’s terminal moved 6.36 million passengers, representing a 2.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth was driven by the resilience of the domestic market and, notably, by the dynamism of international routes.
Air Traffic Breakdown:
- International Traffic: Reached 2.68 million passengers, reflecting a 4.2% increase.
- Peruvian Passengers Abroad: This segment grew by 8.1%, totaling 1.15 million departures.
- Transfer Passengers: With a 5.4% increase (487,891 people), Lima’s preference as a connecting node between the north and south of the continent is confirmed.
- Domestic Traffic: Remained stable with 3.68 million passengers, consolidating the strength of the Peruvian internal market.
Pamela Moreno, Operations Manager at Lima Airport Partners (LAP), highlighted that these results confirm a sustained growth trend and progress toward the consolidation of a more modern and efficient connection center.
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Surge in Air Cargo and Specialized Operations
Operational activity on the airside also recorded positive figures. In total, 20,872 aircraft movements were recorded, 8.6% more than in the first quarter of the previous year.
The diversification of activity is notably prominent:
- Freighters: Cargo operations increased by 21.3%.
- Executive Aviation: Recorded growth of 20.7%.
- Total Cargo Transport: 66,603 metric tons were moved (+6.6%).
Infrastructure Modernization and Punctuality
To manage this increase in demand, the airport has implemented direct improvements to the user experience. At the end of March, a new check-in island with 30 kiosks was put into service, raising the total to 123 service points for domestic and international flights. Of these, 120 are regular counters and 3 are specialized for oversized baggage.
In terms of efficiency, the On-Time Performance (OTP)—the level of punctuality—reached 86.21%, surpassing the 82.25% obtained in the first quarter of 2025.
Additionally, a tender has been launched to develop a new fixed-base operator (FBO) terminal for executive aviation at the old facilities on Faucett Avenue, seeking to diversify the range of airport services.
Expansion of the Connectivity Network
The appeal of the Peruvian market continues to capture the interest of global operators. Airlines such as United Airlines, Air France, Air Transat, LEVEL, Arajet, Flybondi, ATSA, and Sky Airline continue to expand their seat capacity and frequencies from Lima.
This route network not only benefits frequent flyers but also acts as a catalyst for national economic development, facilitating tourism and foreign trade.
The results of the first quarter of 2026 ratify Jorge Chávez International Airport as a competitive logistics and transportation platform in the region.
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