On 1ᵉʳ June 2025, the new Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, will welcome its first passengers after 5 years of construction work. This modern complex aims to make the Peruvian capital the crossroads between South America, Asia and Europe.
A hub three times larger
Located in the province of Callao, some ten kilometres from the centre of the Peruvian capital, the new 165,000 square metre terminal, whose design pays homage to the hummingbird geoglyph on the Nazca lines, almost triples the surface area of the existing airport. Its annual capacity will increase from twenty-three to forty million passengers thanks to a four-storey passenger building, a second runway and an ultra-modern control tower. The ambition is clear: to put Lima on a par with Bogotá-El Dorado or São Paulo-Guarulhos.
A redesigned passenger path
Inside, 39 check-in islands, complemented by 90 self-service kiosks (120 by the end of 2025), will enable passengers to drop off their baggage or pay for excess baggage without going through the counter. Security checks will be equipped with the latest generation of 3D scanners: no need to take out your computer or liquids, and queues will move three to four times faster. After biometric immigration, served by nineteen e-gates, passengers have access to fifty-six boarding gates, VIP lounges and a redesigned duty-free area.
Gastronomy, culture and sustainability
The ‘airport city’ concept goes beyond mere retail space. Seventy-five spaces bring together banks, shops, bars and restaurants where visitors can sample a glimpse of the Limeña gastronomic scene with the help of chefs Mitsuharu Tsumura, of the famous Maido restaurant; Jaime Pesaque, chef of the Mayta restaurant, ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world; and José del Castillo, of the Isolina restaurant. In partnership with the Museo de Arte de Lima, emblematic works of art line the halls, immersing visitors in Peruvian culture from the moment they step off the plane. As for the environment, the infrastructure is aiming for LEED Silver certification, with photovoltaic panels on the roofs of the car parks, a grey water recovery system and a future direct connection to metro line 2.
A transition planned to the millimetre
To ensure a smooth start, a ‘white march’ will begin on 15 May. For a fortnight, traffic will be voluntarily reduced in order to test each procedure under real conditions. On the night of 31 May to 1ᵉʳ June, the old facilities will close for twelve hours. Flights will be rescheduled by the airlines, with the most popular domestic routes – Cusco, Arequipa, Pucallpa, Cajamarca and Ayacucho – receiving priority treatment.
Our article: Cusco: Peru’s Imperial City
Lima, the new continental link
With its new terminal, Jorge Chávez aims to become the preferred stopover for passengers travelling between South America, North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. As well as increasing capacity, the project embodies a new way of looking at the airport: a place where operational efficiency is combined with the enhancement of local culture and concrete environmental commitments. Lima is now positioned as a key player in global connectivity and a showcase for regional expertise.
