ALTA regrets the lack of willingness to review the transfer TUUA and protect Peru’s air connectivity

The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) regrets the lack of willingness among the parties involved to move toward balanced solutions regarding the implementation of the transfer TUUA at Jorge Chávez International Airport. Despite the technical studies and concrete alternatives submitted by the industry, no measures have been adopted to safeguard Peru’s air connectivity or the sustainability of its main international hub.

In recent years, successive governments have recognized air connectivity as a key driver of economic development, tourism, and regional integration. However, decisions such as the transfer TUUA move in the opposite direction, weakening Peru’s competitiveness compared with other regional connection points.

ALTA, together with IATA, presented technical studies demonstrating the viability of more balanced alternatives that would allow the airport operator to benefit without affecting air connectivity or connecting traffic. These analyses are especially relevant given the sustained growth that Jorge Chávez International Airport has recorded over the past year.

The effects of the measure are already evident. Airlines based in Peru have been forced to cancel both new and established routes as a direct consequence of the transfer TUUA. To date, eight international route cancellations have been announced, resulting in a concrete loss of connectivity for the country. Each withdrawn route reduces passenger options, weakens connecting traffic, and impacts the sustainability of international operations.

Connecting traffic has historically played a critical role in the airport’s growth. Between 2009 and 2019, transfer passengers grew at an average annual rate of nearly 10%, helping position Lima as a key regional hub.

Sector estimates indicate that the transfer TUUA could reverse this trend. Starting from a base of approximately 9.2 million international passengers in 2025, reduced dynamism could lead to 21.7 million fewer international passengers by 2041 compared with a scenario without  TUUA.

International tourism has evolved in line with airport traffic. Between 2009 and 2019, international tourists arriving in Peru by air increased from 1.3 million to 2.64 million, an annual growth rate of roughly 7.4%. If connecting traffic slows, Peru could receive 5.3 million fewer international tourists by air in 2041. This would represent an estimated loss of USD 6.3 billion in tourism GDP and approximately 369,000 jobs not generated in that year. Cumulatively between 2025 and 2041, the impact on tourism activity could exceed USD 40 billion.

ALTA warns that this decision is directly affecting the country’s air connectivity, with clear implications for tourism, employment, and Peru’s economic growth. The association reiterates the urgent need to review the measure and reaffirms its readiness to provide technical evidence to help advance balanced solutions that protect passengers and safeguard the connectivity Peru and the region require.