New Terminal at Lima Airport Opens with Trial Phase

Lima’s gleaming new airport terminal is officially in business — but the journey to smooth operations is just getting off the ground.

The revamped Jorge Chávez International Airport welcomed its first international flight last Thursday night, marking the launch of a phased “marcha blanca” (white march) designed to test all systems before a full transition scheduled for June 1.

The inaugural Aerolíneas Argentinas flight from Buenos Aires landed at 8:00 p.m. on May 15, 2025, carrying 180 passengers, according to El Comercio.

“We are starting a process of refinement so that we arrive on June 1 in optimal condition,” said César Sandoval, Peru’s Minister of Transportation and Communications. Sandoval oversaw the opening ceremony with other high-ranking officials, including Economy Minister Raúl Pérez Reyes and Tourism Minister Úrsula León.

A World Class Airport

The new terminal is three times larger than the existing airport, measuring 2,906,256 square feet (270,000 square meters). Plans call for phasing out the old airport and converting it into a mega shopping center.

The new Jorge Chavez International Airport is located on Avenida Morales Duárez in Callao, Peru.

Entry to the airport is exclusively by vehicle – there is no pedestrian access. This is because the distance from the entry bridges to the terminal is approximately 1.24 miles (2 km), making it impractical to walk with luggage.

Transportation options to the airport include public transportation buses, the private Lima Airport Express shuttles, and private vehicles.

The new terminal has four floors of service areas, compared to only two floors in the existing terminal.

Glitches Amid the Fanfare

The first passenger to emerge from the international arrivals area, 18-year-old Gonzalo Bueno of Argentina, received Peruvian chocolates and called the terminal “very modern.”

“I’m very happy to be here,” he told reporters.

But several travelers and waiting family members voiced confusion and frustration about access routes, lack of signage, and operational kinks.

“There were no signs, and the driver didn’t know where to drop me off,” said an elderly woman waiting for her granddaughter arriving from Italy, as reported by Infobae. She added, “It’s been frustrating. I still haven’t seen her, even though she landed over an hour ago. There were only three immigration counters open.”

Reporters and visitors alike struggled to find the proper lanes along Morales Duárez Avenue — now the only entry to the terminal. LAP’s signage directing vehicles to short-term and long-term parking was unclear, resulting in many vehicles taking wrong turns and having to double back.

Trial Phase Underway

Five airlines — Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air Europa, Volaris, Arajet, and Wingo — are participating in the test phase, with an estimated six to ten flights per day. “This trial period will help fine-tune every process and ensure everything runs efficiently,” said Pérez Reyes. “When passengers arrive, they’ll find automated systems and faster procedures.”

In addition to arrivals from Buenos Aires, flights from Madrid, Mexico City, Punta Cana, and Bogotá are scheduled over the coming days, according to Lima Airport Partners (LAP).

The new terminal’s access route, Morales Duárez Avenue, was recently renovated at a cost of more than 40 million soles (about $10.7 million USD), featuring new pavement, smart traffic lights and signage. The road is now the exclusive gateway for passengers arriving by taxi or private vehicle.

New Five-Star Hotel at Jorge Chavez International Airport

Hotel Wyndham Costa del Sol has built a five-star hotel with with 249 rooms in the new terminal and will be ready to receive guests on June 1. Another three-star hotel with 338 rooms is scheduled to open in 2027.

Full Launch Planned for June

The airport operator plans a full transition from the old terminal to the new one on June 1. Airport operations will be paused for 12 hours — from midnight to noon — to complete the switchover. Officials said the downtime mirrors global standards for airport transitions.

The terminal is eventually expected to handle 30 million passengers annually. But on opening day, the experience was uneven. While the infrastructure drew praise, limited pedestrian access and inconsistent traffic flow left room for improvement.

“This is only the beginning,” Sandoval said. “With each flight, we get closer to the airport that Peru deserves”

New Jorge Chavez International Airport Terminal Layout

• The first floor of the new Jorge Chávez terminal is dedicated to the arrivals experience, designed for efficient baggage retrieval and seamless connections with ground transportation and pickups.
• The second floor functions as the terminal’s commercial hub. It connects passengers to other levels and offers a wide range of food and beverage options, perfect for layovers or pre-flight meals.
• The third floor is the heart of the departure process, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies and cultural design elements. Passengers check in, go through security, and head to their gates here.
• Fourth Floor: Exclusive Lounge Experience: Travelers seeking a premium experience can relax on the top level of the terminal, where VIP lounges offer enhanced services and privacy.

Upon entering the third floor, visitors are greeted by “Perú Suyo,” a gastronomic area that celebrates Peruvian culture and food offerings.

The airport features modernized check-in systems with 90 self-check-in modules and self-service baggage drop areas currently in operation, with plans to expand to 120 modules by the end of the year.

The security screening area uses modern tomography equipment that provides 360-degree 3D imaging of carry-on luggage, eliminating the need to remove electronic devices or liquids during the screening process.

Getting around the new airport in Lima

Officials say digital information displays and interactive maps will be up and running by June 1 to help passengers navigate the larger terminal and track flight information.

The airport will also offer a WhatsApp chatbot service that can send flight alerts directly to passengers.

Also, entry to secure areas is streamlined with automated boarding pass scanners and the airport features 13 security inspection lines for hand luggage.

The international departures area includes self-service immigration kiosks (e-gates) and pre-registration modules to make getting through immigration quicker and easier.

The new airport also houses a historic Bleriot XI aircraft (the model Jorge Chavez Dartnell flew), which was relocated from the old terminal.

The duty-free area features an open concept that connects with other commercial shops, and unlike the previous airport, duty-free shopping will now be available for both international AND domestic flights.

The terminal showcases Peruvian culture through shops like “Rumbo Perú” selling Peruvian crafts and products, and “Nación Sazón” featuring Peruvian gastronomy.

Getting through immigration at the new Jorge Chavez International Airport

Peruvian immigration officials are conducting technical and operational tests at the new Jorge Chávez International Airport terminal. So far, they have processed the entry and exit of more than 6,000 international passengers. Processing times have reportedly been shorter than at the current terminal — a promising sign for the full rollout of services.

Besides a bank of conventional immigration agent counters, they plan to activate 19 electronic gates (e-gates) for pre-registered Peruvian citizens and resident foreigners. These gates, located in entry and exit areas, are designed to streamline processing.

To use the e-gates, Peruvian and legal foreign resident travelers will have to register via Migracheck — an online platform for pre-validating electronic passports and submitting flight details up to 48 hours in advance. The system automatically cross-checks information with Interpol, national warrant databases, and Pacific Alliance records to uphold security standards.

During this trial run over the weekend, officials say one Peruvian citizen wanted by authorities was flagged during entry procedures upon arrival from the Dominican Republic and handed over to the National Police.

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