Airlines operating out of Peru’s largest airport are canceling international routes because of a new transfer fee, further tarnishing the botched rollout of a recently completed terminal in the capital, Lima.
Chile-based carriers Latam Airlines Group SA and Sky Airline SA plan to scrap at least eight international destinations from the Jorge Chávez International Airport, out of a total of around 67 destinations currently served.
The two airlines represented 55% of all passengers traveling abroad from Peru as of June, according to the Transport Ministry.
Latam and Sky primarily blame a $12 passengertransfer fee, which took effect in December following the inauguration of a new $2 billion airport in Lima that replaced crowded facilities, but is plagued by poor transportation access. The fee is collected by the airport’s concessionaire, Lima Airport Partners, whose main shareholder is Germany’s Fraport AG.
For airlines, the new levy is “a slap in the face,” said Peter Cerda, regional vice president at the International Air Transport Association, which represents the airline industry. “Unfortunately, Lima Airport Partners is more focused on shortterm financial gains than it is on alternatives that will bring social and economic benefits to Peru.”
Cerda said the industry is looking to challenge the fee through arbitration or in court. The fee was included as part of an amendment to the concession contract between Peru and Lima Airport Partners.
IATA contends that the fee will cut Lima’s estimated annual growth in passenger traffic over the next 15 years to just 3% from a previous estimate of 9%.
“By doing this, you’re actually going to outprice yourself compared to others hubs,” Cerda said.
Other airports in Latin America such as those in Bogotá and Panama City do not charge fees for passengers transferring to other flights, while São Paulo charges one below $3, he added…
