1 Year at the New Jorge Chávez: A Game-Changer for Lima’s Airport

When the brand-new terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Callao officially opened on June 1, 2025, it marked the end of an era for Lima’s cramped, single-runway airport and ushered in a modern era for air travel in South America.

One year in, the $2.4 billion megaproject—which completely replaced the old passenger terminal for all commercial flights—has reshaped how travelers experience Peru. Spanning 270,000 square meters, the new facility is three times larger than the legacy terminal and features dual-runway operations, 46 boarding gates (up from 19), and a capacity designed to handle up to 40 million passengers annually.

Here is an honest breakdown of the pros, cons, and ongoing developments after 12 months of operations.

The Pros: What’s Working

1. World-Class Culinary Experience

Peru’s global reputation as a culinary capital is on full display. The terminal’s flagship gastronomic plaza, Perusuyo, features dining concepts curated by world-renowned Peruvian chefs—including Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura (Maido) and Gastón Acurio. Whether you are grabbing quick anticuchos or sitting down for ceviche between flights, airport food in Lima has transformed from a compromise into a highlight.

2. Streamlined Immigration & Security

The addition of E-gates and pre-registration tools (Migracheck) has significantly reduced queue times compared to the chaotic lines of the old terminal. Combined with centralized security zones on the 3rd floor and dedicated processing modules for families and seniors, getting through departure and arrival procedures is faster and far more organized.

3. Modern Layout & Cultural Design

Organized across clear functional levels (Ground for Arrivals, 2nd for Retail/Dining, 3rd for Departures, and 4th for VIP lounges), the terminal feels airy and spacious. Soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and curated Peruvian artwork representing the Coast, Andes, and Amazon give the terminal a distinct identity rather than a generic airport feel.

4. Better On-Time Performance

Operating with two simultaneous runways has eliminated the airborne holding patterns and taxiway congestion that plagued the old single-runway setup.

The Cons: The Growing Pains

1. Endless Walking Distances

Because the terminal is enormous and built to accommodate long-term expansion, walking from security to distant boarding gates—or from international arrivals to baggage claim—can easily take 15 to 20 minutes. The limited number of moving walkways installed during Phase 1 remains one of the most frequent passenger complaints.

2. Ground Access & Traffic Congestion

Moving the main airport entrance from Avenida Faucett to Avenida Morales Duárez required an adaptation period. While new temporary bridges and access routes were built, surrounding road infrastructure projects (like the elevated expressways and the Metro Line 2 connection) are still under construction. During peak hours (7–10 AM and 5–9 PM), road travel from Miraflores or San Isidro can take 80 to 100+ minutes.

3. Layover Costs

Services like luggage storage (Guardianía de Equipajes) and on-site sleeping pods (Sleep ‘n Fly) are convenient for long layovers, but pricing remains quite steep for budget travelers.

Planning Your Transit & Stay (Travelpayouts)

Whether you are connecting to Cusco, Arequipa, or flying home, booking your transport and stays ahead of time will save you hours of stress in Callao traffic:

• Flights & Transit: Compare competitive routes into Lima and lock in flexible connections using WayAway Flight Search & Cashback via Travelpayouts.

• Airport Transfers: Avoid unofficial taxi hassle outside Callao by pre-booking a verified driver or shuttle through Intui.travel Airport Transfers.

• Layover Hotels: If you have an overnight connection, search for nearby stay options in Miraflores or Callao on Booking.com.

• Travel Insurance: Protect your flight connections, luggage, and trip health against unexpected delays with EKTA Travel Insurance.

Essential Travel Gear for LIM (Amazon)

Navigating a massive, three-times-larger terminal and transitioning between flight climates requires a few luggage upgrades:

• Comfortable Footwear: You will be doing serious walking across the 270,000 m² layout. Invest in Cushioned Walking Shoes / Trail Runners on Amazon to prevent foot fatigue.

• Battery & Power Support: High-altitude connections and long layovers drain phone batteries fast. Carry a Heavy-Duty Portable Power Bank on Amazon.

• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Block out terminal announcements during layovers with Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds on Amazon.

Ongoing & Future Developments

• Airport City Expansion: Lima Airport Partners (LAP) is actively developing the surrounding logistics, hotel, and commercial zones to establish Jorge Chávez as a major business hub competing with Bogotá (BOG) and São Paulo (GRU).

• Mass Transit Connections: Construction continues on the dedicated station for Line 2 of the Lima Metro, which will eventually provide a direct rail connection to the airport.

• Road Infrastructure Improvements: The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) is finalizing elevated expressways and permanent bridge connections to permanently ease traffic bottlenecks along Morales Duárez and surrounding avenues.

Pro-Tips for Travelers

• Arrive Early: Allow 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international departures to account for potential traffic on the way to Callao and long walks inside the terminal.

• Wear Comfortable Shoes: Treat the walk through the terminal like a mini-hike.

• Eat Landside or Airside: Unlike the old airport where quality food was restricted to international duty-free, both domestic and international passengers now have access to high-end dining.

• Check Gate Assignments: Keep an eye on terminal monitors as gate changes happen frequently in a facility this large. You can also verify live flight statuses directly on the official Jorge Chávez International Airport Portal.