President Martín Vizcarra has announced that Peru is to build a new airport in the Amazonas region, in the north of the country, bordering Ecuador.
Vizcarra made the announcement when inaugurating the region’s new La Jalca-Nueva Esperanza highway. During his speech, he told the audience that the region has great potential in terms of tourism and agriculture, and requires infrastructure that can promote both.
He added, “We have to prioritize the construction of a regional airport for Amazonas. In September, a high-level commission from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will come to the region with Corpac [Peruvian Corporation of Commercial Airports and Aviation] technicians to evaluate the various alternatives.”
According to Vizcarra, one option is to use the existing Chachapoyas Airport, although it would require expansion in order to accommodate large aircraft.
Vizcarra also stressed that a larger airport would not only boost tourism, but would also improve the basic services offered by the provinces of Amazonas to the local people. He concluded by announcing plans to meet the regional governor and mayors to discuss the airport project.
Peru has recently attracted global criticism for its plans to build an international airport at Chinchero, which experts say may threaten Machu Picchu, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites.
Photo courtesy of the Presidency of Peru