LATAM Airlines Peru Suspends Lima–Orlando Route Over New Airport Fee, Impacting International Travel

Published on October 23, 2025

LATAM Airlines Peru has made the difficult decision to suspend its planned Lima–Orlando route, set to begin on October 26, 2025, following the introduction of a new Unified Airport Usage Fee (TUUA) at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. This decision has significant implications for international travel connections between Peru, the United States, and other regions. The new fee, which will affect passengers with international connections transiting through Lima, has raised concerns about the competitiveness of Lima as a key transit hub in Latin America. As travelers seek cost-effective ways to explore South America, this change is set to impact the airline and hospitality industries in Peru, altering the travel landscape and potentially reshaping the future of tourism in this culturally rich and diverse country.

LATAM Airlines Peru Suspends Lima-Orlando Route Over New Airport Fee Impacting International Travel

LATAM Airlines Peru announced the suspension of the newly anticipated Lima-Orlando route, which was set to launch on October 26, 2025. The route suspension is a result of the impact of a Unified Airport Usage Fee (TUUA) at Jorge Chavez International Airport. This decision raised concerns on the effect of the new fee on international connectivity for travel and the impact on the tourism sector for the country. Starting October 27, 2025, a new fee will be implemented which increases the cost of transit for international passengers connecting through Lima by $12.67. The increased cost has led to operational adjustments for airlines and caused concerns for travel and hospitality stakeholders to assess the impact on tourism in Peru.

LATAM Airlines Peru Halts Lima–Orlando Route Due to New Airport Fee

LATAM Airlines Peru, one of the largest airlines in South America, stated the border routes on the Lima–Orlando axis will get suspended as the new TUUA fee will “negatively impact the profitability of the route”; which was supposed to open on October 26 2025. TUUA fee decreases the competitive nature of Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport as a regional transit hub in the Americas compared to other Latin American airports, specifically Bogotá and Panama City, which do not impose similar fees. LATAM noted that nearly 50% of the passengers booked on the Lima–Orlando route would have been international connecting traffic, emphasizing the fee’s impact on international transit.

The fees for those internationally connecting in Lima impact primarily in the value of the airfare in Lima and sales in the region. For LATAM Airlines and travel agencies, the cost impact concerns the number of international travelers that will cross Lima and, therefore, will impact the region’s importance. LATAM Airlines expresses that the airfare increases could lead to a drop in Lima’s relevance because, presently, it is a significant hub for nearby international travel to and from North American, South American countries, and Europe.

These increases in costs also impact travelers, specifically tourists who have connecting flights to Lima. LATAM Airlines Colorado recently announced that they will be stopping flights to Lima, and this will worsen travel for those who expect to be using Lima to travel to and from the United States. Travelers also have the new international traveler airport fees, which will impact the total cost of travel for those visiting and planning to travel to Peru for key cultural attractions, tourist historical sites, and Peru’s historical landscapes.

U.S. tourists used to view Lima as a convenient entry point to Peru’s top attractions, including Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon rainforest. However, Lima layover tourists may now change plans and seek alternate routes—potentially impacting airline schedules as well as local hospitality. Peru’s airline and hospitality (hotels, restaurants, and tour operators) sectors may also experience a drop in international visitors.

Travel dynamic shifts, however, may bring opportunities to Peru’s other airports, like those in Cusco and Arequipa. With airlines re-routing flights away from Lima, these other airports may see an increase in visitors (particularly those traveling to Machu Picchu) that supports the tourism supply chain.

The Increasing Importance of Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima and The New TUUA Fee

Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima has historically been one of the key airports in South America. Lima is the only place in Peru and the South America region that has direct flights to North America and Europe. With the introduction of the TUUA fee, the airport is starting to receive criticism to determine if it can maintain the position of the primary hub in the region for international flights.

The TUUA fee is expected to cover most of the costs associated with enhancing the airport facilities. Critics argue that the introduction of the cost will deter the advancement of the tourism industry in Peru, and it would increase the cost of traveling. Airports that are comparable such as Tocumen International Airport in Panama City and El Dorado International Airport in Bogota have been able to increase their transit facilities with their costs, and unlike Jorge Chávez, have not added costs to international travelers. The added cost in Lima will cause travelers to change their destination in order to visit Peru.

Those intending to visit Peru to appreciate its remarkable scenery and historical monuments should rethink their travel plans. Prospective travelers to Peru considering connecting transit flights through Lima, may prefer alternative connections via other Latin American transit hubs or even direct flights from their countries.

LATAM Airlines Peru and the Larger Impact on Airline Routes in Peru
LATAM Airlines Peru and other carriers have begun to reconsider their operational route networks in response to the new TUUA operational fees. Avianca, Sky Airline, and Aeromexico are other carriers with operational flights to and from Lima and are experiencing the consequences of increased operational costs from the new fee structure. As an example of this price imbalance caused by operational costs, Sky Airline canceled its Lima–Cancún route. Similarly adjusted operational schedules with reductions in flight frequency on intercontinental routes have been issued by other carriers. These modifications stem from new operational cost assumptions assigned for use of Lima, which jeopardizes the profitability of those routes.

Those target adjustments made by airlines to reroute clients and limit charges during layovers indicates lower volumes of international flights are inevitable for Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. The outcomes of these adjustments will likely affect international and domestic travelers alike.

Reduced connectivity opens routings to travelers and is likely to motivate travelers to choose Colombia, and Ecuador, who offer easily accessible point flights. These neighboring countries are likely to attract travelers who are interested in less famous and less accessible places that are currently featured on travelers’ bucket lists. These countries are likely to attract travelers who are interested in less famous and less accessible places that are currently featured on travelers’ bucket lists, such as Colombia, Argentina, and Ecuador.

The Effects on the Hospitality Sector

Peru’s new TUUA fee will certainly affect the tourism array of offer, and the impact will also spill over to the hospitality industry—primarily hotels in Lima and also other service provision businesses. The ripple effect whereby these businesses face the consequences first is always the same and predictable.

Hotels in Lima, like the JW Marriott Lima and the Hilton Lima Miraflores, have a long-standing reliance on international travelers to fill their rooms. However, with LATAM Airlines Peru suspending its Lima–Orlando route, we will see a consequent drop in the number of U.S. tourists arriving via Lima. Further, U.S. tourists may also bypass Lima altogether, instead opting to visit other Peruvian destinations with guest accommodation, like the Belmond Hotel and the Palace of the Inca in Cusco, which in turn may see a decrease in international visitors as well. This is mainly due the increased costs associated with a Lima visit meant to be a layover destination.

In the Peru hospitality sector, the most immediate response to the TUUA fee should be preparedness to alter pricing. This sector may wait out a hard short-term cycle, but ultimately will benefit from the screen or window capture, possibly with a revised stay, to incentivize travelers with highly latent demand to visit. Peru is, after all, an in-demand destination, and many travelers are willing to redistributing their vacation and complementary spending from other destinations that are lower on their lis.

Travel Tips for Tourists: Traveling to Lima and Associated Costs

Planning a trip to Peru? Below are some tips to understand the changes to Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport:

1. Airline Policy Review: Confirm whether the TUUA fee is included in your ticket price. Some airlines incorporate this cost, while others require passengers to pay it at the airport or online before departure.
2. Additional Costs: If you have a layover in Lima, prepare for additional costs. Although it is a small fee, it may change the overall cost of your trip.
3. Examining Other Options: If you are traveling from the US or other international destinations, you may want to consider alternative regional hubs such as Panama City or Bogotá. These airports may provide cheaper connections to Peru and will avoid the TUUA fee.
4. rebooking/refund. If your flight has a new fee attached to it or if you are unhappy with your current options, inquire with your airline about rebooking or refund options. EG: LATAM Airlines Peru is providing their passengers with full refunds if they choose to cancel their flights.

LATAM Airlines Peru has suspended its Lima–Orlando route due to a new airport fee at Jorge Chávez International Airport. This change is expected to impact international travel connections and the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Peru Turismo en el Futuro

The new TUUA fee which took effect last month is no doubt the start of a more extensive discussion regarding travel evolution in Peru. With LATAM Airlines Peru also suspending flights from Lima to Orlando, travel plans to Peru need some monitoring adjustments. Less international visits, new travelers should be aware of increased route adjustments, travel and lodging options to minimize the impact of the tourist gap. The good news for tourism is the temperatures are still pleasant. Peru should work to market their natural and cultural every reasoning to travel to Peru to work keeping the international travelers.