Will International Flights to Peru resume in 2021 or not? When do Peru International Flights Open? Will only humanitarian repatriation flights be available? This is what you should know.
The resumption of International Flights to Peru in 2021 continues to be one of the great unknowns amid the state of emergency decreed in Peru.
When do International Flights to Peru open?
On July 30, Rocío Barrios, head of the Mincetur, declared to the press that international flights could restart from the end of this year or the beginning of 2021. Barrios indicated that this decision will depend on the reports of the Ministry of Health (Minsa ) on the progress of the pandemic in our country, as well as coordination with the MTC and the Foreign Ministry.
The former head of the MTC, Carlos Lozada, indicated that it was more likely that this activity would resume in the months of September and October. In turn, the Association of International Air Transport Companies (AETAI), proposed to operate again during August, based on the experience of humanitarian and repatriation flights that have been carried out.
Why did domestic flights return and not international flights to Peru in 2021?
As of July 15, domestic flights were resumed. In its first week of operation, more than 26,000 passengers were transferred, according to figures from the Jorge Chávez airport. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism indicated that it was seeking to promote internal tourism, but this proposal was diminished after the extension of the quarantine focused on different regions of the country.
Latam indicated that it is covering destinations such as Tumbes, Piura, Talara, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Iquitos, Lima and Pucallpa. Meanwhile, Viva Air reported that it continues with its routes to Lima, Piura, Chiclayo and Iquitos.
What does the MTC think about resuming international flights?
The Minister of Transport and Communications (MTC), Carlos Estremadoyro, remarked that “this is not the right time” for airlines to resume the operation of international flights, since the spread of COVID-19 has not been controlled.
In addition, the head of the MTC, said that the restart of international flights would not have an economic benefit, since for now people do not think to travel for tourism issues. “Nobody anywhere in the world wants to travel for leisure, that will only happen in the middle of next year. That gives us time to prepare ourselves from a health point of view, ”he explained.
When do International Humanitarian Flights to Peru open?
The operator Lima Airport Partners (LAP) reported that as of August 18, the repatriation flights will be made through the Jorge Chávez International Airport and no longer from the Air Group No. 8 of the Peruvian Air Force.
Through a statement, it was detailed that these flights are managed by the Peruvian Chancellery and approved by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. These are the protocols that must be followed according to the Ministry of Health (Minsa):
Procedures for the passenger who needs to leave the country:
Only those passengers who do not present symptoms related to COVID-19 and who are not serving the isolation period may travel.
Passengers who are detected, before boarding, with signs or symptoms compatible with COVID-19 will be diagnosed as suspected cases and will not be able to travel.
To enter the Jorge Chávez Airport and transfer to the interior of the air terminal, all passengers must use a mask, perform hand disinfection and keep the required distance.
Procedures for the passenger who needs to enter the country:
Before leaving the place of origin, the passenger must complete the online form “Electronic Affidavit of Traveler’s Health and Commitment to Isolate or Quarantine the Traveler”, which can be found on the website of the National Superintendency of Migration, within 72 hours of the trip.
The traveler who presents any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 should not make the flight, or go to the airport of the place of departure. Likewise, if they present any symptoms associated with the coronavirus, after having filled out the Affidavit, the passenger should not make the trip.
During boarding or disembarking, the passenger must use a mask, maintain constant hand hygiene and keep the required physical distance.
Upon disembarkation at Jorge Chávez Airport, passengers must go through the temperature measurement chamber at the air terminal, which will be monitored by health personnel.
During arrival at Jorge Chávez Airport, travelers who do not show signs related to COVID-19 must comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine at their home or accommodation of choice. Meanwhile, those that do present symptoms will be evaluated by the International Air Health area in the COVID-19 module, in charge of the Minsa.
