The weather conditions recorded in recent days, with heavy rain and dense fog, affected the operation of the Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón airport in Arequipa, generating flight cancellations and delays that harm hundreds of passengers.
In this regard, the manager of Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú, Alberto Huby, explained that the airport does not have a modern landing system, because of two key tools to operate safely in low visibility scenariosonly one is improved. This situation does not depend on the concessionaire, but on the Corporación Peruana de Aeropuertos y Aviación Comercial SA (Corpac).
These aids include approach lightswhich were damaged during the protests in 2022 and were only replaced last year; and the ILS system – Instrument Landing System (Instrument Landing System), which only operates in category 1, a level lower than the most advanced standards used in other airports in the world.
“We have needed to improve the ILS in two categories. I have information from Corpac, that it seems that they are going to release the tender for updating towards the end of this year (…) The fog that Arequipa has is heavy, it can be improved, but it will not necessarily ensure 100% of the landings”he explained.
AIRPORT PROJECTS
At the same time, he assured that the airport is preparing to execute two infrastructure projects; the expansion of the passenger terminalwhich will go from 6 thousand to 11 thousand square meters, with an investment of 35 million dollars, and the perimeter fence.
The first contemplates extension of check areas, security zones and improvements in passenger flows, in order to reduce waiting time and improve current terminal congestion. The works could begin this year, after the signing of an addendum to the concession contract and its execution will take a year and a half.
The construction of fence will be with an investment of 31 million dollars. The objective is to prevent intrusions, acts of vandalism and the entry of people or animals onto the track.
