Updated November 11, 2026, with this year’s announcements from Peru’s Ministry of Transport (MTC) and the national comptroller’s report.
Quick answer
Chinchero Airport is not open yet and has no official opening date. In June 2026, the MTC estimated that construction would finish in the second half of 2028 and that, after testing, the airport would start operating in 2029.
Until then, every flight to Cusco still lands at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (code CUZ), 5 km (3 miles) from the Plaza de Armas. If you’re traveling in 2026, 2027 or 2028, book your flight to Cusco as usual.
Where construction stands in November 2026
The project has been announced for decades, and construction has dragged on for more than seven years. These were the milestones in 2026:
- The MTC reports the project is about 40% complete and expects the airport to open in late 2027 or early 2028. The terminal will have 11 jet bridges.
- Spain’s Acciona wins the contract to build the control tower, worth about US$ 48 million. That same month, Peru’s comptroller reports that the terminal and perimeter fence were 27% behind schedule in March, and that the terminal contractor wants to finish in December 2028, two years later than agreed. The comptroller says the request has no basis.
- The MTC revises its timeline: construction would finish in the second half of 2028, with operational testing from late 2028 to early 2029. The runway contract was expected to be awarded in September 2026.
- The transport minister inspects the start of work on the control tower. The MTC says the landside works (parking, access roads, a cargo terminal and other buildings) will be awarded by the end of the year. No opening date was given.
- Start of operations, according to the MTC’s latest estimate. International flights would move first, then the rest, little by little.
No runway, no flights. The terminal and the tower are moving ahead, but the 4 km (2.5-mile) runway still hadn’t been contracted as of June. No date for it was announced during the November visit. That’s why 2029 is best treated as the most likely scenario, not a firm date.
What Chinchero Airport will be like
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chinchero district, Urubamba province, about 30 km (19 miles) northwest of Cusco, on the high plateau above the Sacred Valley. |
| Elevation | About 3,720 m (12,205 ft), higher than Cusco (3,400 m / 11,150 ft) and the current airport (3,310 m / 10,860 ft). |
| Runway | 4,000 m (13,123 ft), for larger planes than the ones that land in Cusco today. |
| Terminal | About 55,000 m² (592,000 sq ft) on two levels, with 11 jet bridges. |
| Capacity | 8 to 12 million passengers a year. The current airport handles just over 5 million. |
| Control tower | 37 m (121 ft) tall with seven levels, built by Acciona, with an investment of more than US$ 47.9 million. |
| Access | By road, via route PV-28, which links to the Pan-American Highway South. A rail link to the airport exists only on paper. |
What changes for your trip (and what doesn’t)
Until Chinchero receives flights, nothing changes. Four tips for the next few years:
- Book your flight to Cusco airport (CUZ). That’s Velasco Astete, 15 to 25 minutes from downtown. Here’s how to get from Cusco airport to the city center.
- Don’t plan your trip around the opening. The date has already slipped several times: 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026, late 2027 and now 2029 have all been mentioned. Don’t book nonrefundable hotels counting on Chinchero.
- New routes land at the current airport. For example, LATAM’s nonstop flight between Cusco and São Paulo, starting March 29, 2027, will use Velasco Astete.
- If you want to head straight to the Sacred Valley, you can already do that from the current airport: it’s 1.5 to 2 hours by road to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, and you’ll be sleeping at a lower elevation.
Once it opens: Chinchero vs. the current airport
| Feature | Velasco Astete (today) | Chinchero (from 2029) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the Plaza de Armas | 5 km (3 miles), 15 to 25 minutes | About 30 km (19 miles). Today, the town of Chinchero is about 40 to 45 minutes from Cusco by road |
| Distance to the Sacred Valley | 1.5 to 2 hours to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo | About 30 minutes downhill to the valley |
| Elevation | 3,310 m (10,860 ft) | About 3,720 m (12,205 ft) |
| Aircraft | Mid-size only, such as the A320 | 4 km runway for larger planes |
| Passengers per year | Just over 5 million | 8 to 12 million |
| International flights | A few routes, such as Bogotá and Santiago, Chile, plus São Paulo from 2027 | The MTC says it is talking with airlines about routes to North America, but none have been announced |
If you’re heading to the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu, Chinchero will be closer. If you’re staying in downtown Cusco, the ride will be longer than it is today. And since it sits higher, it makes sense to go down to the valley on your first day and leave Cusco for later. More tips in how to prevent altitude sickness in Cusco.
What about Velasco Astete? In 2020, the MTC said it would stop handling commercial flights once Chinchero opened. In June 2026, it explained that the move would happen in stages: international flights first, then everything else.
Chinchero today: the town you can visit now
The airport sits on the edge of an Andean town at 3,760 m (12,336 ft) that is a classic Sacred Valley stop. It has Inca terraces, a colonial church from 1607 built on Inca walls, and weaving centers where locals show how wool is spun and dyed with plants. Entry to the archaeological site is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico).
From Cusco it takes about 40 to 45 minutes. A shared van (colectivo) costs S/ 5 to 10. The easiest way to see it is on the Sacred Valley of the Incas tour: a full day through Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, with a guide and a buffet lunch in Urubamba, for US$ 60. More about the town in our Chinchero guide.
Why the airport is controversial
The government argues that the current airport is saturated and that Cusco needs a runway for larger planes and more routes. Criticism comes from several directions:
- Heritage. In 2019, UNESCO asked Peru to halt construction until a heritage impact study covered Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Qhapaq Ñan. In 2021, the World Monuments Fund asked for a delay to protect Chinchero’s cultural landscape.
- Water. The site sits on wetlands that feed Lake Piuray, which supplies nearly half of Cusco’s drinking water.
- Delays and debts. In 2026, the comptroller reported a budget shortfall of S/ 65 million and debts of almost US$ 900,000 to suppliers from Chinchero’s communities.
Landing in Cusco soon? We’ll pick you up at the airport
We’re a Cusco agency registered with MINCETUR and have been operating since 2003. All flights land at Velasco Astete today: we’ll wait for you at the exit with a sign with your name and take you to your hotel, the train station or straight to the Sacred Valley.
- Taxi and transfer rates in Cusco: from the airport to Pisac, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, US$ 50 by sedan and US$ 60 by minivan.
- Sacred Valley tour with Chinchero, US$ 60.
Frequently asked questions
When will Chinchero Airport open?
There is no official date. In June 2026, the MTC estimated that construction would finish in the second half of 2028, testing would run from late 2028 to early 2029, and the airport would start operating in 2029.
Are there flights to Chinchero Airport yet?
No. Every flight to Cusco lands at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (code CUZ), about 5 km (3 miles) from the Plaza de Armas.
Where is Chinchero Airport?
In Chinchero district, Urubamba province, about 30 km (19 miles) northwest of Cusco. It sits on a plateau at about 3,720 m (12,205 ft), above the Sacred Valley.
Will Velasco Astete Airport close?
The MTC plans to move flights to Chinchero in stages: international flights first, then the rest. Until Chinchero is operating, Velasco Astete works as usual.
How far will Chinchero Airport be from downtown Cusco?
About 30 km (19 miles). Today, the town of Chinchero is about 40 to 45 minutes from Cusco by road and about 30 minutes from the Sacred Valley.
Will there be nonstop flights from the US or Europe?
The MTC says it is talking with airlines about routes to North America, but none have been announced. Because of the high elevation, some experts doubt that long-haul planes could take off there fully loaded.
How many passengers will Chinchero Airport handle?
8 to 12 million passengers a year, according to the MTC. The current airport handles just over 5 million and is saturated.
Can I visit Chinchero?
Yes. The town has Inca terraces, a colonial church from 1607 and weaving centers, and entry is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket. You can visit on a Sacred Valley tour (US$ 60 with Tari Tours) or on your own by shared van from Cusco.
Sources
- Perú Construye: the MTC inspects the control tower and announces next milestones (November 2, 2026, in Spanish)
- Correo: the MTC expects construction to finish in the second half of 2028 (June 2, 2026, in Spanish)
- Infobae: the comptroller on delays and debts (May 11, 2026, in Spanish)
- Infobae: Acciona will build the control tower (May 2, 2026, in Spanish)
- Andina: Chinchero Airport reaches 40% progress (January 2026, in Spanish)
- Gestión: LATAM to fly Cusco–São Paulo from March 2027 (September 2026, in Spanish)
- Adventure.com: the airport, the Sacred Valley and Lake Piuray (July 2026)
- Wikipedia: Chinchero International Airport (history, elevation and runway)
- Tari Tours: Sacred Valley of the Incas tour
Photos in this guide are from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses; the author and license appear below each image.