The Ministry of Transport and Communications announced on May 13 that it will invest more than $600 million to modernize the international airport in Iquitos. The announcement was made during an official event attended by Minister Aldo Martín Prieto Barrera, President José María Balcázar, Prime Minister Luis Arroyo Sánchez, and other state ministers at the airport terminal.
Officials said the project aims to strengthen the integration of the Amazon region into national and international economic networks by providing modern, safe, and higher-capacity airport infrastructure. The Ministry supports cultural and social wellbeing by improving national connectivity through enhanced transport infrastructure, according to the official website.
Prieto Barrera said that in its first phase, about $166 million will be used for rehabilitating the runway, taxiways, aircraft apron, and building a new perimeter fence. He explained these upgrades will improve operational safety at the airport. “The bidding process for these works is already underway,” Prieto Barrera said. “We expect to award contracts in the third quarter of 2026 with work beginning in the fourth quarter of that year.” In a second phase, he added that more than $443 million is planned for expanding the airport with a new passenger terminal, cargo terminal, extended runway, and additional modern infrastructure.
The Ministry reported that these investments are enabled under Addendum No. 11 signed with concessionaire Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP) in November 2025 to speed up project timelines. Authorities also said this project would improve air connectivity for Loreto while boosting tourism, trade, job creation in the region and establishing Iquitos as a strategic hub for Amazon development.
As part of his visit to Loreto region facilities during this event, Prieto Barrera also inspected ferry services connecting Iquitos with Santa Rosa as well as other towns along a 480-kilometer route—an effort aimed at strengthening river transportation options. He further reviewed construction progress on “El Cóndor de Amazonas,” described as Peru’s first smart aluminum vessel designed by SIMA Iquitos with technical support from his ministry; it is expected to deliver government services directly to citizens across remote communities.
The Ministry functions as part of Peru’s executive branch with authority over transport policy nationwide; it operates service centers such as MAC Lima Este and MAC Lima Sur to enhance public access; delivers safe and inclusive infrastructure supporting national integration; serves communities throughout Peru; all under ministerial guidance according to information provided by its official website.
