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Arequipa is a city in Peru that is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (IATA: AQP, ICAO: SPQU), also known as Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport or Arequipa Airport. The airport is located 8 kilometres or 20 minutes from the city centre and is the third-largest airport in Peru.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Rodríguez Ballón International Airport |
| Other names | Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon Airport, Arequipa Airport, AQP |
| Location | 8 km from the city centre of Arequipa, Peru |
| Year opened | 1979 |
| Owner | Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú (AAP), CORPAC S.A. |
| Number of storeys | 2 |
| Number of gates | 4 |
| Number of check-in desks | 9 |
| Number of passengers (2017) | 1,689,921 |
| Connections | Cusco, Tacna, Juliaca, Lima, Iquique, Santiago de Chile |
| Facilities | Handicraft stores, liquor stores, sweets, alpaca clothing, restaurants, VIP Lounge, Wi-Fi, cable TV, snacks, hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is named after Peruvian aviator Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón
Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, also known as Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon Airport or Arequipa Airport. It is located 8 kilometres or 20 minutes from the city centre. The airport is named after Peruvian aviator Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, who is famous for successfully crossing the Andes Mountains from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, in 1932.
Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón was an early Peruvian aviator. In 1932, he flew a "Spartan" plane he owned from Mendoza to Lima, gaining recognition and fame in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. During this journey, he landed in Arequipa, where he expressed his desire to found the Escuela Civil de Aviación del Perú (the Peruvian Civil Aviation School). He wanted to promote and boost Peruvian civil aviation.
Rodríguez Ballón was received in the Government Palace by the President of Peru, Luis Sánchez Cerro, on April 30, 1933. He expressed his intention to participate in the ongoing conflict with Colombia in northern Peru. At his own request, he was placed under the orders of the Peruvian Air Force at the Ancón Air Base. After rapid and effective military training, he obtained the rank of Sub-Alferez.
On October 21, 1932, Rodríguez Ballón's plane was spotted approaching Arequipa from Tacna. He first flew over the Porongoche airfield, then performed a pass over the city to the delight of those in attendance. After landing, he was greeted by his family and received a warm welcome from the authorities, journalists, and the public. The young aviator sent a message to his fellow countrymen, saying, ""I cordially greet my countrymen, reiterating the affection I have always had for my land." Two receptions were held in his honour that evening, one at the Municipality and the other at the Jockey Club.
Rodríguez Ballón was killed in a plane crash during the Colombia–Peru War.
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It is located 8km from the city centre
Arequipa's Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon Airport, also known as AQP, is located 8km from the city centre. The airport is named after Peruvian aviator Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, who is famous for crossing the Andes Mountains from Argentina to Chile in 1932. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in Peru, serving Arequipa, the capital of the Arequipa Region and the country's second-largest city. The airport is a popular gateway for tourists visiting the city of Arequipa, nearby ruins, and the Colca Canyon, the world's second-deepest canyon.
The airport is located in the Cerro Colorado district, northwest of the city. It features a two-storey terminal, with check-in desks, an arrivals hall, shops, food and drink options, a security checkpoint, and boarding gates all easily accessible. The airport offers a range of amenities, including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, snacks, and beverages. It also has a VIP lounge and handicraft, liquor, and clothing stores.
Arequipa Airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with a travel distance of 8km. This distance can be conveniently covered by taxi, with over 80 taxi drivers from three different associations offering their services at the airport. Car rental services, such as Hertz, are also available for those who prefer to drive themselves.
The airport is a significant transport hub, providing connections to other Peruvian destinations such as Cusco, Tacna, Juliaca, and Lima. It also offers international flights to Chile, including the cities of Iquique and Santiago de Chile. With over 2 million passengers in recent years, the airport has become an essential gateway for both domestic and international travellers visiting southern Peru.
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It is the third-largest airport in Peru
Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, also known as Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport or simply Arequipa Airport. It is the third-largest airport in Peru and is located 8 kilometres or 20 minutes from the city. The airport is named after Peruvian aviator Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, who is famous in Arequipa for crossing the Andes Mountains from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, in 1932. He was later killed in a plane crash during the Colombia–Peru War.
The airport is the third busiest in Peru and is the main gateway for tourists visiting Arequipa, the nearby ruins, and the Colca Canyon, the world's second-deepest canyon. The airport also provides access to the Cotahuasi Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. In 2017, the airport saw 1,689,921 passengers, and in the last year for which data is available, it received over 2 million passengers. The majority of these passengers were international tourists.
Arequipa Airport has a two-storey terminal. The check-in desks, LATAM Airlines information desk, and security checkpoint are located on the ground floor, while the boarding gates are on the first floor. The airport offers a range of amenities, including shops, food and drink options, and a VIP lounge. It also has air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The airport is owned by Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú (AAP), which has announced plans to expand and modernise the airport with a $26 million investment. The new expanded terminal is expected to be completed in January 2026 and will increase the airport's capacity to 2 million passengers per year. This expansion will also allow access to additional international destinations, including Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
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It is owned by Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú (AAP)
Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, also known as Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon Airport or simply Arequipa Airport. The airport is located 8 kilometres or 20 minutes from the city. It is the third-busiest airport in Peru and the third-largest by passenger numbers. It is named after Peruvian aviator Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón, who is famous for crossing the Andes Mountains from Argentina to Chile in 1932.
The airport is owned by Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú (AAP). In 2011, the airport was granted to AAP on a 25-year concession, along with five other airports in southern Peru. At the time, the terminal was operating at more than twice its planned capacity, and the infrastructure was obsolete and neglected. As part of the concession agreement, AAP was required to upgrade and expand the facilities. Over one million passengers were flying through the airport annually, and so the airport was expanded and remodelled.
In 2023, AAP announced another expansion and modernisation of the airport, with a planned investment of $26 million. The new expanded terminal is expected to be completed in January 2026 and will have a capacity of 2 million passengers per year. The airport expansion plan was accepted in 2024, and construction is due to begin that same year. The new terminal will allow access to other countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
Arequipa Airport has a range of facilities for passengers, including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, snacks, and drinks. The airport also has handicraft stores, liquor stores, and shops selling sweets and top-quality alpaca clothing from the region. There is also a VIP lounge, and restaurants serving local and international food.
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The airport has handicraft stores, liquor shops, and restaurants
Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, also known as Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon Airport or Arequipa Airport. It is located 8 kilometres or 20 minutes from the city centre. The airport is the third-largest in Peru and is one of the main air hubs in southern Peru. It is also the third busiest airport in the country, with over 1.6 million passengers as of 2017. The airport has a rich history, with the terminal operating at more than twice its planned capacity in 2011, prompting an expansion and remodelling project.
The airport's commercial offerings showcase the best of the region, featuring national and international brands. It is a great place to purchase souvenirs and experience the local culture through its unique products. The handicraft stores are an excellent representation of Arequipa's rich cultural heritage, with items crafted by local artisans.
The liquor shops at the airport offer a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including local spirits and international favourites. Passengers can enjoy a drink before their flight or purchase bottles as gifts or souvenirs. The restaurants at the airport provide a variety of dining options, ensuring that travellers can find something to suit their tastes and preferences. Whether it's a quick bite or a sit-down meal, the restaurants cater to different budgets and culinary preferences.
In addition to the shops and restaurants, the airport also has a well-organised transportation system. It has a fleet of over 80 taxi drivers from three different associations, providing transparent, honest, and punctual services. Car rental agencies, including the well-known Hertz, are also available at the airport, offering a wide range of vehicles to meet travellers' needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon Airport (AQP) is located 8 kilometres from the city centre.
Arequipa Airport is the third-largest airport in Peru and the third busiest in terms of passenger flow. As of 2017, the airport saw 1,689,921 passengers.
Large airlines such as Aeroperú, Faucett Perú and Nuevo Continente previously dominated the airport. However, they were declared bankrupt in the 1990s and 2000s.
The airport has handicraft stores, liquor stores, sweet shops, top-quality alpaca clothing stores, restaurants serving local and international food, and a VIP lounge.
You can travel to and from the airport by taxi or public transport. Car rental services are also available at the airport.
