The 27 October Lima Airport startá to charge an additional fee to passengers in connectionón international, ¿Lima puts her foot down?
The Jorge Ch International Airportáturn on Lima has unleashed a new controversy críaviation ethicsón in sudamérica: the collection of the fee ÚAirport Use Only (ANCESTORS) to passengers in connectionón. Líaerosol deresícompanies have warned that this measure, driven by LAP dealer need (Lima Airport Partners) to recover the investmentón, couldíto skyrocket costs and divert the flow of passengers towards hubs competitors like Bogotaá and Panamá.
In a recent panel during the ALTA Forum, the CEOs of SKY, JetSMART, Cup, Avianca and LATAM, along with other executives in the sectoréinmate and the LAP manager, They presented the different positions on this policyíethics that, in your opinion, has a «everyoneón myopic» of regional development.
Lima airport and TUAA collection
The aerosolsílines are clear: If the TUAA is charged to passengers in transitánsito, the hub of Lima leaveá to be attractive and will weará the development of the sector at risk. This in the context that the great majorityía of travelers are susceptible to price variations and a mílittle difference, can be key between choosing one or another connectionón.
- PéLoss of Potential: The executives regretted that Lima, which was seen as a «potential great hub» in the regionón, now be «less competitive» than other airports in the area. This reflectionón takes to the airíareas to question whether it is justified to maintain or increase its operationón in the Peruvian capital.
- Desvíone of Tráfico: It stood outó that competitors like the Panam hubá They do not charge a fee for the connectionóno and, in fact, Eastán connected to twice as many cities (100) that Lima (50). Other airports like Bogotá spaghettién offer connections más short and efficient, attracting customers.
- The Passenger Pays the Cost: How ifñaló Stuart Ortiz (JetSMART), the ultra low cost model is based on price sensitivity. With rates that can be $20, the passenger ends up paying between 60% and the 70% of the total cost in taxes and fees. Increase this percentage due to the connectionón limits the ability to fly for the middle class and distortsúto the value proposition.
- Affectsón to the Peruvian Passenger: Although the fee will not be paidíeven directly the Peruvians, The managers argue that if the cost of going through Lima increases, hornbeamá less flight offer. As there is less supply, tickets for Peruvians will become more expensiveán, affecting the entire ecosystem.
- Stopover at Risk: The possibility of implementing a program of «stopover» (allow connecting passengersón stay a díto in Lima for sightseeing) becomes unviable if transfer fee is charged.
For an example of this problemáethics, so much LATAM and SKY have announced the closure of flights to Orlando, Havana and Delún respectively.
LAP defends itself from the contractual point of view
The LAP representative showedó empático with the concerns of the sector, but emphasizeó the contractual reality and the need to recover the gigantic investmentón in the new infrastructure. The NAJC was builtó with funds 100% private and the TUAA charge for connections isá stipulated m agoás de 14 años in the contract and that cácalculation is part of the business plan, which for the sake of stability juríinvestment adviceón, must be fulfilled. Among the highlights by Juan Joséé Psalmón, LAP CEO stands out:
- Contract and Obligationón: The LAP manager was clear: the úonly way they have to recover the investmentón is throughés of the fees charged, which isán fixed by a methodologyíapproved by the regulator. The 50% of these fees goes directly to the State.
- Modelo Single-Till: The dealership operates under a model «Single-Till», where business income (stores, restaurants, etc.) they subsidize aero incomeátools for fixingón tariff, demonstrating an effort to maintain competitiveness.
- Open Solutions: LAP has been in constant conversationón with the State, seeking out «alternatives» to lessen the cost impact without affecting the contract. The need has been raised to resolve this issue in a manner «intelligent» so as not to harm what belongs to them by right: the recoveryón of your investmentón.
- Call to Internal Connectivity: The LAP manager took advantageó for ifñpoint out that not all the problems lie in the rates, but alsoén in the need to liberalize cabotage so that theáI'm giftéstico does not necessarily have to go through Lima, boosting pa connectivityís.
The charge is a reality and it is already announced throughout the terminal of the Jorge Cháturn, which will beá straight out of concernón for passengers, those with card, internet and a cóI say QR dutyán pay the TUAA, of not doing it, I won't be able toán board your connecting flightón.
Claro isá, couldás fly through Lima on two separate international flights, así you will avoid this new rate, but it's not the idea, since the user experience declinesá drástically.
The debate on the TUAA in connectionón focuses on two visions: LAP's need to honor a contract and the visión strataéAerosol logicíneas from driving aviationón a través of low prices and simplificationóregulatory.
I finished itón of the sector is a call to the authorities to have a visionón long-term that prioritizes the development of regional connectivity and the tourism industry, instead of polípúwars that, although they seek an immediate benefit, impose an obstacle to the growth of a key industry for social and economic developmentómonkey of the regionón.
¿Whaté passed? We will see the próximos días well as keys to the future of connections in Lima.
