If you are on an international flight to Peru, you will land at Jorge Chávez International Airport which is situated in the capital Lima. Visitors to the airport often spend time examining a replica of the Jorge Chávez Bleriot XI monoplane which can be found hanging from the ceiling of the main terminal of the airport. The airport is named after Jorge Chavez, a Peruvian aviator who made history as the first man to fly across the Alps.
In 2000, the Government of Peru granted Lima Airport Partners (LAP) the concession to operate and expand Lima Airport. LAP officially took over the concession in February 2001, for a 30-year period. The concession agreement provides that LAP is responsible for the construction, improvement, and exploitation of the airport.
At the time Jorge Chávez Airport handled about four million passengers per year. Today the airport has grown to handle five times that traffic. The airport saw a 10.1% increase in 2016, receiving record 18.8 million passengers. In turn, the domestic cargo system, which has Jorge Chávez as its main articulation axis, transported 287.826 MT, of which 90.26% was international. Jorge Chávez accommodates 35 airlines which fly to 23 domestic and 46 international destinations.
The shareholders of LAP’s are Fraport AG (70.01%), International Financial Corporation (19.99%) and AC Capitales SAFI S.A. of Peru (10%).
Winner: Best Airport in South America
Peru’s intrepid adventurer, Jorge Chávez’s legacy phrase “Higher, always higher’’ has inspired generations of Peruvian pilots. It is only fitting that the Jorge Chávez International Airport honours that passion for flying high. They do this on a year on year basis, winning accolades honouring them as the best airport in the region.
For the 7th consecutive year, the operator has won the Best Airport of South America award by Skytrax Research. This is accomplished through an internet survey of more than 12 million passengers from 108 countries. The survey considers 39 different criteria, including access to the airport, adequate passenger transit, comfort, atmosphere, cleanliness, waiting times, immigration services, signposting, baggage handling, security controls, personnel warmth and courtesy, ease of connections, and the variety of products and services offered.
Offering clients and airlines a memorable experience
LAP’s mission is to offer passengers and airlines a memorable experience and to position Peru as the best connection point in Latin America. The operator has designed and implemented the citizenship promotion project “Smile. New airs in the airport”.
The project was successfully implemented with the support of 11 companies within the airport community. The Project promotes among all those who form part of, visit and use the airport facilities, the commitment to care for it, based on recognizing the rights and obligations they undertake during their stay.
Not to be outdone, the staff of the airport are raising the brand a mile high by showing their commitment to providing excellent service. They have scooped the award for Best Airport Staff in South America for the fourth consecutive year in 2014, in recognition of the outstanding service. In 2001 the company employed 2018 staff and had an outsourced compliment of 435 people. Now the company provides employment for 447 staff and 768 outsourced personnel as a result of the exponential growth during that period.
CEO of LAP, Juan José Salmón believed that the employees should be credited for the many achievements and accolades that the company has garnered over the past 16 years.
LAP offers a work environment that promotes employee development, both personal and professional. “This approach has enabled us to join in 2016, for the first time, the Great Place to Work (GPTW) ranking as one of the best companies to work in in the country,” said Salmón.
Their Training Plan has six programs at the top level focusing on the Management Committee which provides specific training to chief office managers. They have a Leader School which develops and enhances the skills of the leaders of the company.
In 2016, employees were trained in Business English and a managerial skills workshop. Professional Development was offered to 2 employees to carry out postgraduate studies. Compliance is compulsory and all employees are trained in
Occupational Health and Safety, mandatory by law, internal policies or norms, among others. In 2016 LAP trained 71 employees and the LAP Academy offered 12 courses to approximately 300 students.
Committed with the security and safety of all of its passengers and visitors, Lima Airport Partners organizes every two years a General Accident Simulacrum, according to the regulations established by the DGAC (a Spanish acronym for General Directorate of Civil Aviation), with the participation of the Peruvian Fire Department, Regional Directorate of Health - Air Health, Peruvian Air Force - Air Wing No. 2, Peruvian National Police, among other key institutions.
An integrated model for sustainability
LAP has built their social responsibility model on 10 strategic sustainable management priorities. This is underpinned by their commitment to provide aviation and commercial services with the highest standards in efficiency, safety and respect for our environment. The operator actively seeks opportunities to promote relationships of trust and generate value for their stakeholders.
Social and environmental responsibility is one of the core principles of LAP’s business. For the first time in 2014, LAP calculated and certified its carbon footprint, in accordance with ISO 14064-1. This makes LAP one of the first certified airport operators in South America. An interdisciplinary team “ECOMISION” was installed to identify and implement measures to reduce LAP’s footprint in the up-coming years.
Health and safety targets are also part of the general corporate targets. These include identification of hazard risks in workplaces and the reduction of accident rates. Participation in company health safety training sessions is mandatory for all employees. LAP also audited 63 companies based at the airport for compliance with the statutory regulations.
Capital expenditure has benefited the Peruvian economy
Jorge Chávez is one of the fastest growing airports in the region. At the time of the concession, the airport was suffering from a 40-year stint of lack of investment in maintenance and modernization.
The Peruvian Government decided that over an eight-year period considerable investment in infrastructure and equipment should be carried out. This period is known as the Initial Period. After that period, the company worked hard to position Jorge Chávez as an international hub for the region, not only because of its infrastructure, but also through its service. The airport has a privileged location and makes it a key interconnection point for passengers in the region. LATAM and TACA, two important foreign airlines, have established Jorge Chávezas their hub.
Since its commencement of operations, LAP has contributed $2 billion to the state coffers and capital expenditures of about $390 million have benefited the economy.The latest financials show that the airport achieved growth of 10.6% between 2001 and 2016 generating economic value of more than US$ 316 million. In 2016, income from non-aviation services reached more than US$ 80 million.
Phase 1 of the project saw the expansion of the passenger terminal to 65,528 m2 and the installation of seven passenger loading bridges.A new domestic and international concourse as well as a 5,500 m2 commercial area (“Peru Plaza”) was constructed.
Phase 2 saw further expansion of the International Concourse by 8,850 m2; construction of seven new departure lounges; installation of seven additional PLBs; and opening of four new commercial franchises.The Central Concourse by 5,301 m2. The immigration areas located there were enlarged; and six and four new arrival and departure control positions, respectively, were put in place. The security control area was reconfigured and five new commercial outlets were inaugurated.
The Domestic Concourse was also expanded by 4,146 m2. Five new departure lounges were built there and five new PLBs were installed. Internal remodelling of the Central Tower and reinforcement of the terminal took place making it fully earthquake-resistant.Theenlargement of the South Platform by 12,000 m2 and construction of an exit taxiway to allow cargo aircraft to reach their parking positions more rapidly in the airport’s south area completed the project.
Government of Peru greenlights airport expansion project
LAP has recently signed an amendment to the concession agreement with the Government of Peru giving them the greenlight to commence with their major expansion programme which is scheduled for 2018.
The government will provide land for the $1.5 billion expansion programme which will be 100% funded by LAP. The expansion will provide a second runway, a new state-of-the-art passenger terminal and other development upgrades required to deal with the increase in traffic.
It is expected that the third phase of the expansion project includes a second runway, more aircraft parking positions, new taxiways, and adequate infrastructure to increase Jorge Chávez International Airport’s operational capacity.
Juan José Salmón pointed out that both the environmental management and good relations with the adjacent community were key to maximize the positive impact of the airport. Their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) commits them to work closer with their neighbours and strive to reduce the emissions and energy consumption resulting from our operations. The operator conducted two meeting days with leading players of the different communities, such as leaders, representatives of associations in the communities and management boards.
Some of the of LAP’skey suppliers are:
1. Swissport Perú S.A.C- they provide ground handling and passenger transfer
2. Design Servicios Inmobiliarios: construction supplier north platform enlargement
2. Cobus Industries GMBH: passenger transfer vehicles
3. Zoeftig & Company Ltd: airport chairs
4. Thyssenkrupp Elevadores S.A.C: escalators and elevator maintenance
5. Adecco Perú S.A. - human resources services / recruitment agency
6. Seguroc Sociedad Anónima: security
7. Empresa de Distribución Electrica de Lima norte (edelnor): electricity utility
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