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Rodríguez Ballón International Airport

Arequipa, Peru

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Rodríguez Ballón International Airport

Arequipa, Peru
Explore Arequipa city guide Navigate to this airport
10
Routes out
5
Destinations
SPQU
ICAO
8405 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Peru's southern gateway serving the White City of Arequipa.

Opened
1965
Location
Arequipa, Peru
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, known as the 'White City' for its colonial architecture built from white sillar volcanic stone. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 8,405 feet (2,562 meters) above sea level, which can affect aircraft performance and requires careful operational planning. The airport serves as an important hub for domestic routes within Peru and handles international connections primarily to neighboring South American countries. It has undergone modernization efforts to increase capacity and improve passenger facilities in line with growing tourism and business travel demand to the Arequipa region. Arequipa is a major gateway to southern Peru's attractions, including Colca Canyon and the starting point for travelers heading to Lake Titicaca and Cusco, making the airport strategically significant for Peru's tourism infrastructure.
Terminals
The airport operates with a single terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include taxis, remises (private hire cars), and bus services connecting the airport to central Arequipa, approximately 8 kilometers away.
Airlines here
Major airlines serving the airport include LATAM Peru and Sky Airline, with additional services from Avianca and other regional carriers.
Notable facts
  • ›Named after Peruvian aviation pioneer Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón.
  • ›Sits at an elevation of approximately 2,562 meters (8,405 feet) above sea level.
  • ›Serves as a gateway to Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons.
  • ›The airport handles significant cargo traffic supporting Arequipa's mining and agricultural industries.
  • ›High-altitude operations require aircraft performance adjustments for takeoff and landing.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to the White City nestled among ancient Andean volcanoes

Rodríguez Ballón International Airport serves Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, set at an elevation of roughly 2,560 metres in the southern Andes. Named after a local aviation pioneer, the airport connects this colonial UNESCO-listed city to Lima and select international destinations. It plays a vital role in supporting Arequipa's tourism, commerce, and access to nearby natural wonders like Colca Canyon.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single terminal building handling all domestic and limited international arrivals and departures with basic passenger amenities.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi services available at official stands outside arrivals
  • Ride-hailing apps such as InDriver and Beat operate in Arequipa
  • Shared minibus (colectivo) routes connecting airport to city centre
  • Car rental desks available inside the terminal from agencies including Hertz and Budget
Nearby Hotels
  • Casa Andina Premium Arequipa
  • Sonesta Hotel Arequipa
  • Libertador Arequipa
  • Costa del Sol Wyndham Arequipa
  • NH Collection Arequipa
Dining

Inside the terminal, food options are limited to a small café and snack kiosks suitable for a quick bite before departure. The city centre's Plaza de Armas, about 8 kilometres away, offers a far wider selection of restaurants serving traditional Arequipeño cuisine including rocoto relleno and adobo. Visitors are advised to eat a full meal before heading to the airport for early-morning flights.

Traveller Tips
  • Allow extra time for acclimatisation on arrival — Arequipa sits above 2,500 metres and altitude effects can catch travellers off guard.
  • Carry local soles in cash as not all transport options outside the terminal accept cards.
  • Book taxis through the official airport counter to avoid unlicensed operators and agree on fare before departure.
  • Check flight schedules carefully as morning fog occasionally causes delays at this high-altitude airport.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (5 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

AQP → LIMAA · 319
AQP → JULAM · 319
AQP → LIMIB · 319
AQP → LIMJJ · 319
AQP → CUZLA · 319
AQP → JULLA · 319
AQP → LIMLA · 319
AQP → LIMP9 · 737
AQP → TCQP9 · 737
AQP → LPBZ8 · CRJ
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Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Rodríguez Ballón International Airport is an airport serving Arequipa, the capital of Arequipa Region and Peru's second largest city. This airport and Cusco's Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport are the main air hubs in southern Peru. It is named for early Peruvian aviator Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón. It is the third busiest airport in Peru.

Read full article on Wikipedia