LATAM Peru Suspends Lima-Orlando Route Over New Airport Fee

(LIMA, PERU) LATAM Airlines Peru has suspended its planned Lima–Orlando route, citing a new Unified Airport Usage Fee (TUUA) at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport that the carrier says makes the service uneconomic. The flights were set to begin on October 26, 2025, but will not start as planned and will remain suspended through at least November 30, 2025. The decision affects Peruvian and U.S. travelers alike and adds new pressure to international air links between Peru and the United States 🇺🇸.

LATAM said the TUUA—applied to all international departures from Lima—has raised costs to the point where the Lima–Orlando route no longer works on current fares and load factors. Airline leaders have publicly warned that broad fee increases could erode Lima’s role as a South American hub, and the dispute has sharpened tensions between carriers and the Lima airport operator. While talks continue, affected passengers now face rebooking headaches, longer connections, or added costs to reach Florida theme parks, family visits, and business meetings.

The suspension lands at a delicate moment for Peru’s aviation recovery. Airlines count on holiday traffic in late October and November, and Orlando is a high-demand leisure market for Peruvian families and tour operators. By halting the Lima–Orlando route before launch, LATAM has pulled a direct bridge to central Florida that many travelers expected to rely on this season. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, fee changes that push up ticket prices or trim route margins can quickly lead carriers to pause or cancel planned growth, especially on long-haul or discretionary leisure routes.

Route suspension and the fee dispute

• What changed: LATAM Airlines Peru confirmed it will not start the Lima–Orlando route on October 26, 2025, as previously scheduled. The suspension runs at least until November 30, 2025.
• Why it matters: The new TUUA applies to all international departures. LATAM argues the higher fee undercuts route viability, leaving fewer nonstop options from Lima to the United States 🇺🇸.
• Industry reaction: Airline executives have criticized the fee move and warned of broader fallout for Peru’s connectivity and competitiveness as a regional hub. The airport operator maintains its own position as discussions continue.

About the Unified Airport Usage Fee (TUUA)

The Unified Airport Usage Fee is presented as a single, unified charge to cover airport services and infrastructure costs. Supporters argue a unified fee can simplify charges for airlines and fund long-term projects at Jorge Chávez International Airport.

Airlines counter that the sudden step-up in per-passenger fees—especially when introduced ahead of a new route—forces tough calls on pricing and network planning. For a leisure-heavy market like Orlando, even small cost increases can tilt the math, because passengers are price-sensitive and alternatives through other U.S. gateways exist.

Passenger impacts and practical choices

Passengers who booked the inaugural Lima–Orlando route now face practical choices and potential disruptions:

• Refunds or rebooking: Accept refunds or rebook on different LATAM itineraries via U.S. hubs with connections to Orlando.
• Switch carriers: Use competing carriers offering one-stop options through Panama City, Bogotá, or Mexico City.
• Delay travel: Families traveling with children for theme park trips may delay, preferring to avoid the stress of additional connections.

Other passenger considerations:

• Longer transit times and higher fares may be decisive for families and price-sensitive tourists.
• Tour operators can assist with group rebookings, but individuals should confirm fare rules and collect receipts.

Air cargo and logistics effects

Air cargo is also affected. While Orlando is not a major cargo hub, the belly space on passenger flights moves time-sensitive goods—e-commerce shipments and perishables among them.

• Pausing a planned route can ripple through logistics chains, particularly ahead of the peak shopping season.
• Reduced belly capacity may raise costs or complicate routing for businesses reliant on timely deliveries.

Implications for U.S. travel and visa planning

For Peruvians traveling to the United States 🇺🇸, the route suspension adds complexity to trips that already require careful planning. Travelers who need a U.S. visitor visa should complete the online nonimmigrant application, Form DS-160, available on the U.S. Department of State’s website: Form DS-160.

Recommended steps for travelers:

1. Apply early: Submit the DS-160 as soon as travel dates are known.
2. Plan for flexibility: Book tickets that allow changes without heavy penalties.
3. Track alternative itineraries: Compare one-stop routes through major hubs with stable schedules.
4. Check airline notices: Review LATAM’s instructions for refunds, rebookings, or credits; keep all receipts.

Additional tips:

• Families and students should verify visa validity and passport expiration dates.
• Employers sending staff to Florida should expect longer travel times and potentially higher fares in the short term.
• Keep documents and confirmations handy in case travel dates shift.

Broader industry and community impacts

The broader question is whether the TUUA will reshape route planning at Lima. Airlines often test new city pairs during peak seasons to build demand. If fees rise quickly, carriers may redeploy aircraft to routes with stronger yields or lower operating costs.

Possible responses and outcomes:

• Phased-in fee changes, seasonal exemptions, or targeted incentives for new routes (if stakeholders negotiate).
• Airlines may lift fares, add capacity elsewhere, or pause growth where demand is discretionary.
• Continued talks could produce a compromise that preserves connectivity while funding airport needs.

Peru’s tourism sector is watching closely. Orlando’s appeal to Peruvian families—theme parks, shopping, and family visits—is substantial. Losing a nonstop increases transit time, raises the odds of missed connections, and can push overall fares higher. Travel agencies note that convenience and predictable schedules are especially important for trips with children.

There are also community effects in Florida:

• Peruvian diaspora communities in central Florida depend on direct air links for family visits, cultural events, and small-business ties.
• A suspended nonstop reduces two-way travel, which can dampen tourism and local economic activity.

What travelers should do now

• Check booking emails and LATAM alerts for rebooking windows and deadlines.
• Map out alternative flights with similar arrival times in Orlando to preserve hotel and park reservations.
• Build extra buffer time for connections to reduce the risk of missed plans.
• Keep visa and travel documents ready—start with Form DS-160 for those who still need a U.S. visa.

Important: Monitor official communications from LATAM and the Lima airport operator. Policy adjustments affecting airport fees often lead to quick changes in airline scheduling, so further updates are likely in the weeks ahead.

As talks between carriers and airport officials continue, Peru’s role as a regional gateway hangs in the balance. A resolution that funds airport infrastructure sustainably while keeping routes like Lima–Orlando feasible would help protect international connectivity and the everyday plans of travelers on both sides of the route. VisaVerge.com reports that policy adjustments affecting airport fees often lead to rapid changes in airline scheduling, so expect developments in the near term.