The new Jorge Chavez International Airport has entered a decisive stage in its preparation for the start of operations with voluntary passengers, Lima Airport Partners (LAP) has reported.
The “Advanced Testing” phase has already begun, in which a simulation of the entire airport route was conducted, reenacting different processes, from check-in to baggage collection. These tests are part of the exhaustive work seeking to ensure that the airport is ready for its opening.
The initiative involves all key players in airport operations.
Lima Airport Partners —together with airlines, ramp operators, the National Superintendence of Migrations (Migraciones), the National Superintendence of Tax Administration (Sunat), and the Peruvian National Police— actively participated by mobilizing various specialized divisions such as Udex, Dirandro, Fiscal Police, Divsafl, among other essential service providers.
The first testing exercises allowed both public and private entities to identify opportunities for improvement, in order to adjust their processes.
“These tests are essential to ensure that all systems operate smoothly and that we can anticipate and correct any issues before opening. We want to ensure a smooth transition that guarantees optimal service levels are met,” said Kevin Gsell, ORAT Test Leader at Lima Airport Partners.
During this period, nearly 9,000 simulated passengers will travel through the new facilities, reenacting various situations that could occur during the airport’s daily operations. In addition to regular passenger flows, critical scenarios will be tested, such as the handling of suspicious or abandoned luggage and the screening of high-risk passengers.
Operational Tests
Although the tests do not include aircraft movement, they are crucial to fine-tuning the details of passenger service.
The simulations have enabled the activation of key areas and processes of the new airport such as:
1. Check-in: Airlines have been able to enable some modules and process both domestic and international passengers.
2. Passenger flow: To date, nearly 500 simulated passengers and 5,000 pieces of luggage have been processed. The test included both domestic and international routes.
3. Security: Boarding pass control areas and security inspection posts were activated to ensure a smooth process towards boarding gates. Similarly, baggage inspection scanners and the modern baggage conveyor belt system using 3D technology were enabled.
4. Immigration and Customs: The National Superintendence of Migrations (Migraciones) enabled a test environment in its system, simulating the control of outbound passengers. Likewise, Customs personnel simulated passenger profiling and flow recognition processes for their inspection tasks.
5. Departures and Arrivals: Boarding and disembarkation processes were reenacted, where airline personnel led their processes, verifying the configuration of systems and equipment, along with the LAP personnel in charge.