High in Peru’s Andes, a large airport is taking shape near the village of Chinchero, Located just 30 kilometres from the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The long delayed Chinchero International Airport is expected to open in late 2027 and promises to dramatically reshape travel to one of South America’s most visited destinations.
Supporters see it as a turning point for regional tourism, while critics fear it could place unbearable strain on a fragile heritage site.For decades, reaching Machu Picchu has required long journeys involving flights to Cusco, winding road trips, and train rides through the Andes.
According to the BBC, the new airport could increase visitor numbers by as much as 200 percent. While this easier access may excite travellers, it has also raised serious concerns among local residents and conservation groups.
Supporters of the project argue that the airport will deliver much needed economic growth to a largely under developed region. As per Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications, the project has already created more than 5,000 construction jobs.
Once operational, officials estimate that up to one million people working directly or indirectly in tourism could benefit.
Local authorities believe better air connectivity will encourage visitors to stay longer and explore lesser known destinations across the Sacred Valley, not just Machu Picchu and Cusco.
For rural communities that are often overlooked, this could mean new investment, improved infrastructure, and fresh opportunities linked to hotels, guides, transport, and handicrafts.
Spreading tourists across a wider area may also help reduce pressure on Machu Picchu itself, which already faces strict daily visitor limits.
However, critics fear the opposite could happen. Plans for the airport were first proposed in 1978 and have since been delayed by funding gaps, construction problems, and repeated allegations of corruption. Some observers still question whether the project will ever be fully completed.
Justin Francis, CEO of Responsible Travel, has been one of the most vocal critics. He warns that placing a major airport so close to Machu Picchu risks damaging Peru’s most important tourism asset.
According to Francis, the real challenge is not poverty but Peru’s heavy dependence on a single attraction. He argues that making Machu Picchu easier to visit in a single day could lead to overcrowding and long term harm.
As construction continues, the debate around Chinchero International Airport highlights a familiar global tourism dilemma. How to balance economic development with cultural preservation.
