A US$34.5 million airport upgrade project in Peru has the potential to revitalize agri-exports from the Ica region while also easing congestion at Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport.

Agricultural Association of Producer Unions (AGAP) president Ricardo Polis previously explained his optimism about the Pisco airport project, which has now been confirmed as open for business.

ProInversión investment specialist Jorge Valverde said the Pisco International Airport Modernization Project involved a new passenger terminal, a new cargo terminal with facilities and a new platform for aircraft maintenance.

"The agri-export sector will benefit from using the new infrastructure, which includes storage for airfreight cargo of 3,000 square meters (32,291 square feet) under cover and a working area of 6,000 square meters (64,583 square feet); a space where cold chambers will be operating," Valverde said.

He said the airport had the capacity to export to the United States and Asia.

"Because of its geographical position, the Pisco International Airport presents itself as an alternative for the agri-export industry.

"Ica produces close to 40% of fresh asparagus and 38.5% of the grapes currently exported via airfreight from Lima to the U.S.

"The importance of this airport terminal is found in that it will become an alternative terminal to the Jorge Chavez International Airport, decentralizing flight services, reaching traffic of 400,000 per year in the next 10 years, with capacity to mobilize agri-export production from Ica which today is around 300,000 [metric] tons."

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