The Chinchero International Airport project was created to address the operational limitations of Cusco’s current airport and meet future air traffic demand. Located 29 km northwest of Cusco, the new airport is expected to serve more than five million passengers annually. Despite its strategic importance for tourism, Cusco received over six million visitors in 2019, the project has experienced repeated delays due to contractual, environmental, and social concerns. 

Early inconsistencies in the 2014 concession contract, including unclear financial obligations and risk allocation, led to its termination in 2017. Environmental reviews revealed gaps in the Environmental Impact Assessment, including incomplete inventories of water sources and insufficient evaluation of impacts on wetlands and bofedales. UNESCO and ICOMOS raised concerns about indirect effects on the cultural landscape and local traditions. 

Social tensions also emerged, with local communities staging protests demanding employment and greater economic inclusion in the project. These issues have caused stoppages, reputational damage, and persistent uncertainty. The case highlights the importance of transparent contracts, robust environmental and cultural assessments, and genuine engagement with affected communities from the earliest project stages.

This case was developed by Sinfranova in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy Peru in 2022 and published in 2025. 

To read the full case in Spanish, click here: