Cuenca–Chiclayo Flights Are Back on the Table

A possible air connection between Cuenca and Chiclayo is moving to a new discussion stage. Xavier Bermúdez, governor of Azuay, has called a meeting for Thursday, August 20, 2026, with institutions interested in enabling the route, according to El Mercurio.

The meeting will include representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, the Ministry of Production, the Municipality of Cuenca, and the Corporation Aeroportuaria de Cuenca (Corpac).

Why the route is being discussed

José Luis Aguilar, a Corpac representative, said the route is well positioned and has support from the central government. The proposal grew out of the need for connections between northern Peru and southern Ecuador around Pope Leo XIV's visit to South America, and specifically Peru, from November 11 through November 17, 2026.

That does not mean the route has been approved. The meeting is the next step in a proposal that still needs central-government support and an interested airline.

What the first flights could look like

If the route moves forward, the initial flights would be trial operations using small aircraft with capacity for about 20 passengers. The airline that ultimately operates the service would decide the aircraft and ticket prices.

Cuenca's Mariscal La Mar Airport is described as ready to support binational flights. The source does not identify an airline, a timetable, or a launch date.

What this means for Cuenca expats

For residents, the useful signal is the possibility of a new regional connection, not a new route you can book today. Chiclayo could be relevant for travel between southern Ecuador and northern Peru, but the proposal remains conditional on the meeting, government support, and an airline's decision.

The next concrete checkpoint is Thursday's meeting. Until an operator, schedule, and fare are announced, treat Cuenca–Chiclayo as a proposal in development rather than a confirmed service.

Source: El Mercurio