That is 0 articles you have read today.
The Aporia is free and carries no advertising, so readers are the only
thing paying for it. If you are getting this much out of it, a small
donation is what keeps it independent.
Daily limit reached
You have read 0 articles today.
That is more than the 15 a day The Aporia gives away,
and well past what it can carry on nothing. Your allowance resets at
midnight.
There is no advertising here and nothing about you is sold, so readers
are the only thing paying for it. If the site is worth this much of
your day, it is worth a few dollars.
Everything else stays open: the
maps, the
directory and
search do
not count against this, and neither does re-opening something you have
already read today.
The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-09-16 · by Justine Costigan
The article discusses the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, highlighting both its inconveniences and amenities. The writer describes traffic challenges getting to the airport and notes that while the architecture lacks charm, the signage and check-in processes are generally clear. However, issues arise with malfunctioning automatic check-in machines and long security queues for travelers with foreign passports. Despite these problems, the airport offers excellent food options, including various restaurants serving traditional Peruvian dishes.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, opened in June of the previous year but faces significant logistical challenges for travelers. A recent flight from Lima to Melbourne via Santiago, Chile, highlighted these issues; despite a hotel located just 22 kilometers away, traffic congestion and indirect routes extended travel time to around 80 minutes. The proposed highway and subway linking the airport directly to downtown Lima could alleviate this problem but are not expected to be completed for several years.
Beyond the transportation hurdles, the airport's architecture has been criticized for its utilitarian design lacking aesthetic appeal or decorative features. However, the culinary offerings at the airport stand out, featuring upscale alpaca clothing brands like Kuna and Sol Alpaca, an extensive display of local liquor pisco, and high-quality Peruvian chocolate and snacks. These amenities aim to showcase Peru's rich culture and culinary traditions to international travelers.
Written for “Airport Issues Despite Good Food” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Whatever the flaws of the airport itself, they can’t compete with the journey to get there.
asserted
they → compete → journey
It’s roughly 22 kilometres from my hotel in Miraflores to the airport, and based on local advice I calculate at least an hour’s travel.
asserted
I → ’ → travel
But this spirals to 80 minutes thanks to both the intense traffic in Lima and the lack of a direct route.
asserted
this → spiral → route
My ride-share driver darts in and out of unpaved backstreets to dodge the jam and at times has to drive in the opposite direction to navigate roadworks.
asserted
driver → dart → roadworks
These might be for the proposed highway and subway to the airport, due to be completed in the coming years, but it’s impossible to tell.
uncertain
it → propose → years
In any case, losing 20 minutes from my check-in time for my LATAM flight is anxiety-inducing.
asserted
losing → lose → flight
The look
Lima’s new airport (opened in June last year) has been designed from the “massive shed” school of airport architecture and there’s been little embellishment to disguise this fact.
asserted
airport → open → fact
But that doesn’t really bother me, I’m not looking for interior inspiration from an airport.
asserted
I → bother → airport
More importantly, the signage is good and in multiple languages and it’s easy to find my check-in counter.
asserted
it → ’ → counter
Checking in
I arrive into and depart from Jorge Chavez four times on this South America trip, so I’m already familiar with the set-up.
asserted
I → check → up
The first time I check in for a flight to Cuzco I waste precious minutes trying to use the automatic check-in stations.
asserted
I → check → stations
When it’s clear the machines are not working, I’m directed to a long queue (and a long wait) for the human process.
asserted
I → ’ → process
For this flight I avoid that possibility by going straight to the counter, but I’m only allowed to check in one bag (as per my ticket), so I lug my second bag over my shoulder for the security shuffle.
asserted
I → avoid → shuffle
In contrast, my two arrivals into Jorge Chavez are seamless: straight through to baggage collection, a quick passport check and I’m on my way to the city.
asserted
I → ’m → city
There are long queues for travellers with foreign passports and they move slowly.
asserted
they → be → passports
Bag screening is also leisurely but I finally get through with 45 minutes to spare before I need to head to my gate.
asserted
I → get → gate
In a country that loves food so much I expect a lot from its food court and I’m not disappointed.
asserted
I → love → court
Knowing how enormous portions typically are, I buy a small cheese empanada – a snack I’ve eaten almost every day in the two weeks I’ve been in Peru – to say a culinary farewell to the country.
asserted
I → know → country
One thing I do like about this airport is the duty-free section, which is in a circular space in the middle of the international area.
asserted
which → like → area
Rather than forcing passengers to walk through it, they can choose to shop or not.
asserted
they → force → it
I check out all the food options in departures first, then find myself wandering through duty free, hoping to find something to spend my last Peruvian sol on.
asserted
myself → check → sol
As well as the standard global offerings, the upscale alpaca brands Kuna and Sol Alpaca have their own sections, there’s a huge and popular display of pisco, and loads of high-quality local chocolate and snack brands.
asserted
brands → have → brands
I nab a buy-three-pay-for-two deal on local hot sauce.
asserted
I → nab → sauce
Once you’ve browsed the shops there’s very little to do.
asserted
you → browse → shops
I head to my gate early, charge all my devices and send some work emails.
asserted
I → head → emails
Looks like almost everyone else is either on their phone or doing the same.
asserted
everyone → look → same
The verdict
Every new airport has teething problems but Jorge Chavez still has some work to do.
asserted
Chavez → have → work
The Aporia
