Jauja Airport

Welcome to Francisco Carle Airport — the high-altitude gateway to the heart of the Peruvian Andes! Located in the city of Jauja, this airport serves as the ideal starting point for exploring the picturesque Mantaro Valley. Named after a figure significant to the city's history, the priest Francisco Carle, it plays a key role in connecting the central region of Peru with the capital. Despite its modest size, the airport warmly welcomes tourists and residents alike, opening the way to the cultural and natural treasures of this amazing land.

Francisco Carle Airport, situated at an altitude of over 3,300 metres above sea level, is one of the highest airports in the country. It is equipped with a single runway and a compact yet functional terminal that provides travellers with all essential amenities. The air harbour primarily serves domestic flights from Lima, operated by several leading airlines. In recent years, infrastructure modernisation works have been carried out to enhance passenger safety and comfort, underscoring the airport's strategic importance for the development of tourism and the economy of the Junín region.

For your convenience, we have compiled the essential contact information for Francisco Carle Airport in Jauja. Please note that the airport is managed by the state corporation CORPAC S.A., so many contacts are centralised.

• Official Website: All official information, including flight status and airport news, is published on the operator's website, CORPAC S.A. We recommend checking details there: www.corpac.gob.pe.
• Information Desk Phone: For general enquiries, you can contact the CORPAC central office in Lima at +51 (1) 414-1000. Direct phone numbers for small regional airports often change or may be unavailable.
• Airport Address: Carretera Jauja - Tarma Km. 2, Jauja, Junín, Perú.
• Email: A specialised email for Jauja Airport is not publicly available. For communication, it is recommended to use the contact forms on the official CORPAC website.
• Social Media: You can follow news from the Peruvian airport operator on its official social media pages, for example, on Facebook.
• Lost Luggage Information: Matters regarding tracing and compensation for lost or damaged luggage are handled exclusively by the airlines. Please approach your carrier's counter in the arrivals hall or contact their customer support service.
• Passenger Support Contacts: For all questions related to booking, ticket changes, carriage regulations, and flight check-in, please contact the airline you are flying with directly.

Getting to Jauja Airport (JAU), which serves the eponymous city and surrounding districts in Peru, is quite simple due to its proximity to the city centre. The airport is located just a few kilometres from Jauja, so the journey will not take much time. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose one of several modes of transport.

Taxis and Moto-taxis — the most popular and convenient way to reach the airport. The trip from the city centre will take approximately 10-15 minutes. You can find a taxi on the city streets or order one through your hotel. Also widely common in Jauja are moto-taxis — three-wheeled motorcycles with a passenger cabin. This is a cheaper, yet equally fast option, ideally suited for travellers with light luggage. The cost of a taxi ride is moderate, but it is always recommended to agree on the price with the driver in advance, as taximeters are rarely used.

Public Transport (Colectivos). For the most budget-conscious travellers, there are colectivos — shared taxis or minibuses that ply specific routes, including in the direction of the airport. This is the cheapest method of transport, though it may not be the most comfortable, especially if you have a lot of luggage. "Colectivos" do not have a strict schedule; they depart as they fill up, and the journey may take slightly longer due to stops along the way.

Car Rental. If you plan to actively travel around the Junín region, renting a car might be a good solution. However, renting a car solely to get to the airport is not practical. In Jauja itself, the selection of rental agencies may be limited, so it is better to book a vehicle in advance, possibly with delivery to the airport. This will give you maximum freedom of movement around the picturesque surroundings.

Airport Parking. Jauja Airport has a parking area. It is suitable for both short-term stops for dropping off or picking up passengers, and for longer vehicle storage. Given the regional status of the airport, the number of spaces may be limited, but generally, parking issues do not arise.

Jauja Airport (JAU), officially known as Francisco Carle Airport, is a small regional airport serving the city of Jauja and its environs in Peru. Its structure is characterised by simplicity and compactness, making navigation intuitively clear even for those visiting for the first time.

Number of Terminals and General Layout

Jauja Airport consists of one small passenger terminal that handles all domestic flights — both arrivals and departures. Due to the airport's modest size, there is no complex system of walkways or separate buildings for different airlines. All key zones are located in one building and are within walking distance of each other.

Departure and Arrival Zones

The terminal layout is very simple. Upon entering the building, you find yourself in a general hall where the check-in counters of the few airlines flying to Jauja are located. After receiving a boarding pass and checking in luggage, passengers proceed to a small security screening area, followed by a compact departure lounge with a boarding gate. The arrival zone is equally simple: after disembarking from the aircraft, passengers walk to the terminal and enter the baggage claim hall, which is located next to the main airport exit.

Processing Time and Recommendations

Thanks to the low passenger traffic, flight check-in and security control usually take significantly less time than in major airports. On average, all procedures take about 20–30 minutes. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 1.5 hours before departure to avoid haste, especially if several flights are scheduled at the same time, which can create small queues.

Navigation through the terminal is very simple: all signs are clear, and staff are always ready to assist. Since everything is situated in one small space, getting lost here is practically impossible.

The history of Francisco Carle Airport, serving the city of Jauja and the entire Mantaro Valley region in Peru, is a story of transforming a modest airfield into an important transport hub. The airport was founded in 1948 as a small landing strip intended to connect this high-altitude agricultural district with the capital and other parts of the country. For decades, it played a key role in ensuring transport accessibility for the region, especially during the rainy seasons when land transport became difficult.

A real breakthrough in the airport's development occurred in the 2010s. Due to the growth of the region's economic and tourism potential, a large-scale modernisation programme was launched. A key stage was the paving and extension of the runway. This allowed the airport to accept larger modern aircraft, such as the Airbus A319, which radically changed its capabilities. Prior to this, the airport could only handle small turboprop vessels.

Following the runway reconstruction, a new, modern passenger terminal was built, replacing the old, cramped building. These improvements turned Jauja's airport into the main aerial gateway of the Mantaro Valley, contributing to a significant increase in passenger traffic. This, in turn, gave a powerful impetus to the development of tourism and business activity throughout the region, including the major city of Huancayo.

One of the most interesting facts about the airport is its location. It is situated at an altitude of over 3,300 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest in Peru. Such altitude imposes special requirements on the operation of aircraft, which require a longer run for take-off. The airport received its name in honour of Francisco Carle — a prominent figure who made a great contribution to the development of Jauja.

Jauja Airport (JAU) is a small regional airport providing a basic set of services for a comfortable wait for your flight. Although the infrastructure here is not as developed as in major international hubs, passengers will find all the essentials before departure or upon arrival in Peru.

Dining and Shopping: In the terminal, there are a few small cafes where you can order light snacks, sandwiches, and beverages. Souvenir stalls are also in operation, selling items by local artisans, textiles, and other memorable goods from the region.

Waiting Areas and Amenities: Specialised VIP lounges are absent at the airport; however, a general waiting hall with a sufficient number of seats is available to all passengers. Regarding modern amenities, free Wi-Fi may be unavailable or work intermittently, so it is recommended to have alternative internet access. Charging stations for mobile devices are limited, so it is best to bring a portable charger.

Financial and Other Services: ATMs for cash withdrawal may be present on the airport premises. Currency exchange points are generally absent, so it is better to arrange money exchange in advance. Basic medical assistance is provided to passengers in case of necessity.

For Passengers with Special Needs: The airport is equipped for the needs of passengers with reduced mobility — ramps and special restrooms are available. Airline staff provide assistance with boarding and disembarking from the aircraft. For passengers with children, mother and child rooms are available for changing and feeding.

Accommodation and Business: There are no hotels within the airport building itself; however, the nearest hotels can be found in the city of Jauja, which is easily accessible by taxi. Conference rooms or business centres are not provided on the airport premises.

Francisco Carle Airport in the city of Jauja (JAU) is a small regional aviation hub in Peru, and dining options here correspond to its size. Do not expect a wide variety of restaurants and food courts as found in large international airports. Nevertheless, having a snack before departure is quite possible.

The majority of catering establishments are located in the general hall before the security screening zone (landside). Typically, this is a small cafe or a few kiosks offering a basic assortment. After passing security control (airside), choices will likely be absent or limited to a vending machine with drinks and snacks.

In the menus of local cafes, you will find:

• Quick Snacks: Sandwiches, pastries (for example, empanadas), crisps, and sweets. This is the best option for those in a hurry.
• Beverages: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water. Sometimes fresh juices can be found.
• Local Flavour: Sometimes local Peruvian snacks are on sale, which can be an interesting gastronomic experience before the flight.

Finding a full lunch or dinner at the airport will be difficult. It is recommended to eat a substantial meal beforehand in the city. Regarding prices, as in most airports, they will be somewhat higher than in city establishments, but remain within reasonable limits.

The opening hours of cafes and kiosks are usually tied to the flight schedule and may be irregular. The selection for passengers with specific dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, Halal dishes) is extremely limited or non-existent. If you have strict dietary restrictions, it is strongly recommended to bring food with you.

Travelling through the airport of Jauja city is your chance to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the central Andes of Peru. To ensure everything goes smoothly, please review our tips. Despite it being a small regional airport, we recommend arriving here at least 1.5–2 hours before departure. This time will be sufficient to complete flight check-in and pre-flight security screening without haste.

Check-in and security control processes here usually proceed faster than in major airports. However, always keep your documents and boarding pass ready. When choosing a seat on the plane, if the opportunity arises, opt for a window seat. Views of the majestic mountain ranges during take-off and landing will be one of the vivid impressions of your trip.

Standard restrictions apply to hand luggage: liquids in containers no larger than 100 ml and no prohibited items. If you plan to carry specific souvenirs or food products, be sure to check the carriage rules with your airline. Since Jauja Airport mainly serves domestic flights (for example, from Lima), there is no customs control for arriving passengers here — it is undergone at the first international airport of arrival in the country.

If you have a connecting flight planned, bear in mind that Jauja is not a transit hub. Most often, you will have to collect your luggage yourself and check in for the next flight at another airport, for instance, in Lima. In the event of a flight delay, which sometimes happens due to changeable weather in the mountains, immediately contact an airline representative. They will provide up-to-date information and explain your rights as a passenger.

To save time and money, purchase flight tickets in advance, especially during the peak tourist season. Compare fares and baggage allowances across different carriers. Transfers from the airport to the city and back should also be thought out in advance — booking a taxi or shuttle online is often more advantageous than finding a car on the spot.