Maria Reiche Neuman Airport

Maria Reiche Neuman Airport is not just a transport hub, but a true aerial gateway to one of humanity's greatest mysteries. Located in the middle of the arid pampa, this air terminal lives to the rhythm of tourist discoveries: instead of the usual bustle of business trips, an atmosphere of anticipation for an encounter with ancient history reigns here. The airport serves as the main starting point for small aircraft that take travelers into the sky daily to show the famous Nazca geoglyphs from the only possible angle — a bird's-eye view.

Features and Advantages of the Airport

The airport in Nazca is unique for its narrow specialization and an atmosphere that is hard to find in major international hubs.

Tourist Orientation. Unlike most airports in the world, NZC exists almost exclusively for sightseeing flights. Everything here is tailored to the needs of tourists: from expedited check-in to the presence of souvenir shops with Nazca Lines themes. The staff is accustomed to working with international visitors and speaks English.

Historical Heritage. The airport proudly bears the name of Maria Reiche, the German researcher who dedicated her life to studying the geoglyphs. This gives the place a special symbolism — you take off to see the lines from the very place where their main guardian lived and worked.

Convenience and Compactness. Thanks to the small size of the terminal, all procedures are quick and stress-free. Passengers do not need to cover huge distances between gates; the path from the check-in counter to the aircraft takes just a few minutes.

Below is the main contact information for Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (NZC). As this is a small regional airport, many issues are handled through the central office of the operator, Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP).

• Official Website: The airport does not have a separate website. All official information is available on the Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP) operator page: www.adp.com.pe/aeropuerto-de-nasca.
• Information Desk Phone: +51 56 523668.
• Airport Address: Carretera Panamericana Sur, kilometer 452, Vista Alegre district, Nazca, Peru.
• Email: For general inquiries, it is recommended to use the AdP operator's contact email: atencionalcliente@adp.com.pe.
• Social Media: The airport does not have its own accounts. You can follow news on the Aeropuertos del Perú pages.
• Lost Luggage Information: In case of problems with luggage checked onto a flight, you must first contact your airline. For items left in the terminal, please contact the airport information desk by phone.
• Passenger Support Contacts: For consultations and assistance, you can use the main airport phone number or the AdP operator's email.

Getting to Maria Reiche Neuman Airport from the city center of Nazca is quite simple, as it is located just a few kilometers to the south. The journey will take minimal time, and the choice of transport, although not as diverse as in metropolises, is quite convenient for tourists.

Taxi and Transfer — the most popular and reliable method. A trip in a regular taxi or a colourful local mototaxi (a three-wheeled motorcycle with a cabin for passengers) will take just 5-10 minutes. The cost of a mototaxi ride is generally very low. An important tip: most tours that include a flight over the Nazca Lines already include a transfer from your hotel to the airport and back. Be sure to clarify this point when booking — this is the most convenient and hassle-free option.

As for public transport, there are no special buses going to the airport in Nazca. Their role is fulfilled by numerous mototaxis and "colectivos" (shared taxis), which are the main means of transport in the city. You can easily hail transport on the street and negotiate a ride. This is not only budget-friendly but also allows you to better experience the local atmosphere.

If you are travelling around Peru by rental car, you will easily reach the airport by following the signs. There is a small parking lot near the terminal where you can leave your car during the sightseeing flight. Opportunities for car rental directly in Nazca may be limited, so it is better to arrange a car booking in advance in larger cities such as Lima or Ica.

Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (NZC) in Nazca is a small regional airport that differs radically from major international hubs. Its infrastructure is fully adapted to the main goal — servicing tourist flights over the famous Nazca Lines. Therefore, navigation here is extremely simple and intuitive.

Structure and Terminals

The airport has just one small terminal that handles all flights. There is no separation into international and domestic zones in the usual sense, as the bulk of the traffic consists of short sightseeing tours on light aircraft. The departure and arrival zones are located in the same building.

Layout and Navigation

Getting lost in Nazca airport is practically impossible. Immediately after entering, you find yourself in a common hall where you will find:

• Check-in counters for the several airlines organizing flights.
• A small waiting area with benches.
• A cashier for paying the airport tax (usually a mandatory procedure before the flight).
• A souvenir shop and a small café.

There are no transfers between terminals, as there is only one terminal. Departure and arrival zones are not functionally separated: after check-in and security, passengers proceed to the same waiting room, and upon returning from the excursion, they arrive back in the same space.

Procedures and Time

The check-in and security process at Nazca airport is quite fast. Check-in for the flight and pre-flight security checks take no more than 20-30 minutes. However, it is worth noting that before the flight, you are often required to watch a short documentary film about the Nazca Lines, and flight delays due to weather conditions or group assembly are possible. The main advice for navigation is to listen carefully to the announcements of your airline staff, who will invite you for boarding and escort you to the aircraft directly across the airfield.

The history of Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (NZC) is inextricably linked with the main mystery and attraction of the region — the famous geoglyphs of the Nazca plateau. Since its inception, it has become the main hub from which small planes depart for aerial excursions, allowing thousands of tourists from all over the world to see the mysterious drawings created by the ancient civilizations of Peru from a bird's-eye view.

An airfield in the city of Nazca existed earlier, but the official opening of the modern airport took place in the 1970s, when interest in the Nazca Lines began to grow rapidly. It received its name in honour of Maria Reiche — a German-Peruvian mathematician and archaeologist who dedicated more than 50 years of her life to the study, preservation, and popularization of these giant images. Her selfless work attracted world attention to the geoglyphs, and the airport's name became a tribute to her colossal contribution.

A major stage in the airport's development was its transfer to the concession of the company Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP) in 2006. This step contributed to the modernization of infrastructure, raising safety standards, and improving passenger service quality. Although the airport has not undergone massive expansions like major international hubs, its infrastructure is constantly maintained and updated to ensure safe and comfortable conditions for tourist flights, which are its main function.

Interesting fact: unlike most airports, Maria Reiche Neuman practically does not handle regular commercial flights. Its runway and terminal are designed primarily for receiving and dispatching small propeller aircraft, such as Cessnas, which are ideal for manoeuvrable flights over the plateau. Thus, the entire history and present day of the airport is the story of a gateway to the sky above one of the planet's greatest mysteries.

Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (NZC) is a small regional airport, the main task of which is to service tourist flights over the famous Nazca Lines. The infrastructure here is compact and focused on providing basic comfort for passengers waiting for their flight.

Dining and Shopping. A small café operates on the airport territory where you can order light snacks, sandwiches, and drinks. There are also several souvenir shops offering goods with Nazca Lines symbols, Peruvian textiles, and other commemorative gifts.

Waiting Areas and Wi-Fi. A common waiting area is equipped for passengers. Specialized VIP halls or business lounges are absent. Access to Wi-Fi may be limited or provided for an additional fee. The number of power outlets for charging devices is also small, so it is recommended to have a portable charger with you.

Financial Services. A currency exchange point or ATM may operate in the terminal, but their availability and operating hours are not guaranteed. To exchange large sums and for a better exchange rate, it is better to use banking services in the city of Nazca.

Additional Services. The airport provides basic amenities for passengers. There is a medical point for first aid. Ramps are provided for passengers with reduced mobility, but it is better to notify your airline in advance if special assistance is needed. Conditions for passengers with small children are standard — washrooms are available. There are no specialized mother and childcare rooms.

Accommodation and Business. There are no hotels on the airport grounds, however, many accommodation options — from budget hostels to comfortable hotels — can be found in the city of Nazca itself, located just a few kilometers away. Conference rooms and business centers are not provided at the airport.

When planning a trip through Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (NZC), it is important to understand that this is a very small regional airport, which mainly serves tourists departing on sightseeing flights over the Nazca Lines. Therefore, the choice of catering establishments here is very limited and not comparable to major international hubs.

In the airport's single terminal, you will most likely find one small café or snack bar. It is located in the general waiting area (landside), before passing security control. Here you can have a quick snack before your flight or drink something refreshing while waiting for your turn. The assortment usually includes basic items: coffee, tea, bottled water, carbonated drinks, as well as simple snacks like sandwiches, pastries, chips, or chocolate.

Do not count on a full hot lunch or a variety of Peruvian cuisine dishes. Options for people with specific dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) are generally absent here or limited to the simplest products like fruits or nuts. If you have strict dietary restrictions, it is safer to bring food with you. Prices at the airport are usually higher than in the city.

The café's opening hours are directly linked to the flight schedule — it is open during the daytime when tourist flights are operating. For a more substantial and authentic introduction to local gastronomy, it is highly recommended to eat at one of the numerous restaurants in the city of Nazca itself before or after your visit to the airport.

Flying over the mysterious desert lines is one of the most exciting adventures in Peru. To make your experience at Maria Reiche Neuman Airport in the city of Nazca as comfortable as possible, we have prepared several useful tips.

Arrival Time at the Airport. This is a small regional airport serving mainly tourist flights. We recommend arriving 1.5-2 hours before your scheduled departure time. This will be enough to go through all procedures without rushing, especially during the high season when there may be many tourist groups.

Check-in and Security. The process here has its own peculiarities. First, you check in for the flight at your airline's counter. After that, you will need to pay the airport tax (TUUA - Tarifa Unificada de Uso de Aeropuerto) separately; this is usually done at a special window and in cash. Then you and your hand luggage will be weighed — this is a standard procedure for small aircraft. Only after this will you proceed to security screening.

Seat Selection. The planes flying over the Nazca Lines are small Cessnas for 6-12 passengers. The main advice is not to worry about choosing the "right" side. The pilot will perform turns and bank the aircraft to both sides so that every passenger can get a good view of all the geoglyphs. A window seat is, of course, mandatory. If you suffer from motion sickness, take medication for sea sickness in advance.

Hand Luggage. Space is very limited in a small plane. You will be allowed to take only the essentials into the cabin: a camera, phone, bottle of water, and documents. You will be asked to leave backpacks and large bags in the luggage storage at the airline office. Naturally, standard security rules apply: no sharp objects and liquids in containers larger than 100 ml.

Passengers with Connections and Customs Control. Nazca Airport is not a transit hub. It serves exclusively local tourist flights. There are no connecting flights or customs control here, as the airport does not receive international flights. You will go through customs and immigration formalities at your first international airport of arrival in Peru (for example, in Lima).

Saving Time and Money. To save time, book your flight online in advance. Prepare cash in Peruvian Soles to pay the airport tax — this will speed up the process. Prices for souvenirs and food at the airport can be inflated, so it is better to have a snack and buy everything necessary in the city itself.

Flight Delays. Delays, unfortunately, are a frequent occurrence, and the main reason for this is the weather (fog or strong wind). That is why most flights are planned for the morning. If your flight is delayed, please be patient. Usually, flights are not cancelled but shifted in time. Bring a book or a charged power bank, as leisure opportunities in the waiting room are limited.