FAP Lieutenant Jaime Andres de Montreuil Morales Airport

Aeropuerto CORPAC de Chimbote "Teniente FAP Jaime Andres de Montreuil Morales" sits on the southern edge of Nuevo Chimbote, approximately 12 kilometers from Chimbote's central plaza. This small regional airport handles limited scheduled domestic flights, primarily from Lima, and serves as a link for business travelers connected to the city's fishing and steel industries, as well as tourists heading to the archaeological sites and coastal attractions of the Ancash region. The airport is operated by CORPAC, the state-owned airport and air navigation authority, and maintains a military designation honoring a Peruvian Air Force lieutenant.

Getting There

The airport is located in Nuevo Chimbote, a district that adjoins the main city of Chimbote to the south. From Chimbote's city center, the drive takes about 20 minutes along the Pan-American Highway (Route 1N). Taxis are the most reliable transport option; a one-way trip from the Plaza de Armas or the commercial area around Av. José Pardo should cost around 15 to 20 soles, and drivers are accustomed to airport runs. Alternatively, local combis (minibuses) heading south along the highway can drop passengers near the airport turnoff, but the walk from the highway to the terminal is about 500 meters along an unpaved road. For those driving, the airport has a wheelchair-accessible car park directly in front of the terminal. There is no public bus service that stops at the terminal itself. Most visitors staying at hotels in Chimbote or Nuevo Chimbote arrange taxis through their accommodation.

Inside the Terminal

CORPAC de Chimbote's terminal is a single-story structure with a practical layout. Passengers enter through a wheelchair-accessible entrance into a combined check-in and waiting area. The check-in counter typically opens one hour before scheduled departures; arriving earlier is not necessary. Security screening is basic and quick, with a single X-ray machine and metal detector. After screening, the departure lounge contains rows of plastic seating, a small shop selling snacks and drinks, and clean toilets including a wheelchair-accessible toilet. There is no airside restaurant, but vending machines are sometimes available. The boarding process is informal: passengers walk across the apron to the aircraft. On arrival, the baggage claim consists of a single carousel, and luggage usually appears within 10 minutes of landing. The terminal's atmosphere is quiet and unhurried; on most days, the passenger volume numbers in the dozens rather than hundreds. The facility is not open 24 hours—the terminal opens roughly two hours before the first flight and closes after the last arrival.

Aeropuerto CORPAC de Chimbote "Teniente FAP Jaime Andres de Montreuil Morales" and Nuevo Chimbote

Nuevo Chimbote is the southern expansion of Chimbote, a city of over 400,000 people that ranks as Peru's largest fishing port. The city's economy revolves around the massive fishmeal plants and the Siderperu steel mill, both visible from the air as the plane approaches. Chimbote itself lies in a valley where the Santa River meets the Pacific, surrounded by dry hills. The nearby beaches—such as Tortugas and Huarmey—attract weekend visitors from Lima, and the waters off the coast are rich in marine life, making this a prime spot for ceviche and seafood of all kinds. For travelers with an interest in history, the Sechín archaeological complex (about 15 km north of the airport) features one of the oldest known monumental stone carvings in the Americas, dating to around 1600 BC. A bit further inland, the Cordillera Blanca and Huascarán National Park offer high-altitude trekking and spectacular peaks; the park entrance at Huaraz is about a three-hour drive east. The region is also known for its annual festival of Virgen del Carmen in July, with processions and dances. Nuevo Chimbote itself is a growing residential district with a few hotels, markets, and restaurants along the main avenue, but most services remain concentrated in central Chimbote. Visitors should note that Chimbote's industrial zones can produce noticeable odors from fish processing, particularly on warm days. Despite its functional appearance, the city has a genuine working-port character that appeals to travelers looking beyond standard tourist routes.

Practical Information

Aeropuerto CORPAC de Chimbote is not open 24 hours. The terminal operates in conjunction with flight schedules, typically opening two hours before the first morning departure and closing after the last evening arrival. Currently, LATAM and previously Star Perú have served the route from Lima; check the airline's website for current schedules. The airport's phone number is +51 43 311062; it is answered during operating hours but not always promptly. The official CORPAC website (http://www.corpac.gob.pe/) provides general information but not real-time flight status. For taxis, negotiate the fare before departing. One concrete piece of advice: if you are flying out, arrive no more than 90 minutes early—anything earlier and you will be waiting outside the locked terminal.