The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) of Peru highlighted the progress of its Subsidized Flights program, implemented to connect communities in the Peruvian Amazon with the airports of Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Tarapoto. According to the MTC, this initiative enables thousands of citizens to access flights at significantly reduced fares, achieving savings of up to 70% compared to the costs of the commercial market.
«Thanks to this program, journeys that previously took days or even weeks by land or river transport can now be completed in just a matter of hours,» states the official release. For instance, the Iquitos–Güeppí route, which can take over 15 days by land transport, and the Pucallpa–Sepahua route, which requires approximately 24 hours by boat, can now be completed in less than two hours.
The average cost of tickets is S/55 per leg (~USD 15), which has facilitated access for Amazonian communities to medical services, education, training, and work activities. «These flights are essential for those who need to travel for medical reasons, access public services, continue their education, or perform work activities,» the statement adds.
The program is structured into three route packages:
- Iquitos (Loreto) connects with Caballococha, El Estrecho, Colonia Angamos, and Güeppí.
- Pucallpa (Ucayali) links to Breu, Sepahua, and Puerto Esperanza.
- Tarapoto (San Martín) connects with Rodríguez de Mendoza, Ciro Alegría, San Lorenzo, and Galilea.
Since its inception in 2010, more than 314,000 passengers have benefited from this program. The impact is notable in the regions of Loreto, Ucayali, and Amazonas, where subsidized routes offer a safe and fast alternative in areas where river or land transport is limited.
With constant growth in seat availability – increasing from 23,943 in 2020 to 40,633 in 2023 – the program demonstrates its importance as a tool to improve connectivity in one of the most isolated regions of Peru. «This initiative not only contributes to improving the quality of life for Amazonian communities but also promotes development and opportunities in one of the most challenging regions of the country,» emphasized the MTC.
