In a move that’s shaking up Latin America’s airline industry, LATAM Airlines Perú has announced it will permanently cancel its Lima–Havana route starting March 11, 2026.
The reason? A controversial new airport charge known as the TUUA de Transferencia, or Transfer Unified Airport Use Fee, recently introduced at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport.
At first glance, a $12.67 fee might not sound like a big deal. But for an airline that depends heavily on passengers transiting through Lima to reach other destinations, the added cost is enough to make an entire route unprofitable.
As a result, the end of this route has become more than a routine schedule change — it’s a symbol of how rising airport fees and regulatory policies can reshape air travel across a whole region.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of Lima as a major South American air hub.
What Exactly Is the TUUA Fee?
The TUUA (Tarifa Unificada de Uso de Aeropuerto) is the airport usage fee that passengers pay when flying through Peru’s main airport. It covers services like maintenance, infrastructure, and passenger facilities.
The new version of this fee — the “TUUA de Transferencia” — specifically targets passengers transferring between two international flights in Lima. Previously, these passengers didn’t pay such a charge since they were simply passing through and not actually entering Peru.
That’s now changing.
Starting October 27, 2025, every traveler who connects through Lima on an international-to-international flight will pay US$ 12.67 extra. That includes connections like Santiago–Lima–Havana, or Buenos Aires–Lima–Miami.
And if you’re connecting both ways, you’ll be charged twice — once on the outbound, and once on the return.
While $12 might not ruin anyone’s vacation, for airlines that move hundreds of thousands of connecting passengers each year, the numbers add up fast.
Why LATAM Says It Can’t Continue the Route
According to LATAM Airlines Perú, the decision to shut down the Lima–Havana route wasn’t taken lightly.
When the airline relaunched the route in 2023, it saw decent passenger numbers — roughly 110,000 travelers used it in less than two years. But the vast majority of those passengers — about 70%, according to LATAM — were transit passengers connecting from other countries, not travelers beginning or ending their journey in Peru.
That distinction is critical.
Those connecting passengers are precisely the ones affected by the new TUUA transfer fee. When each of them suddenly costs the airline $12.67 more per leg, the economics collapse.
In its official statement, LATAM explained that maintaining the route under these new cost conditions is “financially inviable.”
Translated into plain English: it’s not worth it anymore.
The airline could, in theory, raise ticket prices to offset the cost. But that would make the route less competitive, and passengers might simply choose to connect elsewhere — in Panama, Bogotá, or Mexico City — airports that don’t charge such transfer fees.
It’s a lose-lose situation, and LATAM decided to walk away.
A Fee That’s Stirring Controversy
The TUUA de Transferencia has drawn criticism from all sides — airlines, passengers, and even government officials.
1. It Makes Lima a More Expensive Hub
Lima has long been promoted as a strategic hub for connections across South America. Its geographic position — nearly equidistant from most major cities in the region — made it ideal for linking the southern cone with the Caribbean, Central America, and even the U.S.
But with the new transfer fee, flying through Lima automatically becomes more expensive than connecting through Panama City, Bogotá, or Santiago.
For airlines like LATAM, Avianca, and Copa Airlines — which all rely heavily on connecting traffic — that’s a serious competitive disadvantage.
2. Travelers Will Pay the Price
Even though the TUUA fee is technically charged to airlines, it will inevitably be passed on to passengers.
That means a family of four making an international connection in Lima could easily see an extra $100 added to their tickets (round trip). For cost-conscious travelers, that’s reason enough to book a different route.
3. The Government Is Divided
The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) has expressed opposition to the fee, warning that it could hurt Peru’s aviation competitiveness.
Officials have hinted that they may renegotiate the concession with Lima Airport Partners (LAP) — the private company that operates Jorge Chávez Airport — to either reduce or suspend the charge.
But for now, the fee remains scheduled to go into effect at the end of October 2025.
What Happens to Travelers?
LATAM has confirmed that all flights on the Lima–Havana route will continue as normal until March 11, 2026.
After that date, passengers holding tickets will have several options:
Full refunds for unused tickets.
Rebooking on earlier flights before the cancellation date.
Alternative routes through other LATAM hubs, such as Santiago or São Paulo.
The airline says it will contact all affected passengers directly and work with travel agents to ensure smooth handling of changes.
However, for regular travelers between Peru and Cuba, this move leaves a significant gap. The Lima–Havana route was one of the few direct connections linking the Andes and the Caribbean.
Why This Matters for Lima as a Hub
Lima’s airport has worked for years to position itself as a regional connector — much like Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport or Bogotá’s El Dorado.
It’s a smart strategy: airlines use Lima as a midpoint, channeling traffic from the south (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia) toward the north (Mexico, the U.S., the Caribbean) and vice versa.
But that strategy depends on one key factor — cost efficiency.
If connecting through Lima becomes more expensive because of additional airport fees, airlines will naturally move their connecting traffic elsewhere. And once that traffic is lost, it’s hard to get back.
As one Peruvian aviation analyst put it:
“You don’t lose hub status overnight. But when airlines start canceling routes one by one, the network starts to thin out — and that’s the first sign of decline.”
The cancellation of Lima–Havana may be the first domino to fall.
Understanding the Fee’s Origins
So why was the TUUA transfer fee introduced in the first place?
It traces back to the airport concession contract between the Peruvian state and Lima Airport Partners (LAP).
LAP is the private consortium that manages Jorge Chávez International Airport and is responsible for its ongoing expansion. Part of the deal allows LAP to recover costs through various user fees — the TUUA being one of them.
The transfer fee was included years ago in the concession’s framework but was not being applied until now. With the expansion of the airport and construction of a new terminal, LAP argued that it was time to implement it to help fund improvements and operations.
The Peruvian regulator Ositrán approved the fee in early 2025, after a consultation period with stakeholders. The amount — US$ 12.67 per international transfer passenger — includes taxes.
Airlines and tourism groups argued the timing was wrong. With the aviation industry still recovering from pandemic-related losses, any new charge could discourage travel and weaken Peru’s regional position.
The Broader Impact on Latin American Aviation
While this story is centered in Peru, its implications stretch far beyond.
Airlines across Latin America operate on thin margins. Even small cost increases can change route economics dramatically.
If the TUUA fee remains in place, it could trigger several regional shifts:
More traffic through Panama and Bogotá: Copa Airlines in Panama and Avianca in Colombia could benefit as airlines and passengers seek cheaper transit points.
Reduced connectivity through Lima: Some international routes may be canceled or see reduced frequencies.
Higher ticket prices: Airlines will likely pass the cost to consumers.
Economic ripple effects: Tourism, business travel, and trade reliant on Lima as a hub could all take a hit.
It’s a reminder that aviation isn’t just about planes — it’s about policy, pricing, and competition between entire countries.
LATAM’s Broader Strategy
For LATAM Airlines, the decision to pull out of the Havana route fits into a broader pattern of cost-driven route optimization.
In the past few years, the carrier has restructured its operations post-pandemic, focusing on routes with strong point-to-point demand and cutting those heavily dependent on connecting traffic.
By concentrating on profitable, high-volume routes, LATAM hopes to remain competitive amid rising fuel costs, regional taxes, and infrastructure fees like the TUUA.
Still, LATAM executives have made clear that the decision isn’t permanent. If conditions improve — for example, if the TUUA fee is reduced or suspended — they would consider reinstating the Lima–Havana connection.
The Government’s Dilemma
The Peruvian government now finds itself in a tough spot.
On one hand, it wants to support private investment in the new airport terminal — a massive project that promises to modernize Jorge Chávez and make it one of the most advanced airports in the region.
On the other hand, it can’t ignore the backlash from airlines, passengers, and tourism operators.
Transport Minister Raúl Pérez Reyes has already signaled that the ministry will review the transfer fee’s implementation. He warned that the new charge could “reduce Lima’s competitiveness and affect connectivity for millions of travelers.”
The ministry could theoretically renegotiate with Lima Airport Partners to delay, reduce, or restructure the fee — but that would require delicate legal and financial adjustments to the concession contract.
For now, the situation remains fluid.
What Travelers Should Know
If you’re planning to travel through Lima after October 2025, here are a few takeaways:
Expect ticket prices to rise slightly for connecting flights that pass through Lima, especially international-to-international routes.
Check your flight details carefully. If your itinerary includes a connection in Lima, the TUUA fee may already be built into your fare.
For Cuba travel: After March 2026, LATAM will no longer operate Lima–Havana flights. Travelers may need to connect via Panama City, Bogotá, or Mexico City instead.
Stay alert for government changes. If the Peruvian government modifies or delays the TUUA fee, airlines might adjust their prices accordingly.
What Comes Next?
The next few months will be crucial.
If the Peruvian government or regulators revise the TUUA policy, LATAM — and perhaps other carriers — could reconsider their route strategies.
But if the fee stays as is, analysts warn that more route cancellations could follow.
Smaller carriers might cut back on international services, and even larger airlines could reduce frequencies if connecting traffic declines.
In the long term, the question is bigger than one fee or one airline:
Can Lima maintain its ambition of being a regional aviation hub, or will policy decisions gradually push that status elsewhere?
