The Jorge Chávez International Airport expansion, a major infrastructure project in Peru, has faced operational delays since first anounced start in December 16, 2024. Its opening is now reprogrammed for March 30, 2025. This delay provides an opportunity to study the factors contributing to setbacks in large infrastructure projects through the study by Orya and Calahorra-Jimenez1, which examines delays across the design, procurement, and construction phases.

The mentioned study categorizes delay causes into three phases:

  1. Design Phase (12% of delays): Key issues include poor design quality, frequent design changes, and insufficient data collection. In the case of Jorge Chávez, initial planning gaps and incomplete stakeholder consultations may have contributed to complications later in the project lifecycle.
  2. Procurement Phase (8% of delays): Common challenges include material shortages, late delivery, and low-quality materials. Aligning the procurement process with international aviation standards likely posed additional hurdles for the airport project.
  3. Construction Phase (80% of delays): The most delay-prone phase, construction is often affected by payment delays, poor site management, change orders, and inadequate planning. For Jorge Chávez, the decision to extend testing and operational readiness by 60 days underscores the importance of comprehensive pre-launch preparations to avoid wider disruptions.

This investigation highlights transparency and stakeholder coordination as critical to mitigating delays. In the Jorge Chávez project, aviation groups such as IATA and AETAI have voiced concerns over insufficient communication from Lima Airport Partners (LAP), the project’s concessionaire. These organizations stressed the need for real-world operational testing, formalized training programs, and clear timelines to ensure readiness. This aligns with the study’s emphasis on the importance of stakeholder alignment and proactive communication in all project phases.

Orya and Calahorra-Jimenez’s findings also offer actionable recommendations. For the design phase, thorough preliminary planning and stakeholder engagement can minimize scope changes and data gaps. In the procurement phase, securing reliable supply chains and contingency contracts are critical to avoiding material shortages, such as the replacement of the glass of the control tower. For the construction phase, robust project management practices, such as regular site monitoring and detailed scheduling, are essential. The Jorge Chávez project demonstrates how a failure in any of these areas can cascade into operational delays, making rigorous testing a necessary corrective measure.

Simultaneously, the delay in the construction of the Puente Santa Rosa, essential for connecting the new terminal of the Jorge Chávez International Airport, highlights significant state-level shortcomings in infrastructure planning and execution. Initially slated to open with the terminal in late 2024, the bridge’s completion has been postponed to 2027 due to failed tendering processes—challenges reflecting inadequate pre-construction planning and coordination by state authorities.

The government’s inability to secure the necessary infrastructure in a timely manner underscores inefficiencies in administrative processes. The failure of multiple tender processes points to flaws in procurement practices, likely involving bureaucratic hurdles and unrealistic project budgets. In response to these delays, the state has resorted to temporary solutions, such as modular bridges, to ensure access to the airport, though these measures emphasize reactive planning rather than proactive strategy.

The Jorge Chávez project and the above-mentioned study both underline the economic, reputational, and operational impacts of delays. Delays in such large-scale projects often lead to increased costs, reduced financial returns, and erosion of public trust. However, the decision to reprogram the airport’s opening also highlights adaptive management practices, where stakeholders in the turism and transportation sectors prioritize long-term success over short-term gains.

Reference

  1. Orya, F., & Calahorra-Jimenez, M. (2024). Delays in Infrastructure Projects: Main Reasons in the Design, Procurement, and Construction Phases. Public Works Management & Policy, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/1087724X241308310 ↩