Peru plans US$ 460 million airport

The Peruvian government has unveiled plans to construct a new, US$ 460 million international airport in Chinchero, near Cusco, to replace the current airport which can only handle a small number of daytime flights.

President Ollanta Humala enacted a land acquisition law to allow the new airport to be built, and said local communities would be compensated.

President Humala said, "The new airport will deliver more tourists, more jobs and help surrounding communities."

Cusco is the main starting point for tourists visiting the Incan Machu Picchu citadel, which is a world heritage site.

Plans were also announced to improve 1500 km of roads in Cusco. The US$ 270 million project would be financed by the Peruvian central government and the regional government of Cusco.