LATAM Freezes Lima (LIM) – Orlando (MCO) Launch As Transfer Fee Fight Boils Over
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LATAM Airlines Peru has suspended the debut of its new Lima (LIM) – Orlando (MCO) route—originally set for Sunday, October 26, 2025—amid an escalating dispute with Lima Airport Partners (LAP) over a new charge on connecting passengers. The airline says the suspension will run at least through November 30, 2025.
What’s Behind The Pause
At issue is the Tarifa Unificada de Uso de Aeropuerto (TUUA) for Transfers, a USD 12.67 fee that LAP intends to apply to all international connecting passengers beginning Monday, October 27. LATAM Peru argues the new charge undermines Lima (LIM) as a competitive hub by pushing cost-sensitive connecting traffic to Bogotá (BOG) and Panama City (PTY).
The LIM–MCO suspension follows two other network decisions linked to the fee debate:
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Lima (LIM) – Havana (HAV): permanently canceled by LATAM.
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Lima (LIM) – Cancún (CUN): Sky Airline cited the transfer fee as a factor in its cancellation.
CEOs vs. Airport Operator: The Public Clash
The rift spilled into the open at the ALTA AGM & Airline Leaders Forum 2025 in Lima (LIM), where airline chiefs warned the fee would drive connecting passengers away from Peru’s gateway:
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LATAM leaders called the measure “short-sighted”, noting Lima (LIM) already monetizes connecting traffic through existing airport charges and commercial spend.
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Copa Airlines’ chief executive—whose Panama City (PTY) hub competes directly with Lima (LIM)—criticized the move as a policy that benefits rival hubs.
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Sky Airline Peru said the fee would make stopover programs unviable and ultimately raise fares for local travelers as capacity falls.
LAP CEO Juan José Salmón defended the charge as a contractual right and a key part of recovering the operator’s USD 2 billion terminal investment, stressing that the option to charge connecting passengers has existed for years and will be implemented October 27.
Network & Fleet Implications
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LIM–MCO was poised to tap strong family/leisure demand into Central Florida and convention traffic tied to Orlando (MCO).
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Aircraft type for the LIM–MCO launch was not disclosed; LATAM typically balances U.S. leisure routes with a mix of narrowbodies and widebodies depending on season and demand profile.
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The delay underscores how hub competitiveness—fees, process, and reliability—can be as decisive as aircraft availability when airlines allocate capacity.
What It Means For Passengers
Affected travel dates: October 26–November 30, 2025 on LIM–MCO.
Options (per LATAM):
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Accept a re-accommodation (likely via another hub)
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Change or refund at no cost if the proposed itinerary isn’t acceptable (for U.S. travel, refunds are processed automatically upon rejection)
Customers can manage changes via the “My Trips” section of LATAM’s website.
What To Watch Next
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Policy outcome: Whether Peruvian authorities, LAP, and airlines reach a compromise on the transfer TUUA.
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Competitive response: Potential schedule shifts toward Bogotá (BOG) and Panama City (PTY) if the fee remains in place.
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LIM terminal ramp-up: LAP’s path to recoup its terminal investment without eroding Lima’s role as a north–south and trans-Americas connector.
Bottom Line
LATAM’s decision to suspend Lima (LIM) – Orlando (MCO) through November 30 is the most visible fallout yet from Peru’s plan to charge a USD 12.67 transfer fee on international connections at Lima (LIM). Airlines say the cost tilts traffic toward rival hubs; the airport operator says it’s essential to fund infrastructure. Until the dispute settles, expect capacity adjustments and passenger re-routing—and watch how quickly Lima (LIM) can align policy with its ambitions as a regional hub.
