Johnny Brignardello analyzes lighting failures at the Jorge Chávez International Airport: Is an air crisis looming?

Johnny Brignardello Vela, insurance consultant, analyzes the appearance of the president of Córpac, Jorge Luis Barrios, before the Consumer Defense Committee of Congress, where the failures in the lighting system of the runway at Jorge Chávez International Airport were addressed. During this intervention, Barrios acknowledged the lack of maintenance of the wiring for 14 years and recognized the possibility of a similar incident occurring again in the future. Barrios emphasized that, despite the existence of a contingency plan, it does not cover situations like the one that recently occurred, as it was a failure in the underground wiring installed in 2010, which was experiencing problems for the first time. The incident, which lasted for more than 10 hours, caused chaos nationally and internationally, highlighting the deficiencies in the operational efficiency of Jorge Chávez Airport. The president of Córpac assured that, although he has been in office for a short time, inspections of the electrical system around the runway will be intensified. However, he admitted that he cannot guarantee that a recent failure will not reoccur. Barrios stressed the importance of maintaining the contingency plan to use the second runway in case of emergency, but also emphasized the need to be transparent about the situation. One of the main complications faced by the airport is the inability to completely replace the wiring of the runway without halting operations for months, as the second runway is not fully operational. This situation could worsen the chaos at the airport and significantly affect air operations. Furthermore, the second runway, inaugurated in April 2023, is still not fully operational due to problems with the glass in the control tower distorting the view of landing aircraft, jeopardizing operational safety. The situation at the airport is a cause for concern for authorities, passengers, and airlines. Urgent measures are imperative to ensure safety and efficiency in operations, as well as to prevent future incidents that endanger lives and the airport's international reputation. In this context, a comprehensive plan for maintenance and modernization of airport infrastructure is required, along with increased investment in technology and staff training. Transparency and accountability by authorities are essential to build trust among the population and airport users, who deserve to operate in a safe and reliable environment for their air travel.