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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

Compiled by Bill Gao

Cusco, Cuzco Region (Peru)

IATA: CUZ ICAO: SPZO

Longest Active Runway

11,146 ft

3,397 meters

Field Elevation

10,860 ft

3,310 m MSL

Runway Inventory

1 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

-13.5357°, -71.9388°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

How ranks work →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#346 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#557 of 7558

Top 7.4% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Peru)

#3 of 4 in PE

#4 of 37 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+11.5%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 CUZ in numbers: 11,146 ft longest runway · #346 of 650 published · #557 of 7,558 worldwide (top 7.4%) · #3 in Peru.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco is one of the world's most operationally demanding commercial aerodromes. Perched at 10,860 ft in an Andean bowl, air density is roughly 30% lower than at sea level, requiring exceptionally high ground rotation speeds and specialized pilot certification. Jetliners must navigate tight valley approaches with visual terrain separation, with departures strictly limited to Runway 28 downhill into the valley.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Single paved Runway 10/28 (11,145 ft / 3,397 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Opened in 1964 named after Peruvian aviation pioneer Alejandro Velasco Astete. Constrained by dense mountain valley urbanization, driving the ongoing construction of Chinchero International Airport.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Primary tourism gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, located 164 NM southeast of Lima Jorge Chávez (LIM).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Extreme high altitude aerodrome at 10,860 ft (3,310 m MSL); commercial jet operations are strictly restricted to morning hours due to severe afternoon thermal mountain wind shear and required visual valley maneuvering.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Peru National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Longest runway ≥10,500 ft

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Elevation & National Context

High-Altitude Aerodrome (≥5,000 ft)

CUZ lies at 3,310 m (10,860 ft), #6 of 650 published airports by elevation and 97.2 percentile among 7,558 worldwide. It is 5,373 ft above the Peru median (5,487 ft, 4 airports); JUL is highest at 12,552 ft, 1,692 ft higher than CUZ.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

No published neighbour with a paved runway of 5,000 ft or more within 100 NM of CUZ. Nearest published airport: Inca Manco Capac International Airport (JUL), 156 NM, 13,780 ft (2,634 ft longer than CUZ); 1 within 250 NM.

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Runway Inventory & National Standing

Primary Runway: 11,146 ft (3,397 m)

CUZ runway: 10/28 11,146 × 148 ft asphalt (asp). National standing: #3 of 4 in Peru; JUL leads by 2,634 ft (13,780 ft). +11.5% vs the 10,000 ft baseline.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
10/28	11,146 ft (3397 m / 3.397 km)	148 ft (45m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🛡️ Source: OurAirports Open Aviation Database, snapshot 2026-09-01 · Provenance →