Rodríguez Ballón International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, known as the 'White City' for its colonial architecture built from white sillar volcanic stone. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 8,405 feet (2,562 meters) above sea level, which can affect aircraft performance and requires careful operational planning. The airport serves as an important hub for domestic routes within Peru and handles international connections primarily to neighboring South American countries. It has undergone modernization efforts to increase capacity and improve passenger facilities in line with growing tourism and business travel demand to the Arequipa region. Arequipa is a major gateway to southern Peru's attractions, including Colca Canyon and the starting point for travelers heading to Lake Titicaca and Cusco, making the airport strategically significant for Peru's tourism infrastructure.