Machu Picchu is getting an international airport. Work has started preparing the ground for the airport. Over 7 million passengers a year could use it. A million tourists visit Machu Picchu every year. The new airport will make it easier for more tourists to get there. It currently takes time by bus and train. Direct flights will fly into the heart of the Machu Picchu area. The government says this will boost the country's tourism industry.
Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century, 2,430 meters up in the Andes Mountains. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. People are unhappy about the new airport. They say it will damage Machu Picchu and nearby farming villages. One person said: "The airport...endangers the conservation of one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the world." He said the noise and traffic from the airport could cause big damage.