A new nonstop flight between Salt Lake City and Lima is doing more than shortening travel time. It is highlighting a deep and long-standing bond between Utah and Peru, two regions linked by faith, service, and shared history within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
With the launch of Delta Air Lines’ first direct route connecting the two cities, attention has returned to a relationship built over decades through missionary service, humanitarian aid, and growing religious communities on both sides of the equator.
A Direct Flight That Reflects a Deeper Connection
On December 4, Delta Air Lines inaugurated nonstop seasonal service between Salt Lake City and Lima, operating through January 25, 2026. While the route supports tourism and trade, leaders involved in the launch emphasized that the flight also reflects strong people-to-people ties.
Delta executives noted that partnerships with Utah-based organizations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, played a role in making the route viable. Thousands of Utah residents travel to Peru each year, many for missionary assignments or to visit family.
Details about the route and its schedule are available through Delta Air Lines.
Why Peru Holds Unique Importance for Latter-day Saints
Peru stands out in South America for its significant Latter-day Saint presence. Lima is the only city on the continent with two operating temples, underscoring the country’s importance within the global church.
Peru now has:
- Nearly 650,000 Latter-day Saints
- Four operating temples in Lima, Trujillo, and Arequipa
- Six additional temples announced in cities including Cusco and Iquitos
- 15 missions and almost 800 congregations
Church growth in Peru has been rapid, expanding from a small branch established in 1956 to one of the largest Latter-day Saint populations worldwide.
More information on global church operations can be found at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Missionary Service Linking Utah and Peru
Each month, Peruvian consular offices in Utah process visas for Utahns preparing to serve missions in Peru. Many Utah families have personal connections to the country through years of missionary service, creating lasting cultural and linguistic ties.
Spanish is widely spoken in Utah, with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of residents using it at home. This shared language and experience has helped strengthen long-term relationships between communities.
Humanitarian Support During Times of Crisis
The bond between Utah and Peru extends well beyond religious growth. The church has played a visible role in humanitarian relief efforts, particularly after major disasters.
Following Peru’s devastating 2007 magnitude 8.0 earthquake, emergency aid arrived within hours. Food, water, and supplies were flown from Salt Lake City, while temporary shelters were established at church meetinghouses.
Later efforts focused on long-term recovery. Hundreds of earthquake-resistant homes were built with church support, combining donated materials with volunteer labor from local families.
Recent Partnerships Improving Children’s Health
In 2024, the church partnered with UNICEF to support child health and development across several Peruvian regions. The initiative focused on early screening for vision and hearing issues in newborns and improving access to clean water and hygiene services in schools.
The program benefited tens of thousands of students and helped improve menstrual hygiene access for adolescent girls, addressing both health and dignity concerns in vulnerable communities.
Faith Leaders Reflect on Peru’s Growth
During the dedication of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple in 2024, senior church leaders reflected on the speed and scale of the church’s expansion in the country.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson described Peru’s growth as extraordinary, noting that nearly all of it has occurred within a single lifetime. He emphasized that Peru holds a special place in the church’s global story.
More Than Trade or Travel
While Utah and Peru continue expanding economic ties through trade missions and direct flights, their connection runs deeper. Shared faith, decades of service, and ongoing humanitarian partnerships have created a relationship that goes beyond borders.
The Salt Lake City to Lima route now makes that connection easier to maintain, but the foundation was built long before the first plane took off.
