Aeropuertos Andinos del Peru (AAP) reported the temporary closure of the Inca Manco Capac International Airport (JUL) that serves the city of Juliaca, due to the lack of security in its vicinity and the arrival of a group of demonstrators who aim to enter the airport.
As a result, air operations at the terminal will remain suspended in order to safeguard the integrity and safety of passengers, users, general public and employees.
250 passengers have been evacuated and airport staff has been placed under shelter. This caused the suspension of 4 flights scheduled for Wednesday (14), affecting close to one thousand passengers.
The airport concessionaire said in a press release: «We are carrying out pertinent coordination with the airlines and the airport community to resume operations in the short term and when conditions exist that guarantee the safety of passengers, our equipment and the entire airport community».
He also called on the population in general to cease violence and to respect the rights of citizens and free transit, demanding the control of the security of all by the authorities.
LATAM, SKY and JetSMART announced the suspension of their flights until the terminal returns to normal.
Protests continue
As part of a series of protests resulting from the political crisis in the Republic of Peru, five airports have been temporarily closed on different days of the week since Sunday, December 11.
Andahuaylas (ANS) was attacked on Sunday 11, where demonstrations met with strong police resistance and clashes left two dead. The Arequipa (AQP) terminal was attacked on the morning of Monday 12 and although the police operation prevented the takeover of the airport, it is not clear when it will be able to return to normal operations.
On Tuesday 13, Cusco (CUS) followed, where the airport was immediately closed, and operations were suspended because the safety of passengers and workers was not guaranteed.
The attacks on the various airports in Peru highlight the inefficiency of the perimeter infrastructure, where many of these airports have only wire fences without additional security to separate them from the surrounding areas.
On Thursday 15, the Alfredo Mendivil Duarte airport in Ayacucho (AYP) was closed due to a warning from the Armed Forces that demonstrators would attack it. Six flights scheduled for today were cancelled.
At other airports, such as Chiclayo, Trujillo and Lima, security has been stepped up to prevent takeovers.
