Anti-government protesters blocked roads and stormed the international airport in Peru’s second city Arequipa as deadly unrest intensified on Monday.

There have been widespread protests following a change of government on 7 December. The political situation is volatile. Protests can escalate quickly and include violence, with protests continuing to take place in Apurimac, Arequipa, Cusco, Ica, along the Panamericana Highway and elsewhere. This has resulted in the disruption of travel, with several road blockades, train disruptions and some airport closures, including the suspension of PeruRail train services to/from Machu Picchu and the closure of Arequipa and Cusco airport. A state of emergency has been declared in some provinces of the Apurimac region.

The Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation CORPAC S.A. communicates that the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco will remain closed until Thursday 15 at 23:59 hours as long as criminal acts by civil demonstrations continue in the city of Cusco, since the safety of air operations is not guaranteed.

Due to situations of public disturbance, Rodríguez Ballón International Airport in Arequipa, today 14 December 2022, is closed for air operations. For rescheduling, please contact your airline. The airport of Andahuaylas, in Apurímac, is also closed.

We advise passengers that any coordination and/or rescheduling of flights should be made directly with your airline through their official channels.