Nicaragua: Volaris to suspend flights to Managua from July 1

Event

Regional low-cost airline Volaris announced on Friday, June 22, that flight service to Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua will be suspended from July 1. According to the airline, it is suspending service to Nicaragua due to security concerns from the ongoing civil unrest throughout the country.

Context

The unrest, which began with a small student protest in Managua on April 18 before rapidly expanding, has been ongoing now for over two months. Regular protests have repeatedly led to deadly clashes, looting, and other violence throughout the country. Besides the nearly 200 people killed, hundreds others have been injured, arrested, and/or reported missing. Activists have accused the government of committing serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, torture, excessive use of force, and attacking the press. Means of communication have been censored and blocked on numerous occasions.

Advice

Potentially affected travelers are advised to contact Volaris regarding reimbursement claims and alternative transportation routes.

Individuals in Nicaragua are advised to closely monitor the situation, strictly avoid all protests due to the risk of violence and arrest, and adhere to any advice issued by their home governments. Some countries, including the US, the UK, and France, continue to advise their nationals to postpone nonessential travel to the country until further notice.