30 Oct 2018 | 10:03 AM UTC
Argentina: G20 Summit in Buenos Aires Nov. 30-Dec. 1; airport closures /update 2
G20 Summit in Buenos Aires November 30-December 1; airport closures from November 29; increased security and protests expected
Event
The G20 Leaders' Summit will be held in the capital Buenos Aires on Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1.
Heightened security measures will be implemented throughout the city during the event, including the deployment of an additional 25,000 security personnel. The summit will be held at the Costa Salguero convention center in the Palermo neighborhood, which will be surrounded by three separate security rings. Street closures near the summit and in downtown Buenos Aires are expected. Anti-G20 and other associated demonstrations are likely, which could lead to further traffic disruptions as well as clashes.
Buenos Aires's Jorge Newbery (AEP; a.k.a. Aeroparque; located next to the convention center), El Palomar (EPA), San Fernando (FDO), and Morón (MXV) airports - all located within Buenos Aires province - will be closed to commercial flights from 15:00 (local time) on November 29 until 22:00 on December 1 to facilitate the arrivals and departures of visiting dignitaries. Helipads and aerodromes within a 25-km (15-mi) radius of AEP will also be closed. Buenos Aires's Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) will remain open, but additional security measures and disruptions are likely during this period.
November 30 has been declared a public holiday; as such, commercial and public transportation disruptions are likely in the capital.
Context
The G20 is made up of the world’s 20 largest economies, i.e. the US, Germany, UK, Turkey, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan, Mexico, Italy, India, Indonesia, France, China, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Argentina, and the EU. Various high-profile world leaders are expected to attend, including Donald Trump, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.
Advice
Individuals in Buenos Aires are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a
precaution, allow for additional time to travel in the city during
the summit, and contact their airlines for more information regarding
airport closures.