Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:
QATAR AIRWAYS - Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc have announced a codeshare agreement.
The deal, which comes into effect from tomorrow, includes codeshares on both airlines' routes between Qatar and Morocco and on Royal Air Maroc services across West Africa. It means passengers can book a single itinerary combining Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc flights with one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in. Qatar Airways passengers travelling to Casablanca will now be able to connect onto the West African cities of Cotonou, Ouagadougou, Praia, Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, Abidjan, Libreville, Banjul, Conakry, Bissau, Monrovia, Bamako, Niamey, Lagos, Nouakchott, Freetown and Lomé. Within Morocco, passengers will also be able to travel onwards to Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, Guelmime, Tan Tan, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Fes, Errachidia, Oujda, Nador, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Laayounte, Dakhla and Beni Mellal. Royal Air Maroc will start a thrice-weekly B787 service to Doha on September 9, complimenting Qatar Airways' existing daily Dreamliner flights to Casablanca. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said: "The launch of this codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc is great news for our business passengers who frequently travel on Qatar Airways, as they will be able to connect seamlessly onwards to almost 20 destinations across the West African region." Earlier this month, Qatar Airways newest B777-300ER quietly appeared on the Doha-London route operating a ten-across 3-4-3 configuration.
SPAIN(MALAGA) - UGT trade union has called on its members to strike at Spain's Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, in Malaga, on 21 and 28 August. Unionised airport personnel are set to observe two-hour work stoppages between 10:00 and 12:00 local time on the affected days. The strike action is set to affect a number of services at the airport; as such, disruptions to air travel are possible at the facility. The aforementioned strike has been called to draw attention to the perceived poor working conditions at the airport. It is currently unclear how well the strike action will be observed. Clients intending to transit Malaga's airport on 21 and 28 August are advised to anticipate delays and possible flight disruptions and should contact their travel provider or airline directly to enquire about the status of their flight(s).
ATG has identified passengers who may be affected by this strike and notified the appropriate Travel Managers.
EAST ASIA(PHILIPPINES, TAIWAN & JAPAN) - Tropical Storm Goni is forecast to bring inclement weather to the northern parts of the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan from 21 August. The storm system is currently moving in a north westerly direction and is expected to increase in intensity to a Category 4 storm before affecting the northern part of the Luzon region and the Batanes Islands in the Philippines over the next 24 to 48 hours. The storm is expected to leave the Philippines' territory on 22 August and progress in a north easterly direction and impact on parts of Taiwan. Tropical Storm Goni is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, but will move along the coast and affect the north east of the country. Inclement weather is expected to affect Japan's Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands thereafter. The storm is expected to bring inclement weather, including heavy rainfall and coastal storm surges, over the coming days in the affected areas. Associated flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in elevated regions are possible. In addition, disruptions to basic amenities such as power supply and transport services (air, road and maritime) should be anticipated. Clients in the northern areas of the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories. Updates on the storm's development and applicable advisories from the local authorities are available on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration website (http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/). Caution is advised in low-lying and elevated regions due to the risks of flooding and landslides, respectively.
CHINA(SICHUAN PROVINCE) - Flooding in China's south western Sichuan province has killed at least 11 people and affected 564,000 others, according to reports released on 20 August. The inclement weather conditions, which have affected telecommunications and road infrastructure, have impacted on 16 counties in the province, with Xuyong County and Luzhou city among the areas worst affected. The recent rainfall and flooding coincide with the region's rainy season, which generally runs from April to September. Consequently, further heavy rains conducive to flooding and landslides should be expected in the province over the near-term. Clients in or planning to travel to Sichuan are advised to anticipate weather-related travel disruptions and to contact their travel provider for further information. Caution is advised in both low-lying areas and elevated regions, due to the respective risks of flooding and landslides.
NIGERIA(SOKOTO STATE) - Flooding, caused by heavy seasonal rains, has prompted the evacuation of at least 10,000 people in Nigeria's north western Sokoto state. Affected communities include Gidan-Kamba, Gidan-Bango, Yar-Wurnoni, Gidan-Modu, Lahodu, Tunga, Barayara Zaki and Arba. There have been no immediate reports of any casualties as a result of the inclement weather. Northern Nigeria's annual rainy season generally runs from June to September, but has been known to continue into October. It is characterised by heavy rains which often result in flooding in the northern and central states, including Sokoto state. Due to various security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Nigeria, including the state of Sokoto. Persons in or intending to travel to the state are advised to monitor local media for further possible flood warnings and emergency broadcasts.
VENEZUELA/COLOMBIA - Authorities in Venezuela have announced the temporary closure of the shared border crossing at San Antonio del Tachira with Colombia (Cucuta), for a 72-hour period, on 19 August. The closure was implemented after three security force personnel were wounded in an attack during a security operation targeting drug smugglers in the town of San Antonio del Tachira on 19 August. Security incidents in the area have prompted the closure of the border crossing by Venezuelan authorities in the past. The shared border is a particular hotspot, as criminal and rebel groups operate extensive smuggling operations in this region. The incident highlights the generally poor security environment in the area, due to these activities. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to within 80km of Venezuela's shared border with Colombia due to the risks posed by non-state armed groups. Travellers intending to transit through the border should confirm the status of the crossing with the local authority prior to departure.
EGYPT(NORTH SINAI GOVERNORATE) - Unidentified assailants kidnapped four Palestinians from a bus in Egypt's North Sinai governorate on 19 August. The gunmen boarded the bus, which was carrying 50 Palestinians, near Sheikh Zuwayid. The vehicle was reportedly en route to or returning from Cairo. The motive for the abduction is unknown. The North Sinai governorate is considered an extreme-risk destination. The area is affected by an ongoing low-level conflict involving Islamist extremists and the Egyptian security forces. Acts of terrorism are also regularly reported. The kidnapping risk in the region is considered high. While the number of reported abductions is low, the risk is elevated, particularly to foreign nationals. Clients are advised against all travel to the North Sinai governorate. Persons in or planning to travel through the territory should do so with a close protection officer and during the day only. Contingency plans should be regularly reviewed and updated.
EGYPT(SHUBRA EL-KHEIMA, GREATER CAIRO) - (Update) An earlier explosion in Greater Cairo has been confirmed as a car bomb. Unidentified assailants reportedly parked the device outside of a security facility and courthouse in the Shubra El-Kheima district, part of Greater Cairo but located in the Qaliubiya governorate, before remotely detonating the device. The explosion wounded six people. There have been no claims of responsibility. Greater Cairo has been affected by dozens of low-level bombings and shootings and occasional large-scale bombings since 2013. The attacks have largely targeted state facilities and personnel and have been linked to Islamist extremists opposed to the current military-backed government. Perpetrators are thought to be supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist extremist groupings, including the Islamic State (IS)-aligned Sinai Province and Ajnad Misr. Clients in Greater Cairo are advised to monitor local security and developments closely in conjunction with their security provider. Heightened caution is advised while in the vicinity of all state facilities and personnel.
KOREAN PENINSULA - Unconfirmed reports state that a North Korean military instillation has shelled a South Korean military unit at approximately 16:00 local time in the demilitarised zone (DMZ), near the western part of the shared border on 20 August. No casualties have been reported. Further information is currently unavailable. The incident highlights the ongoing insecurity along the shared North Korea-South Korea border, where periodic exchanges of fire have been reported in the past. In recent years, tensions between the two countries have been elevated. This latest incident comes in the wake of a renewed border propaganda war in which North Korea has resumed propaganda broadcasts for the first time in 11 years and South Korea has retaliated with opposing broadcasts. This follows an incident in which two South Korean soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion while patrolling the southern part of the DMZ between the two countries; South Korea has alleged that North Korean military personnel were responsible for the explosion. North Korean officials subsequently denied the accusations and recommenced the propaganda campaign. It is likely that South Korea will increase domestic security and possibly limit access to the areas near the DMZ for the immediate-term. North and South Korean relations are likely to remain strained in the short- to medium-term. Although the threat of open conflict between the two countries continues to be assessed as low, in light of the recent developments, tensions are likely to increase along the border and in the DMZ. Heightened security and tensions are expected to persist, as both sides are likely to commit additional resources to the area. The threat of further incidents of this nature is assessed to be elevated at this time. Persons operating in the Korean Peninsula should monitor developments closely and are advised to follow the directives issued by local authorities. Persons in affected parts of North Korea or South Korea are advised to exercise heightened security awareness near border areas. Concentrations of security force personnel and state facilities should be avoided as a precaution.
BAHRAIN(CAPITAL & NORTHERN GOVERNORATES) - The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned of protests in the Capital and northern governorates of Bahrain on 20 and 21 August. On 20 August, several planned protests are expected to be held in various locations, including Ma'ameer from 16:45 local time, Bilad al-Qadeem from 19:00, Malkiya from 19:00 and Bani Jamra from 20:00. Related protests are also expected to take place in Diraz, Abu Saiba, Shakhurah, Al Maqsha, Karbabad and Al Daih; from 17:00 on 21 August. The protests are likely to be initiated by Shiite Muslim opposition parties or activists; these groups hold regular anti-government protests in the country to demand the release of political prisoners and reforms. Demonstrations are prone to low-level acts of violence, directed by militant supporters of these groupings against state interests or by the police against protesters. Police-initiated violence is more likely to occur if protesters block major roads, march in Sunni areas or attempt to march into the capital, Manama. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Bahrain, excluding Manama, Bahrain International Airport and main roads leading from the airport to the capital. Unaccompanied travel at night outside of secure areas in all locations is advised against. All street protests should be avoided.
BURUNDI - The presidential inauguration of Pierre Nkurunziza is being held a week ahead of schedule in Burundi, with reports indicating that Nkurunziza will be sworn in on 20 August. The announcement follows a recent call by opposition forces for Nkurunziza's resignation by 26 August, before his second mandate is set to expire. The controversial inauguration ceremony may exacerbate unrest in the country as opposition groups contest the legitimacy of Nkurunziza's third successive term in office. Increased security measures and localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the ceremony and associated events. Nkurunziza's victory in Burundi's 24 July presidential ballot has been deemed illegitimate by opposition forces, who have violently contested the electoral outcome. Burundi's election period was marred by a spate of grenade attacks and violent opposition-led unrest; the post-election period has been similarly affected by incidents of unrest and sporadic acts of violence. Recently, at least eight people were wounded in a grenade attack in the Musaga district of the capital, Bujumbura, on 17 August. Should the aforementioned inauguration incite renewed unrest in Burundi, precedent suggests that Bujumbura will serve as a focal point. Acts of political violence by opposition activists, which may include anti-government gatherings, grenade attacks or other acts of public violence, pose a credible threat at this time. Due to the uncertain political situation in Burundi, clients are advised to defer all travel to the country at this time. Furthermore, given the limited options to depart Burundi in the event of a further deterioration in the security environment, persons in the country should consider departing where safe and possible to do so. Persons in Burundi despite the above advisory are urged to avoid all large politically motivated gatherings and concentrations of security forces.
MEXICO - The National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) has called for protests in various cities across Mexico on 21 August. Although specific details regarding protest venues have not been disclosed, large-scale gatherings are expected in the capital, Mexico City, particularly in and around the Angel de la Independencia, Avenida Paseo de la Reforma and Hemiciclo a Benito Juarez areas of the city. Significant demonstrations are also likely in the city of Oaxaca, with the Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo) and the state education building, Instituto Estatal de Educacion Publica de Oaxaca, likely to serve as gatherings points. The SNTE has also called for a 48-hour countrywide strike from 24 to 26 August. The strike may be accompanied by protest action. The demonstrations have been planned as a part of an ongoing protest campaign to denounce a number of socio-economic issues, including ongoing education reform, in the country. Various teachers' unions have been staging an ongoing protest campaign over grievances relating to education reforms since early 2013. Although widespread civil unrest is not anticipated during the gatherings, previous protests have been marked by low-level clashes between protesters and security forces, as well as incidents of civil disorder. Police officers have used rubber bullets, baton charges and teargas to disperse protesting teachers in the past; as such, there remains an incidental risk to bystanders. Furthermore, protesters have also resorted to blockading major roads, which has led to extensive travel disruptions. Clients in Mexico, particularly in Mexico City and Oaxaca, are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the planned action, make allowances for travel disruptions, and avoid all large street gatherings as a precaution against civil unrest.
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