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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

CZECH REPUBLIC(CSA CZECH AIRLINES) - Flight attendants at Czech Republic's national carrier, CSA Czech Airlines, have called for a three-day strike action over pay and work conditions, from 26 August. Although the level of observance remains unclear, significant disruptions to flight services should be expected. Negotiations between the airline and unions have been taking place for several weeks and are expected to continue over the immediate-term. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the strike may be averted with little warning. Flight disruptions, including cancellations and delays, should be anticipated for the duration of the strike. Residual delays should be anticipated once normal flight services resume. Clients intending to fly with CSA Czech Airlines are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider to confirm the status of their flight(s).

ATG has identified travelers who may be affected by this strike and has notified the appropriate Travel Managers.

ROMANIA - Romanian air flight controllers announced they would go on a general strike starting September 1, if their 14 claims were not solved. They said their problems involved "life and death" issues and relate to the passengers' safety. The union leaders from Romania's Air Traffic Services Administration - ROMATSA met on Monday with the Transport Minister Iulian Matache, but the discussions had no result, reports local Mediafax. The unions have demanded the "demilitarization" and "depoliticizing" of ROMATSA. They accused the ROMATSA director Aurel Stanciu of not having respected what the unions have agreed with the Transport Ministry last month. They were also unhappy that the Transport Minister Iulian Matache hasn't reacted to that. "We haven't had a collective work contract for three months now," said Gabriel Tudorache, one of the union leaders, last week.

On July 15, the air flight controllers went on a warning strike for two hours, asking for a collective work contract. Several flights on Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport were delayed due to the strike. A controllers' general strike could paralyze air traffic in Romania.

ATG will continue to monitor this situation.

UNITED KINGDOM(LONDON) - (Update) Labour unions (Unite, ASLEF, RMT and TSSA) representing workers on the London Underground (LU) have called off planned tube strikes for 25 and 27 August in the UK's capital, London. The strikes had been called over a pay dispute and in protest against a new night tube service. Union leaders have stated that the suspension of the strike was done as an act of goodwill and have warned that there is a possibility of the strike action resuming at a later stage. Unions have launched two previous rounds of strikes, in early July and early August. Travellers in London should monitor related developments closely and should prepare for further strike action and associated tube service disruptions over the near-term. To access tube service updates, visit the Transport For London website (https://tfl.gov.uk/).

ARGENTINA - Train drivers affiliated with the La Fraternidad union have called for a 24-hour strike across Argentina on 26 August. The strike has been organised following failed negotiations over wage increases with the ministries of labour and transport. Should the strike proceed as scheduled, disruptions to rail services are likely. Furthermore, an increased demand for alternative forms of transport should be expected. Clients intending to use rail services in Argentina during the aforementioned strike are advised to contact their travel provider or their respective rail operator to confirm the status of services. Clients should also anticipate an increased demand in alternative means of transport and plan accordingly.

CANADA(LES BERGERONNES) - All five passengers and the pilot were killed when their sightseeing plane crashed in the remote Les Bergeronnes area of the Quebec region on 25 August. The deceased passengers included four British nationals and a French national, while the pilot was a local. The aircraft, a seaplane operated by Air Saguenay, took-off from Lac Long in Tadoussac for a sightseeing flight before encountering inclement weather in the mountainous Les Bergeronnes area. An investigation into the incident is ongoing at the scene of the crash. The cause of the crash is currently unclear. Although inclement weather has not been ruled out, the flight conditions were reportedly fair when the highly experienced pilot took-off and only became adverse after the flight's scheduled conclusion. Domestic airlines in Canada have a good safety record and air traffic control systems are of an international standard.

AUSTRALIA(NEW SOUTH WALES) - Authorities in Australia's New South Wales region have issued adverse weather warnings for heavy rain and flooding in the St Georges Basin, Shoalhaven, Illawarra and South Coast areas on 25 August. The warnings are expected to expire late on 26 August. Heavy rain prompted authorities to evacuate several homes near the Jerrara Dam early on 25 August; however, the likelihood of the dam overflowing has since decreased. Road conditions, particularly along causeways and coastal roads, are expected to be hazardous in heavily-affected areas; localised disruptions to road and rail transport are possible in these areas. Persons in the affected parts of the New South Wales region are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories. Clients planning to travel to the affected areas in the next 24 hours are advised to anticipate potential weather-related travel disruptions.

JAPAN(KUMAMOTO PREFECTURE, KYUSHU ISLAND) - (Update) Tropical Storm Goni made landfall on Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, located in the country's south western Kyushu island, late on 24 August. The storm had earlier impacted the Ryukyu Islands on 23/24 August, with Okinawa being the worst affected by the storm system. Goni, which is currently classified as a Category 1 storm, is expected to continue impacting on Japan's Kyushu and Honshu islands during the next 24- to 48-hours as it moves in a north easterly direction. The storm is expected to weaken as it progresses towards the Sea of Japan, potentially downgrading to a tropical depression before it arrives near Primorsky Krai in Russia. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued several heavy rain, flood, storm and high wave warnings for its southern and central prefectures. 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. All flights to and from Kyushu have been temporarily suspended due to the current storm system; bus and train services on the island have also reportedly been suspended. Further disruptions to basic utilities such as power supply and transport services (air, road and maritime) are likely in the short-term. Clients in or planning to travel to Japan over the near-term are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Updates on the storm's development and applicable advisories from the local authorities are available on the Japan Meteorological Agency website (http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html). Caution is advised in low-lying and elevated regions due to the risks of flooding and landslides, respectively. Travellers should reconfirm all scheduled services with their travel provider or the local transport authority prior to departure.

TURKEY(ARTVIN PROVINCE) - At least eight people have died as a result of flooding and associated landslides in Turkey's north eastern Artvin province on 24 August. The province's Hopa district has been the worst affected by the flooding, including the villages of Yoldere, Yesilkoy and Esmekaya. Emergency services have been deployed and are currently assisting with rescue and relief efforts. There is an elevated risk of flooding along Turkey's Black Sea coast, where Artvin is located, as the region experiences high levels of rainfall throughout the year. Meteorological agencies have forecast further inclement weather for the area until 29 August, at least; this may exacerbate flood conditions in areas already affected by torrential rainfall. Associated transport disruptions are possible, as are disruptions to utilities such as water, electricity and telecommunications. Persons operating in Artvin in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for weather updates and advisories. Flood-affected areas should be avoided as a precaution; caution is advised in low-lying areas and elevated regions due to the respective threats of flooding and landslides. Travellers should also take precautions against becoming affected by flood-related diseases.

TURKEY/IRAN - Turkey has closed two border crossings with Iran 's Razi and sero border checkpoints, Mohammad Javad Atrchian, an official with the Iranian Road Maintenance and Transportation, said. However, the border crossing of Bazargan is still open round the clock, he said, IRNA news agency reported August 25. According to the official, Turkey has closed the crossings on security grounds. He added that the closure will create no problem for trucks and busses, while putting restrictions on local people. Turkey has not set a time limit for the closure, he noted. The closure followed armed clashes inside Turkish border a day earlier. The southeastern parts of Turkey have been in restive situations in recent months. In the meantime, a number of Iranian busses have been stopped on their way to Turkey . In one incident the driver was killed by unknown men. Also, the railroads connecting Iran to Turkey have been mined inside Turkish territory a couple of times in the past month. Following the disturbances, Tehran called on Iranians to avoid traveling to Turkey by land as much as possible. The Iranian rail transportation company Raja also announced August 25 that trains from Iran to Turkey and back are off until further notice. It said the decision follows the reconstruction of railroads in Turkey, adding that the reopening of the railroad will depend on when Turkey announces the accomplishment of the reconstruction.

NIGERIA(DAMATURU, YOBE STATE) - At least five people were killed and a further 28 wounded following a suicide bombing at a local bus station in the city of Damaturu, the administrative capital of Nigeria's north eastern Yobe state, early on 25 August. Further details regarding the incident are unavailable. There have been no immediate claims of responsibility; however, suspicion is likely to fall on the Boko Haram Islamist extremist group. The incident is indicative of the high terrorism risk in northern Nigeria, including in Yobe state, where mass-casualty attacks are regularly reported. Despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations against the sect, Boko Haram continues to possess a strong operational presence in the country. Further attacks, which may take the form of armed raids, bombings and kidnappings, should be expected in the near-term. Following such mass-casualty bombings, an increased security deployment should be expected, including additional patrols and checkpoints in affected areas. Clients are advised against all travel to a number of northern and north eastern states, including Yobe. Persons travelling in the region should do so with a close protection officer. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated. Recent violence-affected areas should be avoided, as should travel in busy or crowded areas.

CHILE(SANTIAGO) - A march, initiated by the Confederation of Chilean Students (CONFECH), is expected to take place in Chile's capital, Santiago, on 27 August. The march is expected to commence in Plaza Italia at 11:00 local time and conclude at La Alameda. The event has been scheduled regarding government proposed education reforms. It should be noted that all education-related protests in Chile, carry an elevated risk of violence, as past demonstrations have been affected by low-level clashes between protesters and police. As such, the possibility of violence at the upcoming march cannot be discounted. It is unclear how well supported the demonstration will be; nonetheless, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated along the march route. Clients in Santiago on 27 August are advised to accommodate for localised travel disruptions and avoid all large street gatherings as a standard precaution.

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