Header NEWS
Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:
   
RUSSIA(MOSCOW) - Approximately 40 flights at Domodedovo International Airport, which serves Russia's capital, Moscow, have been disrupted and 3,000 passengers evacuated on 3 September following a fire in the baggage handling area. The cause of the blaze is related to construction work at the airport, but has reportedly been put out. Although the fire has been put out, residual disruptions are expected while the backlog of flights is cleared.  Clients intending to transit Domodedovo International Airport are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s).

Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers scheduled to fly through  the Domodedovo International Airport September 3 who were ticketed through ATG.

ITALY(CAMPANIA REGION) - Trenitalia employees are expected to partake in a work stoppage in Italy's Campania region, in which Naples is located, on 4 September. The industrial action is expected to disrupt all rail services in the region between 10:00 and 18:00 local time. Labour strikes and work stoppages take place frequently in Italy. These often impact on regional and countrywide transport services. Such action is often in response to wage disputes or other related issues. The above-mentioned work stoppages are likely to result in an increased demand for other modes of public transport. Clients in Italy on 4 September are advised to monitor local media for announcements related to the industrial action, and should alter travel arrangements accordingly. Should the strikes proceed, clients are advised to consider organising and/or booking alternative means of transport in advance.

AUSTRALIA(MELBOURNE) - Significant rail disruptions are expected in Melbourne, Australia, on 4 September due to an industrial action by unionised employees of Metro Trains Melbourne. The strike action, which has been called by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) in response to salary-related grievances, is set to take place between 10:00 and 14:00 local time. All rail services will be suspended during this four-hour period; metro authorities have warned commuters that further disruptions should be anticipated from 08:30 to 15:30 on the day. Limited bus services will be made available as an alternative to rail services for the duration of the strike.  An earlier strike action by metro employees between 03:00 and 04:00 on 3 September resulted in widespread rail disruptions in the city. Local media reported that residual disruptions and increased traffic congestion were experienced until at least 07:00 on the day. The upcoming industrial action is expected to be well observed; localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in Melbourne amid an increased demand for alternative forms of transport. Persons in Melbourne on 4 September are advised to anticipate significant disruptions to rail services on the day and should plan accordingly. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the status of the strike and potential associated demonstrations. The Metro Trains Melbourne website (http://www.metrotrains.com.au/) should be consulted for updates on rail service changes throughout 4 September.

HUNGARY(BUDAPEST) - (Update) The police in Hungary's capital, Budapest, have allowed hundreds of migrants stranded at the Keleti rail station to access the terminal on 3 September following a two-day standoff. Hundreds of migrants have reportedly entered the station and have attempted to gain access to train carriages. Minor confrontations between persons attempting to access the train(s) has/have been reported. The Hungarian State Railways (MAV) has issued a statement saying that all international rail services between Keleti and Western Europe have been suspended as of 3 September. Persons with tickets to international destinations will be stopped at stations near Hungary's northern and western border before being allowed to continue with their travel. Thousands of migrants arrived at the Keleti rail station on 1 September seeking transport to Western European destinations. The arrival prompted the authorities to suspend or limit operations at the station on 1 and 2 September. Migrants were also forced from the facility. Many remained outside of the facility and demonstrated on both days calling for travel out of Hungary. There were no reported of significant acts of violence. Further disruptions at the station are possible over the near-term. Additional disruptions at rail stations near the country's northern and western border should also be expected over the immediate-term. The Keleti station incident is one of many in Eastern Europe in recent weeks coinciding with the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants from conflict theatres in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Clients in Budapest should exercise caution and avoid all protests near the Keleti station and other rail stations serving international routes in the country. Travellers intending to utilise international rail services are advised to contact their travel provider or the relevant transport authority for an update on the current status of services prior to departure.

ZIMBABWE - The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has stated that due to ongoing low water levels at the Kariba Dam, power generation from the Kariba Power Station is expected to be reduced by approximately 36 percent. The reduced electricity output reportedly came into effect early in September. Routine maintenance until 28 January 2016 will further impact on output. Maintenance at the Hwange Thermal Power Station is also due to begin, and will end on 7 October. Zimbabwe is among a number of southern African struggling with regular power outages and shortages. Governments in all areas are attempting to rectify the shortage in supply; however, ageing infrastructure, increasing demand and poor maintenance have hampered efforts. Electricity blackouts are common in Zimbabwe and may worsen over the coming months, coinciding with the maintenance activity at the country's two primary power stations. Imports from South Africa and Zambia may offset shortfall at times; however, these states are also experiencing shortfalls, and their ability to meet Zimbabwe's demand is limited. Clients operating in Zimbabwe should ensure that business-critical electronic equipment is regularly recharged and that business operations have sufficient alternative energy sources in place, such as generators.

GUATEMALA - Several significant political developments have taken place in Guatemala in the past 24 hours. Late on 2 September, an arrest warrant was issued for Guatemala's incumbent President Otto Perez Molina, while more recently, on 3 September, Molina resigned from his post. This move comes ahead of the 6 September general elections, and after the legislature voted unanimously to strip Molina of his presidential immunity, on 1 September. The weeks leading up to the elections have been marred by large-scale protests against Molina, with demonstrators calling for the elections to be postponed due to Molina's implication in a large-scale corruption scandal. These demonstrations have taken place in urban centres across the country, including in the capital, Guatemala City. Although Molina's resignation is likely to placate anti-government protesters to a degree, protests by pro-Molina elements are likely to escalate, and these groups may call for the postponement of elections. If a criminal trial involving the incumbent should follow, it will likely take months before it concludes, and demonstrations by both pro- and anti-Molina elements will likely continue. The demonstrations have, thus far, not degenerated to widespread unrest; however, the potential of such violence still exists, with clashes between police and protesters, or between opposing groups of protesters possible. It should be noted that the political situation in Guatemala is difficult to predict at present. Clients currently in or planning to be in Guatemala in the near-term are advised to monitor developments closely, and to avoid all protest action as a precaution.

INDIA(JAMMU & KASHMIR) - At least four suspected militants and one soldier have been killed and another captured following clashes with security forces in India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state on 3 September. The militants were reportedly killed in violent clashes that ensued while a security operation was being conducted in the Handwara area of Kupwara district. A heightened security force presence remains in the area.  Kashmiri separatists and Islamist militant groups opposed to India's continued administration of Kashmir are active in the region and frequently infiltrate Indian-administered Kashmir from Pakistani-administered Kashmir to conduct armed attacks against security force personnel. Prominent groups include the al-Qaeda-linked Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and the Indian Mujahideen (IM), the former of which is believed to be responsible for this latest incident. The Indian government has accused Pakistan of supporting rebel groups in the region. Increased security measures may include random security checks and police or military roadblocks. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir state (except the eastern Ladakh region). Clients in the aforementioned area are advised to abide by the directives of the authorities and avoid concentrations of security force personnel and state facilities as a precaution.

TURKEY(DARGECIT(MARDIN PROVINCE) - A suspected Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) attack in the Dargecit district of Turkey's south eastern Mardin province left four police officers dead. The militants reportedly set fire to a school in the area, prompting a police response. On arrival, the police officials were struck by a number of bombs, resulting in the casualties. There has been an increase in the number of PKK-connected acts of violence and Turkish government retaliatory action in south eastern Turkey, since July. The fighting has caused dozens of deaths and injuries among state officials. The government has claimed to have killed hundreds of PKK fighters. Tensions between the two sides remain elevated and the prospect of de-escalating hostilities over the near-term remains low. The risk to travellers in the south east is largely incidental. The personal security risk to travellers increases in rural and remote areas, and around state facilities and personnel, particularly police stations, military positions, checkpoints and security patrols. Clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the shared border with Syria, in Mardin province, and are directed to exercise heightened caution elsewhere in the province. Persons currently in Mardin should avoid frequently targeted state interests as a precaution. Travelling with a trained security driver, particularly if travelling overland, is recommended.

SINGAPORE - Several elections rallies by various political groupings are scheduled to be held across Singapore on 3 September, ahead of the country's 11 September general elections. The rallies, which have been scheduled for between 19:00 and 22:00 local time on the day, will be held at the Delta hockey pitch on Tiong Bahru Road, Bedok Stadium on Bedok North Street, the field on Boon Keng Road, Jurong Stadium on Fourth Chin Bee Road, Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Choa Chu Kang Street, and on the field beside Buangkok MRT Station. All the rallies, as well as the ballot itself, are expected to pass without incident; however, several of the events will be well attended, possibly resulting in localised travel disruptions.  Clients in Singapore on 3 September are advised to take into account the possibility of disruptions when in the affected areas and to allow for additional travel time on the day.

BRAZIL - Federacao Unica dos Petroleiros (FUP), a federation of unions representing oil workers employed by the state-owned oil company, Petrobras, has called for a strike of indefinite duration in Brazil on 4 September. The strike is expected to commence at 00:01 local time and has been called to protest against the sale of state assets and a significant decrease in investments. The strike coincides with an ongoing corruption scandal involving Petrobras executives, businessmen and Brazilian politicians, which has sparked several high-profile and well-attended anti-government protests in 2015. As such, there is a possibility that anti-government groups could join any possible protest action or initiate separate gatherings on 4 September or in the days thereafter. As the strike is expected to affect the operational and administrative units of Petrobras as well as the fuel and oil import and export terminals of Transpetro, these remain likely sites for protest action. There is a credible threat of accompanying low-level violence at all protests in Brazil. However, the risk to travellers is considered largely incidental. In addition, protesters are often known to erect roadblocks and disrupt traffic at key intersections in major urban centres. Localised traffic delays are possible in the immediate vicinity of any protests or gatherings. Clients in Brazil in the coming days are advised to monitor local media in their area of travel for updates on the locations of possible protests. Persons operating in the oil sector are also advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness on the day. All related protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

LEBANON(BEIRUT) - Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader, Michel Aoun, has called for a protest in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on 4 September. The protest has been called for political and electoral reforms and the election of a president. The protest is scheduled to begin at 17:30 local time in Martyr's Square. The planned protest follows a partially disruptive but peaceful FPM motorised protest on 2 September in the Metn region, located immediately east of the capital, and in the Keserwan area, located north of Beirut. During the action, access to the Presidential Palace in Baabda was briefly blocked. The 2 September agitation was conducted to rally support for the 4 September protest. In addition, the You Stink movement has called for another protest against the government's waste management policies. The protest is scheduled to be held on 5 September in Beirut's Martyr's Square. Aoun has stated that he supports the movement's position but that his supporters will not participate in the 5 September action.  Lebanon has experienced a protracted political crisis recently related to the government's failure to elect a new president and its inability to solve an ongoing waste management crisis, ongoing since July. The crisis has resulted in the accumulation of waste in many areas of the country, including Beirut, and has sparked several disruptive protests. The FPM, which is mainly supported by Christians, is interested in the immediate election of a president as the position, under Lebanese law, is restricted to a Christian person. Other key government positions are shared among Shiite and Sunni Muslims. The 4 September protest is likely to be well attended. As such, road travel disruptions in the vicinity of Martyr's Square should be anticipated. The risk of clashes between police and protesters is also considered elevated. The You Stink protest in the same area on 5 September carries the same risk of disruption and violence. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to most of Lebanon, including Beirut. Persons in the city on 4 and 5 September should consider avoiding the Martyr's Square area as a precaution. All street protests should be avoided.

GREECE(THESSALONIKI) - Labour unions will hold a number of demonstrations in Greece's northern city of Thessaloniki on 5 September. The rallies will be held in protest against the upcoming annual 80th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, which takes place over nine days from 5 September. The demonstrations will also be held in protest of government's austerity measures relating to the third bailout agreement and other associated labour concerns. Labour unions, ADEDY and PAME will stage demonstrations at Aristotelous Square from 18:00 local time, with members of ADEDY expected to gather at the Eleftherios Venizelos statue at the same time.  While previous demonstrations related to the International Trade Fair have concluded without any major incident, this year's demonstrations come amid elevated anti-government sentiment related to austerity measures, with recent associated anti-austerity protests having been marred by incidents of low-level violence. As such, the possibility of violent confrontations between participants and police cannot be dismissed. The demonstrations are expected to be well attended and localised travel disruptions are expected in and round Aristotelous Square. As opposition to government austerity measures persist, further associated demonstrations are expected.  Persons in Thessaloniki on 5 September are advised to avoid all large gatherings as a standard precaution. Localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of demonstration affected sites.

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