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ATG TRAVEL NEWS & ALERTS

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

SPAIN (ALICANTE and PALMA) - Disruptions to flight services at Spain's Alicante-Elche and Palma de Mallorca airports are expected on 16 September, due to a strike by unionised ground staff. Unionised employees of ground handling service provider, Menzies Aviation Iberica, will observe a series of four-hour work stoppages from 10:00 to 14:00 and again at 16:00 to 20:00 local time on the day. The strike action has been called with regard to a number of labour concerns, including wages. Services of low-cost carrier airlines, easyJet and Vueling, are set to be the worst affected. The industrial action is the latest in labour unions' CCOO, UGT and USO strike campaign against Menzies Aviation Iberica. The strike campaign is scheduled to continue throughout September at Spain's major airports, including those in Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga. Negotiations between the unions and Menzies Aviation Iberica are said to be ongoing, as such, there is a possibility that the strike action may be averted. It should be noted in this regard that previous related strikes have only resulted in marginal disruptions at the affected airports; however the possibility of more extensive disruptions during the upcoming strike, cannot be discounted. Persons scheduled to transit through the aforementioned airports should anticipate delays and are advised to contact their airline or travel provider to enquire about the status of their flight(s).

We are closely monitoring this situation and reaching out to our traveler managers / travelers who may be affected by the strike.

INDONESIA (BITUNG, NORTH SULAWESI PROVINCE) - A 6.3 magnitude offshore earthquake has been reported approximately 140km north east of Bitung, located in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, on 16 September. The earthquake was recorded at a depth of approximately 53km. There have been no immediate reports of damage to property or casualties neither has a tsunami warning been issued. Aftershocks are possible in the affected area. Persons in the affected region of Indonesia are advised to take the necessary precautions, including following the directives of the local authorities. Clients are further advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for updates and advisories from the local authorities.

NETHERLANDS (COUNTRYWIDE, THE HAGUE) - Police officers in the Netherlands are expected to participate in industrial action on 16 September. Participants are expected to gather outside the Ministries of Security and Justice, Interior, Finance and Parliament Buildings in The Hague, at 09:00 local time. The protest action is expected to affect police services and stations countrywide. The strike has been called in response to an ongoing labour and wage dispute. Public protests and strikes take place periodically in the Netherlands; these activities are largely non-violent. Major protests are predominantly organised in the city centres of Amsterdam and The Hague. The strike is expected to be well attended and as such, localised disruptions to road traffic in the vicinity of the above-mentioned buildings should be anticipated. Clients in The Hague are advised to avoid all protests and related gatherings as a standard precaution. Furthermore, the anticipated protest is likely to cause significant travel disruptions in the affected area. Clients are thus advised to anticipate travel delays and should plan accordingly.

TURKEY (BEIRUT) - Police in Lebanon have deployed in large numbers and have blocked several roads in the downtown area of the country's capital, Beirut, in response to two anti-government demonstrations on 16 September. The 'You Stink' movement, which has called several demonstrations in recent weeks over the government's waste management crisis, has called for a protest outside of Parliament in Nejmeh Square. The protest coincides with national dialogue talks. Relatives of soldiers abducted by Islamist extremists in 2014 have also called for a protest in the city on 16 September. Unconfirmed reports indicate that protesters have already begun gathering outside of the military court. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to most of Lebanon, including Beirut. Persons in the city are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness in the downtown area of the capital. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

TURKEY (ANKARA) - A number of non-governmental, labour and professional organisations have called for a demonstration against terrorism in Sihhiye Square in Turkey's capital, Ankara, on 17 September. The gathering is expected during the afternoon. Participants may also march to Parliament. The gathering is likely to cause localised road traffic disruptions in the vicinity of Sihhiye Square during the afternoon of 17 September. The risk of violence is considered low; however, minor confrontations between demonstrators and the security forces cannot be discounted.
Clients in Ankara on 17 September should exercise caution in the affected areas. The demonstration should be avoided as a standard precaution.

PARAGUAY (ASUNCION) - The National Federation of Secondary Students (FENAES) organisation has called for protests in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, on 18 September. Participants are expected to gather at Plaza Italia at 08:00 local time, from where they will march at 09:00 to the Ministry of Education and the Panteon Nacional de los Heroes, before ending at Plaza de Armas. Approximately 2,000 students are expected to attend the rally; which has been organised to demand improvements to the quality of education. Localised disruptions are possible along the protest route on the day. The risk of violence at the protest is low; however, the possibility cannot be fully discounted. Persons in Asuncion on 18 September are advised to make allowances for potential localised travel disruptions and avoid all large street gatherings as a standard precaution.
 
FINLAND (COUNTRYWIDE) - A number of Finland's major labour unions are calling for a countrywide strike on 18 September. The strike is in opposition to government austerity measures, specifically its labour reform programme. The strike is expected to impact on most air, road, rail and sea transportation services. Finnair has specifically stated that its flight schedule will be disrupted while all flights to and from the country are likely to face significant disruption from 11:00 to 13:00 local time, should the strike proceed. Unconfirmed reports indicate that taxi services in the capital, Helsinki, will be unaffected on 18 September. A related demonstration will be held in Helsinki from 11:00 to 13:00. The street march will begin at the Central Railway Station (Helsingin paarautatieasema); the end point is unclear. Should it proceed, the strike will be one of the largest in recent times and is likely to have a wide ranging impact on 18 September, with possible knock-on disruptions for certain services until 20 September. The protest in Helsinki is expected to be well attended. Localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the rail station and throughout central Helsinki during the demonstration period. The threat of violence at the protest is considered low; however, minor or low-level confrontations cannot be fully discounted. Persons intending to travel in Finland between 18 and 20 September should contact their travel provider or the relevant Finnish transport authority for an update on the status of their transport service(s) and for travel alternatives. Clients should consider alternative forms of transport on the day, including car rental. The demonstration in Helsinki should be avoided as a standard precaution.

ATG is monitoring this event and will advise if any passengers may be affected. 

URUGUAY (COUNTRYWIDE) - The Teachers' Association of Uruguay (ADEMU) has called for a 24-hour countrywide strike in Uruguay on 17 September. The strike will coincide with a PIT-CNT partial strike from 09:00 to 13:00 local time. A related protest will take place in the capital, Montevideo, on the day. Participants will gather at the intersection of Avenida 18 de Julio and Ejido Street, before proceeding to Andes. Associated ADEMU demonstrations are anticipated in the country's major urban centres, including Montevideo. Further details are unknown; however, education-related facilities are likely gathering points. Both groups have organised the strike in response to the government's education budget. In addition to the disruption in education sector activities, the protest march in Montevideo and any possible associated protests are likely to result in localised road travel disruptions. The risk of violence at strike-related protests is considered low; however, confrontations between demonstrators and the police remain possible. Clients in Uruguay on 17 September are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate localised disruptions in Montevideo on the day.

INDIA (JAMMA AND KASHMIR STATE) - Separatist leaders in India have called for a general strike, known locally as a bandh, in the country's northern Jammu and Kashmir state on 16 September. The strike action has been called by leaders of the Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). The agitation is in protest against the recent killing of three civilians in the Pattan area of Baramulla district on 14 September. Disruptions to business and travel should be expected on 16 September as a result of the general strike. Associated protests during the strike action are also possible. These are likely to centre on the Baramulla district. It should be noted that there is a risk of civil unrest at all protests in India, and the possibility of violence between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir state (except the eastern Ladakh region) is advised against. Travellers in the region on 16 September should reconfirm all scheduled transportation services with their travel provider or the relevant transport authority, and adjust itineraries to cater for potential delays. All protests, public gatherings and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a standard precaution.

UNITED STATES (CALIFORNIA) - (Update) Wildfires, which have displaced approximately 23,000 people and destroyed hundreds of residential properties, continue to affect the US state of California on 15 September. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current) states that there are two major fires impacting on the state. The Valley Fire is burning in the Lake, Napa and Solano counties and the Butte Fire is affecting the Amador and Calaveras counties. The fires are 15 and 37 percent contained, respectively. Evacuation orders remain in place for a number of communities within these counties. The information is accurate as of 07:30 local time on 15 September. The wildfires coincide with the US summer period (May to September). California has been severely affected in 2015, with numerous devastating wildfires impacting on the state. Rural areas have been particularly badly affected due to an ongoing drought. Wildfires regularly result in the evacuation of small communities and the closures of major and secondary road routes. Disruptions to amenities, including power supply, should also be anticipated in affected areas. Persons in or planning on travelling to the affected areas in the aforementioned counties should monitor local media for regular updates on the situation. Clients should also adhere to all advisories and evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. If travelling by car in an affected area, ensure that all windows are closed and that the air conditioning system is adjusted to prevent smoke from entering the vehicle.

EGYPT (NORTH SINAI GOVERNORATE) - (Update) A counterinsurgency operation, titled Martyr's Right, is ongoing in Egypt's North Sinai governorate in and around the towns of el-Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuwayid. The military claims to have killed 415 militants and arrested 300 others since the start of the operation on 7 September, with claims that 55 militants were killed on 15 September alone. Casualty numbers have not been independently confirmed. Egyptian military operations against militants in the Sinai Peninsula are regularly reported and have been a common feature of the local security environment for a number of years. An increase in the frequency of associated clashes and retaliatory attacks by militants are likely during the current operation. Clients should note that retaliatory militant action could occur in the North Sinai governorate or elsewhere in the country. State facilities and personnel remain the most likely target of militants. Non-Sunni Muslim and foreign interests are also occasionally targeted. Clients are advised against all travel to the North Sinai governorate. Travel in the area should be conducted with a close protection officer and following consultation with a security provider. Persons in Egypt should exercise caution and seek to avoid unnecessary travel near state facilities and personnel.

MULTIPLE COUNTRIES (AUSTRIA-GERMANY shared boarder) - (Update) Austrian rail operator (OEBB ) has ordered the suspension of international rail services between Austria's Salzburg station and Germany's Freilassing station. The operator also indicated that replacement busses or alternative transportation will not be made available. Border-control measures have caused significant cancellations and delays on the Salzburg line amid the large number of migrants/ refugees arriving, prompting the operator's decision to suspend services for an indefinate duration. Thousands of refugees from conflict-affected states, particularly those affected by Syria's civil war, have travelled into and through Eastern Europe and on to countries such as Austria and Germany. The local authorities across the region have struggled to cope with the unprecedented immigration, and several states have taken or are taking steps to secure their borders. A continuation of this trend is anticipated and further disruptions to international rail services should be anticipated in the region. The status of border crossings should be confirmed prior to departure. Itineraries should also be adjusted to accommodate potential delays and disruptions. 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.



 

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