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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:

UNITED STATES(WASHINGTON, NEW YORK & PHILADELPHIA) - The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, will visit the United States from 22 to 27 September. The Pope is due to arrive at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC at 16:00 local time on 22 September. Between 23 September and 27 September he will visit various cities and sites, including Washington (the White House and US Congress), New York City (United Nations) and Philadelphia. Pope Francis' full itinerary can be accessed on The Holy See website (http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html). The local authorities are expected to increase security at the Pope's points of arrival and departure and at all meeting areas during his stay as a standard precaution. These measures could result in localized road travel and airport disruptions; however, given the location of many of his intended visits, where security is already elevated, additional police measures and disruptions are not expected be noticeable. Clients in Washington (22 to 24 September), New York City (24 and 25 September) and Philadelphia (26 and 27 September), particularly those travelling via air or near the Pope's intended travel areas, should reconfirm the status of their scheduled transport service(s) and adjust itineraries due to possible delays.

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

AUSTRALIA - (Update) Disruptions to airport services have been reported at several major airports across Australia, due to a strike by unionised security and customs staff, on 21 September. Unionised staff have embarked on a 10-day strike, with participants expected to observe a series of two-hour work stoppages during the morning and evening peak hours, throughout the strike period. The action, organised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), has been called in response to poor working conditions and inadequate wages. Several airports are likely to be affected by the action, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney airports. The action is part of an ongoing campaign against government's recent labour policies that have caused a number of redundancies across all sectors, including aviation. The action represents an escalation of the campaign since its launch in early August. It should be noted that action may be suspended, as negotiations between CPSU and authorities may change the status of the action. Nonetheless, disruptions to airport services should be anticipated over the strike period. Persons travelling by air to, from or within Australia are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the action. Clients are further advised to contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s). Allowances should be made for travel disruptions at aforementioned airports.

AIRPORT STOPPAGES ON MONDAY

SYD - (7am-9am and 7pm-9pm)

MEL - (5am-7am and 9pm-11pm)

BNE - (7am-9am and 7pm-9pm)

OOL - (6.40am-8.40am and 7pm-9pm)

CNS - (4am-6am and 6pm-8pm)

ADL - (6.30am-8.30am and 8pm-10pm)

PER - (5.30am-7.30am and 5pm-7pm)

DRW - (4.30am-6.30am and 5pm-7pm)

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

PAKISTAN(BENAZIR BHUTTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) - The runway at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which serves Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, will reportedly be closed daily between 13:00 and 18:00 local time until 27 September, due to maintenance work. Media, citing aviation officials, has stated that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has issued a notice to airlines to adjust their flight schedules. Persons intending to travel via the airport on days preceding 27 September are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s) prior to departure. Please note that due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the Islamabad Capital Territory.

NEW CALEDONIA - Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes reported on Monday that a national union representing air traffic controllers (SNCTA) has issued a strike notice for next weekend. The strike could take place from 26 September, 5:30 pm, until 27 September, 9 am.

TUNISIA - Rail workers aligned with the Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens (SNCFT) have reportedly called for a strike on 22 September in Tunisia. The strike has been called in response to various grievances. Should the strike proceed, disruptions to some rail services on the day are anticipated. Travellers intending to travel by train on 22 September in Tunisia are advised to contact their travel provider or the relevant rail transport authority for further information on the status of the strike and the potential impact on rail services.

CHILE(CHOAPA PROVINCE) - A 6.3 magnitude earthquake has been reported 52km west of Illapel, in Chile's Choapa province, offshore of the country's western coastline, on 21 September. No tsunami warning has been issued. The earthquake follows a major 8.3 magnitude earthquake on 16 September near Illapel city, which resulted in some infrastructure damage and the temporary displacement of many local residents. Since then the country has experienced dozens of aftershocks of varying magnitudes. Further aftershocks are anticipated over the near-term. Depending on the magnitude or scale of the current and future tremor(s), disruptions to power supply and further damage to infrastructure could result. Due to the possibility of further earthquakes and/or aftershocks in the affected area, clients are advised to take the necessary precautions including following the directives of the local authorities. Clients should monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels, including Chile's National Emergency Office website (http://www.onemi.cl/index.html) for further updates and advisories.

CZECH REPUBLIC(VLASIM) - An explosion has been reported in Vlasim, in the Central Bohemian region of Czech Republic, on 21 September. The explosion allegedly occurred at the Sellier and Bellot ammunitions factory, on Lidicka Street; casualties are feared. The cause of the explosion has not yet been established, however, police and emergency personnel are present in the affected area, which has been cordoned off. Persons in Vlasim are advised to avoid the affected area of the town as a precaution for the immediate-term.

LIBYA(KUFRA) - Rival armed groups clashed in Kufra, south eastern Libya, on 20 September leaving at least 30 people dead. The fighting started after suspected Tibu gunmen launched an incursion into the city. Arab Zwai gunmen resisted the incursion leading to the clashes. Kufra Airport is reportedly closed. Kufra has been affected by regular bouts of violence between the two groups since the end of the civil war in 2011. Tensions between the two communities are partly a consequence of Zwai accusations that Tibu persons are aligned to or supportive of the former Muammar al-Gaddafi regime. Competition over lucrative smuggling routes has also been presented as a possible catalyst for the elevated tensions. In light of the recent killings further retaliatory violence should be anticipated. Clients are advised against all travel to Libya, including Kufra. Persons in or intending to travel to the area should do so with a security escort and should reside in secure accommodation. Travel at night is ill-advised. Concentrations of armed groups or large public gatherings should be avoided.

COLOMBIA(CARTAGENA) - According to reports a female Dutch national was fatally wounded during a boat robbery near Rosario Islands off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, on 19 September. It is alleged that six suspects boarded the victim's sailboat and then proceeded to attack her with a blunt object. The victim's husband escaped unharmed. According to authorities the suspects escaped with 60 euros. Investigations are underway and authorities are offering a reward of 30 million pesos for any information pertaining to the incident. There is a high risk of crime in Colombia. The most commonly reported crimes against foreign visitors are petty in nature and include muggings, assault and robbery, bag-snatching, burglary and opportunistic theft of unattended items, including theft from vehicles. Criminals are usually armed and could resort to force if their demands are not observed. Violent crimes include serious physical assault, carjacking and murder. Murder is more likely to impact on the local population. Many major tourist sites, including Cartagena, have an elevated security presence which mitigates the risk of being affected by violent crime and to a lesser extent, petty crime. Persons who openly display wealth or are inattentive with their belongings are also at greater risk of being affected. Clients are advised to take caution in urban and tourist centres in Colombia, including Cartagena, as there are high levels of crime countrywide involving both petty and violent crime.

NEPAL - (Update) Protests against the promulgation of the new constitution are ongoing as of 21 September. Violent civil unrest has been reported in Biratnagar (Morang district). At least three people have been wounded in clashes between protesters and the security forces in the city. The protests are reportedly being led by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), a coalition of parties opposed to the new constitution. Elsewhere, two police positions were set alight in the Kailali district. The assailants have been identified in the media as members of the Tharuhat Struggle Committee. A bomb also exploded in the Lamki Chuha district near the Mukesh Complex in Lamki Bazaar (Kailali district). There were no casualties. A curfew remains in place in the restive Pursa district on 21 September. A curfew is also in place in a number of areas of the Kailali district, including Tikapur, Bhajani-Trishakti and Dhangadhi. A demonstration in support of the new constitution and against the anti-constitution protests is ongoing in Pokhara. Nepal's Constituent Assembly (CA) approved a long-awaited constitution on 16 September by approximately 90 percent. President Ram Baran Yadav promulgated the charter at a meeting of the CA in the capital, Kathmandu, on 20 September. The charter, which establishes the state as a secular federal republic with seven regions, has been widely opposed by minority groups, including the largely low-land Terai region-based Madhesi and Tharu ethnic groups, who have initiated violent protests in recent weeks against the anticipated passing of the new document. The violence has left at least 40 people dead since early August. Anti-constitution parties are likely to continue to call protests over the near-term. These are likely in the low-land Terai region and possibly, in the capital. In the Terai, the Saptari, Siraha, Udayapur, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali, Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Parsa, Rautahat, Dhanusha and Mahottari districts are particularly susceptible to insecurity. The risk of violence at these events is considered elevated. General strikes and incidents of civil unrest will also result in ongoing travel disruptions. Persons in Nepal, particularly in the Terai region, are advised to monitor local developments closely for information on possible further strikes. All demonstrations and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients operating in the country are further advised to request updates from their security provider. Please note that clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Nepal in light of several safety concerns.

ISRAEL(JERUSALEM & THE WEST BANK) - (Update) The Jewish commemoration of Yom Kippur is scheduled to begin the evening of 22 September, in Israel, concluding the following day. The period overlaps with the Muslim Eid al-Adha period, starting on 24 September. In light of recent violence at the revered al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem's Old City, and the precedent of elevated tensions during major religious periods, local security forces are expected to maintain an elevated alert posture in Jerusalem and the West Bank over the near-term. The Israeli security forces may impose restrictions on Palestinians travelling to and from Israel over this period. Political and communal tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank remain elevated, and the risk of associated unrest for the near-term is assessed to be high, particularly on Friday 18 September, following Muslim midday prayers. Al-Aqsa has been the focal point of recent tensions, with regular low-level clashes reported at the mosque since mid-September, coinciding with the Jewish Rosh Hashanah period. The unrest risk remains elevated in the Old City, East Jerusalem, and areas of the West Bank surrounding Israeli checkpoints, Palestinian refugee camps, religious sites and Jewish settlements. During past incidents of unrest, particularly in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Palestinian protesters have thrown projectiles at private cars and busses. This remains an ongoing risk. Recent incidents have resulted in motorist and passenger casualties. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank. Persons in the West Bank and Jerusalem are advised to monitor local media for developments, exercise caution near protest hotspots and avoid all street protests as a precaution. Clients travelling in the West Bank should consider being escorted by a trusted local, familiar with the security environment, or a trained security driver. Travel should be conducted on main routes and during daylight hours only.

SOUTH AFRICA(CAPE TOWN) - A number of civil organisations, including various Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) organisations and the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), plan to stage a major demonstration at the GrandWest Casino, in Cape Town's Goodwood area, on 21 September. The organisations and their supporters have targeted an international musician, scheduled to perform at the casino, due to his collaboration with a local retailer accused of trading with Israel. The demonstration is planned to coincide with the musician's concert, at 15:00 local time. Significant traffic disruptions are expected in the Goodwood area as a result. Additionally, a large deployment of police is expected. Previous marches organised by South Africa's Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement have been well attended and resulted in significant traffic disruptions. The risk of widespread civil unrest at the event is considered low; however, protests and demonstrations in South Africa have been known to escalate into skirmishes between police and participants. Given the emotive nature of the issue and the fact likelihood of a considerable police presence around the gathering, the possibility of minor confrontations cannot be discounted. Persons in Cape Town should monitor local media for updates on the status of the protest. As a precaution, clients are advised to avoid the vicinity of GrandWest Casino. Allowances should be made for localised traffic disruptions; clients should plan accordingly and ensure their itineraries are kept flexible.

KENYA(NAIROBI) - The activist group, Coalition for Constitution Implementation (CCI), has called for mass demonstrations in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, from 21 to 25 September. Participants are expected to gather outside the Office of the President, located in Harambee Avenue, from 10:00 each day in response to various education sector-related grievances. The protest action is likely to be well supported; as such, localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of Harambee Avenue. The upcoming protest campaign forms part of an ongoing agitation against the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the government's refusal to pay public school teachers a court mandated salary increase. The government asserts that it does not have the finances to pay them. The aforementioned salary dispute has prompted several strikes and associated demonstrations in Kenya since late July, most notably by employees affiliated with the Kenyan National Union of Teachers (KNUT). In response to the persistent industrial actions, the government ordered the closure of all private and public schools from 21 September. It is this directive which served as a catalyst for the upcoming CCI protests. While intended to be peaceful, the anti-government nature of these events suggests that gatherings could be forcefully dispersed by security forces. This is of particular concern if the activists attempt to disrupt business operations along Harambee Avenue. Attempts by security forces to disperse the demonstration could incite retaliatory attacks by protesters which could include, among other activities, stone-throwing, vandalism and the informal blockade of both primary and secondary roads. Persons in Nairobi are advised to monitor local developments and to avoid the protest gatherings and any other related demonstrations. Clients should also ensure that itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate any localised travel disruptions.

KENYA - Heightened security is expected countrywide in Kenya on the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Westgate shopping complex in the capital, Nairobi. Between 21 and 24 September 2013, heavily armed militants attacked the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi's Westlands district, killing 67 people and wounding an estimated 175 others. Heightened security measures, including security checkpoints, random identification checks and road closures, are likely to be implemented at crowded public venues, including shopping malls, public transport hubs, churches and government facilities. The Somalia-based al-Shabaab extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened to execute similar acts of violence in Kenya if the government continued its counterinsurgency operations against the group's interests in neighbouring Somalia. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, confirmed that his government would not cede to al-Shabaab's demands and has continued to clamp down on the group's network, in both Kenya and Somalia. Consequently, the anniversary carries a heightened risk of disruption by al-Shabaab, which will likely prompt a major incursion as a symbolic victory. Clients in Kenya are advised to avoid all commemorative public events, which are a potential targets for terrorist attacks. All suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles should be reported to local authorities.

SOUTH KOREA - The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has called on its members to observe a countrywide strike on 23 September. The strike has been called over various labour disputes, including wages and poor working conditions. An associated demonstration will be held in the capital, Seoul, from 15:00 local time. Further details regarding the demonstration are unavailable. The KCTU has held a number of strikes and demonstrations in recent weeks, with an associated demonstration having taken place on 19 September. While it is unclear how well observed the upcoming strike will be, disruptions to private and public sector services are anticipated. The gathering is expected to conclude peacefully, however, the possibility of the action escalating to violence cannot be discounted. Localised disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of affected sites. Clients in South Korea on 23 September are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the planned strike and associated demonstration. All large street gatherings and concentrations of security force personnel should be avoided as a precaution. Clients should anticipate localised travel disruptions and plan accordingly. Itineraries should be kept flexible to allow for increased travel time.

MYANMAR - There is an elevated risk of unrest in the lead up to Myanmar's general election, scheduled to take place on 8 November. Voting is expected to take place in all constituencies and is expected to result in the appointment of members to all houses, including the House of Nationalities, the Upper House and the House of Representatives. Protests and election-related violence are possible throughout the election period, including pre- and post-election periods, due to elevated political tensions. The upcoming election is set to be Myanmar's first free and inclusive general election since the end of military rule in 2011. Prior to then, Myanmar was led by a military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), which banned opposition parties. In May 1990, the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won 392 of 492 available seats in Parliament in the country's national elections; however, the results were discredited by the military administration, the State Law and Order Council (SLORC), later replaced by the SPDC. The SPDC initiated democratic reforms in 2010 and subsequently announced a new constitution and held national elections. Although new reforms had been implemented, the NLD was prohibited from participating in the election and were declared ineligible based on Myanmar's electoral laws. The pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) overwhelmingly won the election. The NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, will contest the upcoming election and are expected to win a large proportion of the vote after being barred from participating between 1990 and 2010. This change in voting dynamic may serve to elevate tensions between the USDP, other pro-junta parties and opposition groups, most notably the NLD. Additionally, persistent ethnic tensions between Buddhist nationalists and minority Rohingya Muslims have the potential to result in protests and incidents of violent unrest during the upcoming electoral period, when opposition and nationalist groups alike are expected to draw attention to their respective political agendas. These agendas have been dominated by a contentious issue relating to the recent mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from the country; the recent action of the government to assist these groups has increased existing tensions. Consequently, opposition-initiated protests, which could further elevate ethnic tensions, are possible in the medium-term. Although the upcoming election is not expected to be marred by significant levels of violence, election-related as well as anti-government protests have in the past resulted in incidents of civil disorder and violent clashes between protesters and police. As such, clashes between opposition supporters and security forces are possible at upcoming election-related protests. In light of this, robust security measures are likely to be employed across the country ahead of the ballot as well as during the election; these may include security checkpoints, random identification checks, road closures and a number of other movement-restrictive measures. Foreign nationals have not been specifically targeted in violent unrest; however, there is a credible risk to persons in the vicinity of protests and election-related facilities. Clients in or planning to travel to Myanmar in the coming weeks are advised to monitor local political developments closely. All concentrations of security forces, street gatherings and concentrations of security forces should be avoided. Clients in Myanmar during the upcoming election period are advised to exercise heightened caution and avoid all polling stations, political party offices and other election-related facilities.

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