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

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS CO. - All Nippon Airways Co. launched a service Sunday between Narita airport and Brussels, making the Belgian capital and home of the European Union its sixth European destination. In a move targeting mainly business travelers, the carrier will fly to Brussels once a day. It comes after its launch last month of a Narita-Kuala Lumpur route. Also Sunday, ANA suspended its Narita-Paris route and will instead divert all flights to and from the French capital to Tokyo's Haneda airport. Located closer to central Tokyo, Haneda formerly served mostly domestic flights when Narita opened in 1978 for international services. However, international flights have increased at Haneda since a fourth runway was completed in 2010.
 
AMERICAN AIRLINES - American Airlines will introduce a no-frills fare "sometime in 2016" to compete with low-cost carriers, executives said during the carrier's third-quarter earnings call Friday. American president Scott Kirby hinted that the fare will be similar to the Basic Economy fare Delta Air Lines introduced in 2014, which includes no advance seat selection and no changes or refunds. "We will do more to disaggregate the product and try to have a product that has less frills because of the cheap price," Kirby said. "This will allow us to compete with the ultra-low-cost carriers ... and, for customers who want a better product and better seats, give them a choice of not paying that fare and getting a better product."  

INDIA(DELHI) - Elevated security measures have been put in place in India's capital, Delhi, for the India-Africa summit, underway until 30 October. Although the event has commenced, the security measures are in place for 29 and 30 October, when approximately 40 heads of state will be in attendance. An additional 25,000 security force members have been deployed at key sites across the city, but especially at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, located at Indraprastha Estate in the east of the city, where the main event is being held. Hundreds of CCTV cameras have been installed and multiple roads have been closed in the city. The additional security measures have been implemented due to the threat of attacks by ideologically motivated groups who may use the summit to draw attention to their respective causes. As a result of these measures, significant congestion is expected, especially over 29 and 30 October, in central Delhi and in the vicinity of the summit venue.  Clients in Delhi are advised to exercise caution for the duration of the summit and to report all suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles to authorities. In addition, clients should anticipate localised travel disruptions.  

BANGLADESH - Heightened security measures have been implemented at several airports in Bangladesh since 25 October, possibly resulting in disruptions when transiting the facility in the short-term. The impacted airports include Shahjalal International Airport, which serves the capital, Dhaka, as well as Shah Amanat International Airport and Osmani International Airport, located in the cities of Chittagong and Sylhet, respectively. Additional security personnel have been deployed to these facilities and restrictions on movements within the airports are in place for those who do not have confirmed travel documents. Key infrastructure, such as transport hubs and government buildings, have also been subject to increased levels of security. The measures have been put in place following an as yet undisclosed security alert received by intelligence authorities in the country pertaining to possible 'subversive activities'. The nature of the threat received is not clear at present; nonetheless, the measures are likely to result in delays when transiting the aforementioned airports. Clients intending to use airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet in the coming days are advised to allow additional time to transit the facilities. Persons are advised to report any suspicious people, packages or activities to authorities immediately.  

INDONESIA(CENTRAL JAKARTA) - Various trade unions, including the National Workers Union (SPN) and Confederation of Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (KSBSI), have called on all affiliated members to participate in a strike of indefinite duration and associated protest action from 27 October. Protesters are expected to gather in front of the Presidential Palace in central Jakarta on 27 October. Further information is not available. The labour action has been called in opposition to a minimum wage bill recently proposed by the government. An estimated 10,000 unionised workers are expected to participate in the labour action. Significant travel disruptions and a heightened police presence should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest location. Demonstrations and protests based on political, socio-economic and religious issues occur regularly in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta. Although demonstrations are largely peaceful in nature, these do have the potential to turn violent; as such, gatherings of this nature should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients in Jakarta are advised to make allowances for possible road travel disruptions and avoid all protests and related gatherings. Local media should be monitored for information regarding further possible strikes and demonstrations.  

REPUBLIC OF CONGO - (Update) Further protest action is expected in the Republic of Congo over the near-term following the release of the results of a controversial referendum, on 27 October. The referendum was held to decide if incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso will be able to amend the constitution, allowing him to run for a third term in the country's 2016 presidential election. The results indicated that, with a turnout of 72 percent, 92 percent of voters were in favour of Nguesso amending the constitution. The results of the referendum are highly disputed; the political opposition boycotted the referendum, stating it's belief that turnout was low, thus indicating that voter fraud was likely. Moreover, the referendum was held in an environment of considerably heightened political tensions, and was preceded by violent protests on several occasions, including on 20 October, when at least four people were killed when security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital, Brazzaville. The capital and other major urban centres, such as Pointe-Noire, are likely to remain focal points for protest action. Precedent suggests that the threat of violence at all protests, especially those carrying an anti-government sentiment, is elevated. Security forces are likely to use heavy-handed tactics, including the use of live fire, to disperse crowds and in dealing with dissent. As such, the incidental risk to foreign nationals in the country is high. Persons in the Republic of Congo are advised to monitor local developments closely at this time. All demonstrations and large street gatherings should be avoided as a precaution. Clients are further advised to revise contingency plans and to register their presence in the country with their respective diplomatic representation.  

PANAMA(PANAMA CITY) - Teachers' unions are set to stage a protest march in Panama's capital, Panama City, on 28 October. The march has been called over an ongoing dispute with the government regarding a number education sector issues, including teachers' wages and inadequate facilities. Participants are expected to gather outside the Escuela Republica de Venezuela on Calle 25 Este, from 14:00 local time, and proceed to Palacio de las Garzas on Eloy Alfaro Avenue.  Although the rally is expected to conclude peacefully, the potential for unrest cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions should be expected along the protest route and demonstration-affected sites. Due to the ongoing education sector grievances, further such demonstrations are expected in the short- to medium-term. Persons in Panama City on 28 October are advised to avoid the march and any related gatherings as a precaution. Localised travel delays should be expected.  

CAMBODIA(PHNOM PENH) - Further protest action is possible in Cambodia in the coming days, following a protest that degenerated into violence in the capital, Phnom Penh, on 26 October. The rally was held by supporters of the incumbent Cambodian Peoples' Party (CPP) in response to comments made by the leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) that were perceived to be critical of the government. During the protest, which took place in front of the National Assembly Building, two CNRP legislators were pulled from their cars and assaulted. Although there have been no further such incidents, the protest and assaults may spark counter-protests from CNRP supporters. Should such action take place, it is likely to focus on the National Assembly Building or Freedom Park, also in the capital. It should be noted that all demonstrations in Cambodia have the potential to rapidly degenerate into violence, as security forces are known to use heavy-handed tactics to disperse gatherings, particularly if these are unsanctioned. In addition, travel disruptions in the vicinity of such gatherings and any related protests should be anticipated. Persons in Phnom Penh in the coming days are advised to avoid all protest gatherings, as the possibility of violent civil unrest cannot be discounted. Furthermore clients should monitor local media for announcements of further related gatherings. Clients should make provisions for travel disruptions and plan accordingly.

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