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

GERMANY (LUFTHANSA) - A strike by Lufthansa flight attendants' union, which has been ongoing since last Friday, will grow larger beginning Wednesday morning. The union, UFO, has called on members to expand the strike to all Lufthansa routes in or out of Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich between 4 a.m. German local time Wednesday and the end of Friday. Germany is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. The strike applies only to Lufthansa, and not to other Lufthansa Group airlines. The broadening of the strike will come at the end of its fourth active day. The UFO said it took a reprieve from the action on Sunday as a concession to leisure travelers. On Tuesday, Lufthansa cancelled 126 long-haul ad 10 intra-Europe flights as cabin workers sat out designated routes in and out of Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf. Lufthansa's 19,000 flight attendants are calling for transition benefits should they retire early. The union rejected Lufthansa's most recent offer, put forward Monday. Lufthansa had petitioned a German court to end the strike. The airline is asking customers to go to LH.com for more information on their flights.

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

UNITED STATES (UNITED AIRLINES) - The Justice Department filed a suit against United Airlines in an effort to block what federal authorities characterized as the carrier's attempt to monopolize departures and landings at Newark Airport. Specifically, the suit asks the court to invalidate an agreement that United entered into in June with Delta. Under the deal, Delta would lease to United 22 year-round Newark takeoff and landing slots in addition to two summer season slots, the suit says. In exchange, United would lease Delta 24 year-round slots at Kennedy Airport as well as three summer slots and three winter slots. Slots, which are takeoff and landing authorizations issued by the FAA, are precious in the New York City area, where regulators use them to manage airport congestion. The Justice Department is accusing United, which already controls 73 % of Newark's 1,233 daily slots, of attempting to restrain interstate trade and commerce in violation of federal antitrust laws. "A slot is essentially a license to compete at Newark," Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer said in a prepared statement Tuesday. "United already holds most of them, and as a result, competition at Newark is in critically short supply. United is already extracting a 'Newark premium.' Airfares at Newark are among the highest in the country while United's service at Newark ranks among the worst." Due to its role in the proposed slot swap with United, Delta is also named in the suit. "With three major airports, the New York/Newark area is the most competitive air transportation market in the country," the carrier said. "We firmly believe this transaction benefits our customers and the region by enabling us to enhance service at our Newark hub and manage congestion at the airport. We will vigorously defend our ability to operate effectively, efficiently and competitively at Newark." According to the suit, the proposed deal with Delta is the continuance of an effort United began in the summer of 2014 to acquire more landing slots at Newark. The DOJ rejected United's July 2014 proposal to acquire 36 slots from Southwest. Likewise, the DOJ rejected a United proposal in March to provide 26 Kennedy slots to American in exchange for 18 of American's slots at Newark. The DOJ says that when United is faced with route competition out of Newark, airfares go down. For example, when Southwest introduced flights from Newark to St. Louis after obtaining slots in 2010, fares on that route decreased 27 % year over year. Similarly, fares between Newark and Houston dropped 15 % after Southwest began competing with United on that route.

RUSSIA (ROSTOV-ON-DON) - Flight disruptions have been reported at the Rostov-on-Don airport, in Russia, on 11 November, after the facility was evacuated due to a bomb threat. The anonymous threat is believed to have been made telephonically. Flights at the facility have been suspended as security personnel conduct further investigations into the threat. Additional delays and disruptions to flight schedules, as well as an increased security force presence, should be anticipated at Rostov-on-Don airport at this time. Clients are advised to follow the directives of local authorities. Furthermore, clients are advised to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious packages, persons and/or activity to the relevant authorities. Persons scheduled to transit Rostov-on-Don airport are advised to contact their airline or travel provider to inquire about the status of their flight(s).

UNITED KINGDOM (WALES) - Arriva Trains Wales has cancelled all rail services ahead of an expected strike by unionized train drivers in Wales on 12 and 13 November. The RMT and Aslef unions have called on their members to observe strike action from 00:01 on 12 November to 23:59 on 13 November, due to a long-running wage dispute with Arriva. The strike is expected to affect urban, intercity and regional rail services throughout Wales; a number of services in West Midlands, in England, may also be affected. In addition to cancellations on the strike-affected days, residual disruptions to services should be anticipated beyond the strike period due to the backlog. Arriva has not made contingency plans should the strike go ahead. Accordingly, an increased demand for alternate forms of transport should be anticipated. Negotiations aimed at averting the industrial action are ongoing; as such, the strike may yet be suspended on short notice. Persons in Wales on 12 and 13 November are advised to monitor local media for announcements regarding the industrial action and to contact their travel provider for updates on the status of rail services.

UNITED KINGDOM - Rail passengers will be able to use their pay-as-you-go Oyster cards to travel from London to Gatwick airport from January 2016. The Department of Transport announced the move today (November 10) following a deal between Transport for London and rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs the Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink services. The contract will also mean that rail users will be able to use other forms of contactless payment when travelling between London and Gatwick. Oyster cards will also be accepted at five stations on the route to Gatwick: Horley, Salfords, Earlswood, Redhill and Merstham. Rail minister Claire Perry said: "This extension of Oyster and contactless embraces some of the latest technology, making journeys easier for customers, offering them a vastly more convenient option." London mayor Boris Johnson added: "By providing a quick and easy way to pay, our Oyster and contactless ticketing has transformed the way people get around our capital.

"We've already extended this on a number of key routes outside of London and it makes perfect sense for Londoners, commuters and passengers from around the world to benefit from this further link to Gatwick." From January, customers using pay-as-you-go Oyster cards on Southern and Thameslink services from central London to Gatwick will pay Ł14 in rush hour or Ł8 off-peak. The current peak paper ticket single fare is Ł15.40. Gatwick Express single fares will be Ł19.80 on pay-as-you-go, compared to Ł19.90 when purchased at Gatwick or Victoria rail stations.

Gatwick chief commercial officer Guy Stephenson said: "Gatwick's passengers will welcome the introduction of Oyster and contactless payments at the airport as the most convenient way to pay for onward rail travel to London. "It means a single ticketless system will link Gatwick with the whole of Greater London so passengers can benefit from seamless connections to and throughout the capital."

BRAZIL (SAO PAULO) - Localized travel disruptions have been reported in Sao Paulo, Brazil, due to strike action by unionized taxi drivers represented by Simtetaxis (Union of Taxi Drivers in Business in the State of Sao Paulo) on 11 November. The striking taxi drivers began gathering at Charles Miller Square in the city's Pacaembu neighborhood at 07:00 local time; unconfirmed reports indicate that they intend to march towards the Palacio dos Bandeirantes (Bandeirantes Palace) at 10:00. The strike action and associated demonstration have reportedly been called to protest against Uber services in the city, among other sector-related grievances. Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers; ride requests are then sent to member drivers. Local taxi drivers consider this an uncompetitive practice and, therefore, a threat to their business. It is currently unclear how long the strike will last. As such, localized disruptions to travel should be anticipated for the immediate-term. Furthermore, it should be noted that the strike action may result in an increased demand for alternative forms of transport in the city. Persons currently in Sao Paulo are advised to monitor local media for updates on the strike action and any related demonstrations. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for potential travel disruptions in the vicinity of any strike-related protest action.

SOUTH AFRICA (CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE) - Localized travel disruptions have been reported in Cape Town, in South Africa's Western Cape province, due to an ongoing protest action by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) on 11 November. Unionized public sector employees are reportedly agitating over various grievances, including poor working conditions. Protesters have gathered outside the Parliament precinct, where participants reportedly disrupted a police committee meeting held earlier in the day. Riot police have been deployed to the scene and have resorted to using teargas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Strikes and demonstrations stemming from political issues and labor disputes are common in South Africa. Such gatherings frequently turn violent, disrupting traffic, businesses and service delivery. Disruptions to travel and business services in the vicinity of Parliament are expected to continue for the duration of the protest. Persons in Cape Town are advised to avoid the affected area until the situation has stabilized. Local media should be monitored for updates on the demonstration, as well as advisories from the local authorities. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to allow for travel delays in the protest-affected area.

CHILE (ELQUI PROVINCE) - A 6.9 magnitude earthquake has been reported approximately 93 km north west of Coquimbo, located in Chile's Elqui province, on 11 November. There have been no immediate reports of property damage and/or casualties. Aftershocks are possible in the affected area. No tsunami warnings or evacuation orders have been issued. Chile is situated in a seismically active region and earthquakes are regularly reported. There is a subsequent risk of tsunamis in areas situated along the country's western coastline. Major earthquakes have occurred in recent years, including a recent 6.0 magnitude earthquake on 5 October near Coquimbo. Clients in the affected region should anticipate possible aftershocks in the coming hours. Clients in the affected area are advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for updates and advisories.

LIBYA (BENGHAZI) - Conflict in Libya's north eastern city of Benghazi left 13 Libyan National Army (LNA) members dead on 10 November. The deaths coincided with LNA operations in multiple areas of the city. LNA forces reportedly captured three areas near the Benina International Airport from the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries, a militant coalition which includes Ansar al-Sharia. Fighting over the past week has also impacted on the Hawari, Leithi and city center areas. Benghazi has been beset by fighting since 2013. The LNA has gained the advantage in much of the city but continues to fight militant forces in a number of areas. In addition to the Shura Council forces, militants linked to the Islamic State have also increased activity in the city over the past year. Clients are advised against all travel to Libya. Persons intending to travel to the country should do so following a full security risk assessment compiled by their security provider. Crisis management plans should also be reviewed and updated.

YEMEN (SANAA) - (Update) The US government issued a statement on 10 November claiming that one of two US contractors, John Hamen, detained by Houthi forces in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on 20 October, has since died. The cause of his death is unknown. The second contractor remains incarcerated. The two were detained on arrival at Sanaa International Airport, the reasons for their detention are unknown. Sanaa is controlled by the Shiite militia, the Houthis. The group is strongly anti-Western and is involved in an ongoing battle against military forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The conflict has increased travel and operating risks for foreign nationals. The risk of extra-judicial detention, possibly politically motivated, and kidnapping for ransom or political motives has also increased since late 2014. Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen. Persons operating in the country should ensure that crisis management plans are regularly reviewed and updated with a security provider. Persons intending to travel in the country should do so with a security escort and should reside in secure accommodation.

KOSOVO (PEJA) - Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) are set to stage a demonstration in the western city of Peja on 11 November. The veterans have gathered in the central Shkelzen Haradinaj Square ahead of the 12:00 local time commencement of the demonstration. The demonstration has been organized against a number of anti-war statements made by the major of Peja, Gazmend Muhaxheri. KLA veterans periodically engage in protests in Kosovo. In recent months, the veterans have agitated against the establishment of a special war tribunal to address alleged war crimes committed during the Kosovo War; several KLA members have been accused of such abuses to date. The tribunal is a highly emotive topic, which has polarised Kosovars, often along ethnic lines. The possibility of altercations between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Due to the emotive nature of the protest, further such events are expected in the short- to medium-term. Persons in Peja on 11 November are advised to monitor local media for announcements regarding the demonstration. Clients are also advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution.

HONDURAS (TEGUCIGALPA) - Activist groups, including Plataforma Indignada, are set to stage a protest march in in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on 13 November. The protest has been called against alleged government corruption and maladministration. Participants are expected to gather outside the Plaza Miraflores from 17:00 local time and proceed to the Presidential Palace, where a rally will be held. The upcoming protest is the latest in a series of anti-corruption protests in the city in recent months. While the march is expected to conclude peacefully, protests in Honduras have the potential to turn violent, and security forces are known to use heavy-handed tactics in dealing with dissent. As such, the possibility of isolated skirmishes occurring during the upcoming march cannot be discounted. Localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of related gatherings. Persons in Tegucigalpa on 13 November are advised to avoid all large street gatherings as a precaution and make allowances for localized travel disruptions.

SRI LANKA (NORTHERN PROVINCE) - Opposition groups, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), have called for a general strike in several districts of Sri Lanka's Northern Province on 13 November. The strike, which is set to affect Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, has been called to demand the release of Tamil political leaders. The action is likely to be well supported; as such, disruptions to transport and business services are anticipated. Although the planned strike is expected to pass without significant incident, there remains the potential for associated protest action. The possibility of violence during such events cannot be discounted. Clients are advised to exercise heightened caution in areas within the Northern Province. Persons in the aforementioned areas during the strike should limit travel, if possible, avoid all protests and confirm the status of scheduled transport services with their travel provider or the local transport authority prior to departure.

BULGARIA (SOFIA) - Environmental activists have stated their intention to stage a demonstration against construction projects in Bulgaria's national parks, in central Sofia, on 11 November. The activists are expected to gather in Patriarch Evtimii Square (also known as Popa Square), near Vasil Levski Boulevard, at 18:30 local time before proceeding to the Ministry of Environment and Water building. Protests and demonstrations take place sporadically in Bulgaria, particularly in Sofia, and are typically prompted by domestic and/or political developments. Although the upcoming demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of low-level incidents of unrest cannot be discounted. Localized travel disruptions in the vicinity of the protest-affected areas are anticipated. Persons in Sofia on 11 November are advised to avoid all large gatherings as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate any potential travel disruptions.

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