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

AMERICAN AIRLINES - Next year, American Airlines will introduce premium economy cabins on international flights on wide-body aircraft, and Alaska Airlines will add them on as many as 60 aircraft. American will introduce Boeing 787-9s to its fleet, in which Premium Economy will span three rows of seven seats each. American also will install Premium Economy on Airbus A350s when those planes begin service in 2017, and over the next three years, it will retrofit Boeing 777-300ERs, 777-200ERs and 787-8 Dreamliners and Airbus A330s. It will not update Boeing 767-300s, which are slated for retirement. Premium Economy is offered today by many premier carriers around the world," American Airlines chief marketing officer Andrew Nocella said in a statement. "We studied those offerings and developed a world-class product with larger seats, more legroom, improved entertainment and upscale headphones and amenity kits." The cabins will feature leather seats with 38 inches of pitch. Passengers also will get priority boarding, two free checked bags and complimentary alcoholic beverages. American also will continue to offer Main Cabin Extra seats, which feature extra legroom, on flights with Premium Economy cabins. Alaska is retrofitting Boeing 737-800s and 737-900/900ERs, as well as the SkyWest-operated Embraer 175s. The carrier expects to upgrade its entire fleet by the end of 2017. The Premium Economy seats will feature three or four inches of additional legroom and extra pitch and will include priority boarding and other amenities. American, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines already offer premium options like extra legroom and other bonus amenities in economy class, which has prompted corporate travel buyers to adjust travel policies. Until now, though, only non-U.S. carriers have offered premium economy in distinct cabins.

UNITED AIRLINES - Beginning in February, United Airlines will offer free packaged snacks in economy cabins on North American and Latin American flights. Options will include caramel-filled waffle cookies on morning flights and Asian-style snack mixes, pretzel sticks and flavored soy nuts on afternoon and evening flights. The carrier is overhauling its food and beverage offerings, which includes free meals in economy on flights between the United States and select South American cities and free wine and beer for economy passengers on some international flights. The carrier also will upgrade to Illy coffee next summer.

TAIWAN(TAOYUAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(TAIPEI)) - The Civil Aeronautics Administration has been conducting a series of technical tests at Taoyuan International Airport, which serves Taiwan's capital, Taipei, since 7 December. The testing period is expected to conclude on 18 December. Disruptions should be anticipated for the remainder of the testing period; tests have been conducted daily between 06:00 and 09:00 local time as well as 14:00 and 16:00. Taoyuan International Airport has recently undergone extensive maintenance and construction work on its north and south runways. The south runway is nearly completed and has been equipped with advanced navigation assistance that needs to be tested before scheduled flights are allowed to operate on the runway. The airport has implemented mechanisms to reduce disruptions and delays; however, moderate interruptions to scheduled services have been reported since 7 December and are likely to persist for the duration of the aforementioned testing period. Clients intending to transit Taoyuan International Airport should anticipate flight disruptions and are advised to contact their airline or travel provider to confirm the status of their flight(s).

UNITED KINGDOM(LONDON) - The UK's Stop the War Coalition will lead a major demonstration in London on 12 December against the British bombing campaign in Syria. The demonstration is expected to commence at 12:00 local time on Portland Place, outside the BBC Broadcasting House in the central Marylebone area of the city. The demonstration is expected to be well attended and localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated on Portland Place and adjacent streets. The risk of low-level confrontations between protesters and police cannot be dismissed. Clients in London on 12 December are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential localised travel delays.

FRANCE(PARIS) - Multiple illegal demonstrations are expected across central Paris on 12 December following the end of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) on 11 December. Protests are anticipated at the Champ de Mars, the Ecole Militaire Metro along Avenue de la Motte Picquet, near the RER-C Champ de Mars-Tour-Eiffel train station and the Bir-Hakeim Metro. The Champ de Mars protest in front of the Eiffel Tower will begin at 14:00 local time, and is set to be the largest of the planned gatherings. Climate change and civil society groups are expected to turn out in large numbers as part of a coordinated series of demonstrations to draw attention to issues related to climate change. Demonstrations in Paris are usually peaceful; however, the potential for low-level violence is credible due to the prohibition of public space protests under the three-month state of emergency proclaimed after the 13/14 November Paris attacks. Recent protests on 30 November were met by riot police using teargas, sound bombs and pepper spray to disperse protesters. Over 200 demonstrators were arrested. Clients in central Paris are advised to avoid street protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates regarding additional demonstrations and should take into account probable disruptions to businesses in the area and traffic delays.

GERMANY(BERLIN) - Pro-Palestinian activists, led by the European Alliance in Defence of Palestinian Detainees, have called for a protest against a conference on the rule of law, which will feature the Israeli Minister of Justice, Ayelet Shaked, in central Berlin on 10 December. The demonstration will take place on Mohren Street, outside the Federal Ministry of Justice building, from 17:00 to 19:00 local time. It is unclear how well attended the gathering will be; however, previous pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Berlin have been well supported. Regardless, localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstration. While the protest is expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of low-level skirmishes cannot be discounted. Persons in the aforementioned area on 10 December are advised to keep itineraries flexible to accommodate potential disruptions. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

AUSTRALIA(SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND) - Severe thunderstorms and winds have been reported in South East Queensland, Australia, on 10 December. Power disruptions have been reported in Logan, Beaudesert, Redland City, Cleveland, Jimboomba and Moreton Bay. Severe winds have damaged power infrastructure and resulted in power disruptions in as many as 50,000 homes and businesses across the affected area. Authorities have declared Jimboomba and Logan among the worst-affected areas. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe thunderstorm warning in the affected areas. The storm is expected to continue moving in a north easterly direction towards the Gold Coast metropolitan region. Brisbane is expected to be impacted, although to a lesser degree, from late 10 December. Australia is prone to storm systems between the months of October and April, often resulting in heavy rainfall in the country's eastern regions, including South East Queensland and the Gold Coast region. Adverse weather conditions in the affected areas may result in travel delays and further disruptions to electricity supply due to the extensive infrastructural damage. Utility disruptions to water and telecommunications are also possible. Further severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rain and potential hail storms, are expected to affect the aforementioned areas in the near-term. Persons in the affected areas are advised to follow the directives of the local authorities, and monitor local media or the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for any updates. Allowances should be made for potential disruptions to travel, as well as utilities such as electricity and water. Persons in the affected areas should keep clear of fallen or damaged power lines and infrastructure.

SYRIA(AL-HASAKAH GOVERNORATE) - The Islamic State (IS) released 25 persons, described as Assyrian Christians, on 9 December. The group has reportedly arrived back in the town of Tal Tamr, located in Syria's north eastern al-Hasakah governorate. The group was part of a larger number of Assyrian Christians abducted by IS in the governorate during an IS offensive in February 2015. IS has since released a number of hostages taken in February, following negotiations mediated by local Arab tribal representatives. Approximately 100 people remain in captivity. IS initially demanded a ransom of US$100,000 per hostage. This amount has reportedly since been halved. It is unclear if a payment was made for the recent release of hostages. In addition, media reports on 8 December indicate that five Russian nationals have been executed by IS on espionage charges. The report follows the execution of a Russian national on the same charges a week before. Further details regarding these incidents are unclear. The kidnapping risk in Syria is rated as extreme. IS is one of several prominent groupings in the country which use kidnapping for ransom and political motivations. The group is thought to be holding a number of local and foreign nationals captive. The revenue generated by ransoms combined with its black market oil sales provides the group with significant revenue stream. IS also utilises kidnappings and executions of foreign nationals to threaten foreign states arrayed against it, including Russia, the UK and US. Clients are advised against all travel to Syria. Persons operating in the country should obtain regular route and itinerary-specific risk assessments from their security provider, preferably prior to travel. Clients should travel with a security escort and seek to avoid conflict-affected areas.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO(ITURI INTERIM ADMINISTRATION & THE HAUT-UELE DISTRICT(ORIENTALE PROVINCE)) - Approximately 47 local nationals were abducted by unidentified militia from mining areas between the towns of Niania (Ituri Interim Administration) and Isiro (Haut-Uele district) in the Orientale province, in the north east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, overnight on 5/6 December. The whereabouts of the victims are unknown. A number of armed groups operate in the Orientale province, including the former Uganda-based rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), the Front for Patriotic Resistance in Ituri (FRPI) and a number of local Mai-Mai militia. Insecurity in the region has increased following the recent reduction of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) troop numbers. Conflict and associated kidnappings by these groups are frequently reported and are likely to continue over the medium-term. Due to various security concerns, particularly that of conflict, clients are advised against all travel to the Ituri Interim Administration and the Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele districts of Orientale province. Persons currently in or intending to travel to the region are advised to register their presence with their respective diplomatic representations, restrict movements to major urban centres, and ensure that robust travel, residential and personal security measures are in place at all times.

IRAN(SISTAN VA BALUCHESTAN PROVINCE) - A bomb exploded in Nikshahr, a town located in Iran's south eastern province of Sistan va Baluchistan on 9 December, killing at least four people and wounding several others. Police officials were among the victims. Iran's Sistan va Baluchestan province periodically experiences such acts of violence, including confrontations between security force personnel and criminal and rebel groupings. The insecurity is driven, in part, by an ongoing separatist campaign by Baluch armed groups, including Jundallah and Jaish-ul Adl. Due to the general insecurity in the region, further such incidents are expected. Due to a number of security concerns, all travel to the south eastern province of Sistan va Baluchestan is advised against. Persons in the region are advised to adopt heightened security measures, including the use of a security escort, and should reside in secure accommodation.

IRAQ - The Turkish deployment of military forces to the Basheeqa camp near the Islamic State (IS)-controlled city of Mosul (Ninewa governorate), in northern Iraq, in early December, in support of pro-Iraq government armed forces, has increased tensions between Turkey and Iraq. Iraq has called for the withdrawal of the Turkish forces; Turkey has refused to withdraw the military personnel, arguing that it has had a military presence in the area in support of pro-government forces and with the consent of Iraq since 2014. Pro-Iran and Iraq government-aligned Shiite militias in Iraq have threatened to use force against Turkish forces in northern Iraq if the latter do not depart. Threats have also been made against 'Turkish interests'. Turkey has since urged its nationals to leave Iraq, except for those based in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-controlled areas of northern Iraq, including Dahuk, Arbil, Sulaymaniyah and Halabja governorates. The risk of conflict between Turkey and pro-Iraq government groups is considered low, as Shiite militias and central government military forces have a minimal presence in the north. The predominantly non-IS military forces in the north are those aligned to the KRG, which has friendly ties with Turkey. The recent Iraqi government position appears to be motivated, in part, by the size of the deployment. Approximately 300 Turkish troops were deployed to the site to support its small contingent of trainers there. In addition, Iraq is an ally of Russia, which is also currently engaged in an ongoing heated dispute with Turkey following the 24 November shooting down by Turkey of a Russian military aircraft over the Syria-Turkey border. Nonetheless, the potential for low-level assaults targeting Turkish interests elsewhere in the country, specifically in central and southern Iraq, where Shiite militias maintain bases of support, remains possible in light of the increasing anti-Turkey rhetoric. Associated anti-Turkey demonstrations are also possible. Should these occur, major cities such as the capital, Baghdad, and areas near Turkish government or business sites are likely gathering points. The risk of confrontations at all protests in Iraq is considered high. Clients are advised against all travel to a number of areas in Iraq. These include the northern Ninewa governorate and Baghdad governorate. Persons operating in northern Iraq are advised to monitor related developments closely. Persons operating near the IS KRG front line should obtain regular updates from their security provider regarding the current dispute. In addition, clients in Iraq should exercise caution near Turkish-related interests. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

LEBANON(BEKAA GOVERNORATE) - Clashes between Hezbollah and militants affiliated with Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) resulted in at least nine fatalities in the Aarsal area of Lebanon's eastern Bekaa governorate on 9 December. According to reports, a contingent of Hezbollah fighters launched attacks on a convoy of JN militants travelling in Wadi al-Khail, near the border with Syria; the Lebanese military also shelled JN positions in the above-mentioned area. The fighting is part of an ongoing Hezbollah and Lebanese military offensive against JN and other Sunni non-state armed groups in the Bekaa governorate, which straddles the shared border between Syria and Lebanon. Sunni militants battling the Syrian regime and its allies, including Hezbollah, in Syria and eastern Lebanon have long sought refuge and maintain a presence in the Aarsal area. Lebanese military and Hezbollah militia action against militants in this area is expected to persist in the near-term. Clients are advised against all travel to within 15km of the shared border with Syria in Lebanon's Bekaa governorate due to various security concerns, including the threat of conflict spillover from Syria into Lebanon, and against all non-essential travel to the rest of the Bekaa governorate. Persons travelling in this area should do so with a security escort and should reside in secure compounds.

BULGARIA - Demonstrations over maternity and child benefits are anticipated in various urban areas of Bulgaria on 10 December. Affected cities and towns include Plovdiv, Burgas, Targovishte, Ruse, Blagoevgrad, Sliven, Peshtera, Gabrovo, Tryavna, Pleven, Kyustendil, Samokov, Stara Zagora, Chirpan, Sopot and Pazardzhik. The demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 11:00 local time and will likely centre on government buildings and major public squares. It is unclear how well attended the demonstrations will be; nonetheless, localised disruptions remain a possibility at all protest sites. While the upcoming demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, the risk of low-level skirmishes cannot be discounted. Clients in Bulgaria on 10 December are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution.

HAITI(PORT-AU-PRINCE) - Human rights activists have called for demonstrations in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on 10 and 12 December. On 10 December, protest groups are expected to gather at the Champ de Mars at 10:00 local time. The 10 December events will mark International Human Rights Day and the 67th anniversary of the declaration of human rights. The demonstrations have also been organised to protest against the 25 October election results, citing electoral irregularities, and to demand a change in the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) ahead of the run-off elections that are scheduled for 27 December. This gathering is the latest in a series of protests that have occurred in the capital in recent weeks regarding the 25 October elections. A spike in opposition protests and election-related rallies is anticipated in Port-au-Prince ahead of, as well as on, 27 December. The CEP headquarters in the Petitionville area remain a flashpoint for protests. Associated protests have been marred by incidents of violence between security forces and protesters, and have caused significant disruptions to road travel in the affected areas. As such, the risk of violence at all upcoming events is credible. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Haiti due to a number of security concerns. Persons in the country, specifically Port-au-Prince, are advised to monitor local developments and to avoid all politically motivated gatherings and concentrations of security force personnel. Clients in Haiti during the upcoming election period are advised to exercise heightened caution and to avoid polling stations, political party offices and election-related facilities.

HONDURAS(TEGUCIGALPA & COMAYAGUELA) - The Plataforma Indignada activist group has organised demonstrations in Honduras on 11 and 12 December. On 11 December, participants are expected to gather at the Corte Suprema de Justicia building at 17:00 local time. On 12 December, a gathering will be held in the Carrizal area of Comayaguela from 16:00. The demonstrations have been called to protest against alleged government corruption as well as to demand the extradition of former president Rafael Romero, who is currently facing corruption charges. The upcoming protest will be the latest in a series of agitations against alleged government corruption since May 2015. Related protests have drawn large crowds and have resulted in localised disruptions in the city. This precedent suggests that localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated at all protest sites. It should be noted that protests in Honduras have the potential to turn violent, and security forces are known to use heavy-handed tactics when dealing with dissent. The risk to foreign travellers is considered incidental. Clients in Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela on 11 and 12 December respectively are advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions and to avoid all large street gatherings as a precaution.

MALTA(PAOLA) - Islamic religious leaders are set to hold a demonstration in Paola, Malta, on 11 December. The demonstration has been called to denounced recent terrorist incidents that have been attributed to Islamic extremist groups. Participants are expected to gather outside the Islamic Center, located on Corradino Road, from 14:00 local time. Further details regarding the demonstration are unavailable. The gathering is expected to conclude peacefully; nonetheless, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the Islamic Center. Persons in Paola on 11 December are advised to avoid all protests and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Furthermore, clients should make allowances for possible travel disruptions at the demonstration-affected site.

KOSOVO(GJILAN) - The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) opposition party has organised a rally in the city of Gjilan, on 12 December. The demonstration has been organised to protest against an EU-brokered deal giving Serb communities in Kosovo greater powers. The protest will also highlight concerns over the demarcation of the border with Montenegro. Opposition members have stated that they intend to host demonstrations in various urban areas across Kosovo over the coming weeks. Kosovo has been affected by numerous anti-government protests in recent weeks; these have deteriorated into violence at times. In light of this, the potential for low-level confrontations at the upcoming rally cannot be discounted. In addition, localised disruptions should be anticipated near the protest site. Clients in Kosovo over the near-term are advised to monitor local media for updates on any upcoming demonstrations. Persons operating in Gjilan on 12 December are advised to avoid all large street gatherings as a standard precaution and to make allowances for potential localised disruptions.

MADAGASCAR(ANTANANARIVO) - Activist and political groups are set to hold a demonstration in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, on 12 December. The demonstration has been called in relation to the ongoing dispute regarding the sovereignty of the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. Participants are expected to gather at the commemorative stone of the 1947 Uprising in the Ambohijatovo area. Further details regarding the demonstration are unavailable. Although the demonstration is expected to conclude without incident, the possibility of low-level clashes between protesters and police officials cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the gathering are anticipated. Persons in Antananarivo on 12 December are advised to monitor local media for related updates and avoid all large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for potential travel delays in the vicinity of any protest gatherings.

MONTENEGRO(PODGORICA) - Opposition groups, including the New Serbian Democracy party are set to stage a protest march in Montenegro's capital, Podgorica, on 12 December. The march has been called in protest of Montenegro's proposed NATO membership. Participants are expected to gather outside the Parliament building, located on Svetog Petra Cetinjskog Boulevard from 18:00 local time; and proceed to march towards the St Peter of Cetinje Monument, located off Dzordza Vasingtona Boulevard. The upcoming protest march is the latest in anti-NATO demonstrations that have been held in the country in recent months. Previous associated demonstrations have been largely peaceful, with reports of isolated skirmishes between participants and police and travel disruptions. The possibility of similar incidents of unrest at the upcoming march, cannot be discounted. Localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of gathering sites. Persons in Podgorica on 12 December are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and related gatherings as a precaution. Clients should also make allowances for localised road traffic disruptions.

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