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

UNITED KINGDOM/SPAIN(VUELING) - Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling is to extend its new Heathrow to Barcelona route to a year-round service. Vueling, which is a sister carrier to British Airways as part of IAG, launched the daily Heathrow-Barcelona route on December 17 and had originally planned to operate it until February 25. But the airline will now make it a permanent route. The carrier is also due to begin flights from Luton for summer 2016 starting with a route to Amsterdam Schiphol from March 18. This will initially operate as a daily service before becoming twice daily from April 30. Vueling will also run a Luton-Barcelona route from June 1, which will offer 13 weekly flights in both directions. Adding Luton takes the number of UK and Irish airports from which Vueling operates up to 12 including Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin. Vueling's current CEO Alex Cruz is set to take over as the executive chairman of BA in April 2016.

TANZANIA/KENYA(FASTJET) - African low-cost airline Fastjet is set to launch flights between Tanzania and Kenya next month after securing clearance from the Kenyan government. The carrier plans to begin daily routes between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi and Kilimanjaro to Nairobi from January 11 - one-way fares start from $50 excluding tax. Fastjet also wants to add services between Zanzibar and Nairobi and Dar es Salaam and Mombasa later next year. Fastjet CEO Ed Winter hailed the announcement of services to Kenya as "an important milestone" in the Tanzania-based airline's development. "Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are not only key travel destinations, and two of the busiest airports in the region, but also hubs with extensive regional and international networks," he said. "Expanding the network into Kenya marks an important milestone in Fastjet's strategic development and is a significant achievement for the company, its staff and shareholders." Fastjet is confident it can expand further in 2016 as it expects to receive international route approvals in Zimbabwe "very soon" which will allow the creation of a network from the country. While the application for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Zambia is also due to be completed in early 2016. Less positively, Fastjet has admitted that its revenues for both 2015 and 2016 are likely to be "lower than anticipated" due to "current challenging market conditions and currency headwinds". The airline said that the prolonged presidential election in Tanzania had reduced the demand for business travel by government workers and civil servants, but it was "proactively taking steps to manage" operating costs and overheads to cope with this downturn. "The company remains confident that these actions will ensure it continues to be well placed to capture the significant growth potential in the African aviation market," added Fastjet in a trading statement to investors. "The board believes 2016 will be a year of network growth and that the group is expected to be cash flow positive for the next financial year."

IRELAND/UNITED KINGDOM - (Update) Significant disruptions have been reported in northern parts of the UK and Ireland as a result of inclement weather, including flooding, on 30 December. The Met Office has issued four severe flood warnings for parts of Lancashire and North Yorkshire, as well as 46 flood warnings and 82 flood alerts for locations across the United Kingdom. Thousands of homes in the affected areas have experienced power outages. Infrastructural damages to bridges and road, and closures to roadways, have resulted in travel delays. Explosions from gas leaks have been reported. For more information, please visit the Met Office website http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/. Wind and rain warnings have also been issued for the south west of England. The adverse weather has also impacted parts of Ireland, with severe flooding reported in County Cork, as well as thousands of homes and businesses hit by electricity outages in Tullow in County Carlow. As of 30 December, a wind warning is in effect across much of the country. For more information please visit http://www.met.ie/nationalwarnings/. The severe weather is expected to persist in the near-term. Accordingly, further disruptions to road, rail and possibly air travel should be anticipated. Additional disruptions to utilities, such as electricity and telecommunications, are also possible. Persons in the affected areas of the UK are advised to monitor local media closely for updates and advisories. Clients planning to travel to the affected areas in the next 48 hours are advised to anticipate weather-related disruptions to transport services, and should confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

TURKEY(ISTANBUL) - Adverse weather conditions have caused severe disruptions to flights from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on 30 December. Media reports indicate that at least 142 Turkish Airlines flights have been cancelled due to the snowfall. While most of the affected flights have been domestic, flights to European and Middle Eastern airports, including Hamburg, Munich, Milan and Tehran, have also been affected. The snowfall is forecast to increase in severity on 31 December and is expected to persist until 2 January. There have been no initial reports of other airlines being affected; nonetheless, this possibility cannot be discounted. It should be noted flight disruptions and delays are likely to persist even after the weather conditions improve, due to the resultant backlog. Clients scheduled to transit through Ataturk International Airport or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in the near-term are advised to contact their travel provider or airline directly to confirm the status of their flight(s).

ICELAND - Authorities in Iceland have issued a number of adverse weather warnings for heavy rain, hail, flooding and high winds countrywide on 30 December; the warnings are expected to expire at 12:00 local time on 31 December. In addition, extremely low temperatures have been forecast, which may result in icy road conditions. Meanwhile, heavy rains have caused moderate flooding in the eastern town of Eskifjordur; a number of road closures and evacuations have been reported. It should be noted that the forecast weather may result in hazardous road conditions, particularly along glacial or mountain passes. Significant disruptions to road, rail and possibly air travel should be anticipated. Residual disruptions to travel, as well as utilities, remain possible even after the warnings have been lifted. Persons in Iceland are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the local authorities. Caution is advised in low-lying and elevated regions due to the risks of flooding and landslides, respectively.

BELGIUM(BRUSSELS) - Increased security measures are expected to be implemented in Belgium's capital, Brussels on 31 December. These measures which are expected to be implemented from 19:00 local time will include road closures in the vicinity of Place De Brouckereplein where a fireworks display will be held. The De Brouckere, St. Catherine, Purse, Anneessens and Lemonnier metro stations will also be closed from 19:00 local time. On 29 December authorities in Brussels arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged terrorism plot to attack various venues in the city on 31 December. As a result, authorities raised the terrorism threat level in Brussels from two to three, the second-highest level on the four-tier scale. Belgium remains on high alert following the 13/14 November terrorist attacks in Paris, France. Increased security measures and further associated security operations are set to continue for the short- to medium-term, at least. Persons in Brussels, are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness, comply with all directives issued by the local authorities and limit travel in crowded public venues. All suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles should be reported to the local authorities.

ITALY(ROME,MILAN,TURIN & NAPLES) - (Update) Authorities have extended travel restrictions to 31 December in Italy's capital, Rome, as well as in Milan, Naples and Turin, in order to combat high air pollution levels. As on previous days, vehicles will be banned from the road for six hours, from 10:00 to 16:00 local time. The sharp increase in pollution levels above the recommended safe maximum was caused by unseasonably high temperatures, as well as a lack of rain and wind in recent weeks, amid customarily heavy festive season traffic. The above-mentioned restrictions could result in travel disruptions in the aforementioned cities and surrounding areas on the impacted days. Clients in or planning to travel to the affected cities in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Furthermore, an increased demand for other forms of local transport, as well as possible disruptions, should be anticipated.

IRAN(TEHRAN) - (Update) Authorities in Iran have extended traffic restrictions, and banned all outdoor sports in the capital, Tehran, from 30 December to 7 January. The advisory was initially imposed on 20 December; however, recent environmental tests have indicated that pollution levels remain between 159 and 238 on the air quality index scale, which far exceeds the acceptable health levels of between 0 and 50. During the aforementioned dates, the use of vehicles within the city centre will be limited, in addition to schools and some factories being closed. Tehran has been experiencing severe air pollution in recent years. The authorities regularly issue warnings for persons to take precautions to avoid respiratory-related ailments. Indeed, local authorities have reiterated a warning for the elderly and children to remain indoors due to elevated air pollution levels. Clients in Tehran should monitor local media closely for updates and advisories from the authorities. Persons experiencing respiratory issues or ailments should contact their medical practitioner for further information and advice.

CHINA/KYRGYZSTAN(SHARED BORDER) - Officials in Kyrgyzstan have announced the temporary closure of the country's shared border with China between 1 and 3 January. The affected border crossings are said to be Torugart, located in Naryn province, and Irkeshtam in Osh province. The borders will be closed to ensure security during the festive period. Persons intending to travel via the affected land border crossings should contact the local authorities prior to departure to confirm the status of the crossing. Clients should further anticipate that journeys utilising the aforementioned border crossings may need to be rescheduled. Alternatively, air travel should be considered.

ISRAEL/LEBANON - Authorities in Israel have increased security at the country's northern border with Lebanon, as of 29 December. The measures were enforced in response to threats of retaliatory attacks made by Hezbollah. According to the reports, barriers have been placed along a section of the northern Route 889. There is also an increased deployment of Israel Defense Force (IDF) personnel in the area from Meskaf Aam and Metula to Kiryat Shmona. Additionally, the IDF has ordered farmers in the Metula area not to approach the border fence. The threat of retaliatory attacks in Israel was made in response to the recent killing of Hezbollah commander, Samir Quntar, in Syria on 19 December. Although the Free Syrian Army opposition force claimed responsibility for the killing of Quntar, Hezbollah continues to claim that Israeli fighter jets carried out the fatal air strike; the Israeli government has not claimed any responsibility. An exchange of cross-border fire was reported between Israel and Lebanon shortly after the killing; there were no reports of casualties on either side. Israel has conducted a number of attacks against suspected Hezbollah arms shipments in Syria since 2013. There is a concern that any Hezbollah retaliatory action could spark a wider confrontation. Lebanon-based militants have fired rockets and other ordnance into northern Israel in the past, leading Israel to respond with limited artillery and air strikes. Further incidents such as this could create conditions wherein tensions are increased significantly and/or conflict is initiated. Clients in Israel are advised against all non-essential travel to areas within 2km of the border with Lebanon, due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Clients in Lebanon are advised against all travel south of the Litani River in the Ej Jnoub and Nabatieh governorates, due to the risk of a resumption of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as well as the threat posed by unexploded landmines and other ordnance. Persons operating in this area should travel with a security escort and reside in secure compounds. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated.

RUSSIA(DERBENT, DAGESTAN) - At least one person was killed and 11 more were injured in an armed attack in Russia's southern Dagestan region on 29 December. Unidentified gunmen are said to have targeted a group of tourists visiting the Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent. While further details regarding the incident are unavailable, local authorities have attributed the incident to separatist and Islamist militants in the region. Separatist fighters and Islamist militants frequently carry out low-scale terrorist bombings and armed attacks in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region, including in Dagestan. The recent incident is significant in that separatist and Islamist militant activity has been primarily focused on Russian security forces, low-level officials and local civilian targets. In light of the recent incident, increased security measures, including additional deployments of security forces, patrols and checkpoints, are anticipated in Derbent and in the wider Dagestan region. Due to high levels of violence, instability and terrorism, clients are advised against travel to a number of areas in the restive North Caucasus region, including Dagestan. Persons intending to travel in the region are advised to implement robust and comprehensive personal, residential and travel security measures.

BAHRAIN(SAUDI ARABIA BORDER AREA) - Three Bahraini soldiers serving as part of the Saudi-led military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen were killed in an incident in Saudi Arabia near the southern border with Yemen. Further details are unavailable. Cross-border attacks and clashes between Houthi and Saudi forces are periodically reported. Saudi Arabia's involvement in Yemen's ongoing civil war is assessed to have increased the risk to persons in the shared border regions. Cross-border conflict, including limited ground assaults and artillery bombardments, is expected to persist over the near-tem, particularly in southern Saudi Arabia's Najran, Asir or Jizan regions. Due to the risks of conflict and terrorism, clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the shared Saudi Arabia-Yemen border. Clients are further advised against all non-essential travel to 20km beyond the 10km extreme-risk zone.

HONG KONG(CENTRAL & WESTERN DISTRICT) - An anti-government protest march organised by more than 30 civil society groups is set to take place from Causeway Bay to the Central Government Complex in Tamar, in the Central and Western district of Hong Kong on 1 January. An increased security presence should be expected in the affected areas, specifically in the vicinity of the demonstration. Protests of this nature are an annual event on 1 January in Hong Kong, which has been a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China since 1997. In recent years, following Leung Chun-ying's appointment as chief executive in 2012, citizens in Hong Kong have increasingly called for an increase in democracy and for a greater allocation of power to the legislature. Members of the organisations involved in planning this latest protest march are agitating for various reforms, including steps towards a universal pension scheme for the elderly, as well as opposition to infrastructural projects deemed to be wasteful. The groups are also calling for Leung to step down. Although these events have generally concluded without incident, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest march, particularly along East Point Road leading to the Central Government Complex. Persons in Hong Kong are advised to avoid all related protests and demonstrations as a precaution against civil unrest. Allowances should be made for localised travel disruptions, and itineraries should be kept flexible to allow for associated delays. Clients should monitor local media for updates.

PAKISTAN/INDONESIA/AFGHANISTAN/BANGLADESH/INDIA - (Update) There is an elevated threat of terrorist attacks during New Year celebrations on 31 December 2015 (New Year's Eve) and 1 January 2016 (New Year's Day) in a number of Asian countries. The US embassies in Jakarta and Islamabad have issued warnings for possible terrorist attacks over this period in Indonesia and Pakistan respectively. In Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia, and to a lesser degree in Bangladesh and India, there is an elevated risk of acts of terrorism directed towards Christian communities by Islamist extremists during this period. Islamist extremists operate in the aforementioned states and pose a risk to rival religious and sectarian groupings, including the Christian community. The New Year period affords Islamist extremist groups an opportunity to target Christian places of worship and Christian public gatherings. Possible targets include places of worship, shopping centres and public transport hubs. Personnel operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness and should consider avoiding religious sites as a precaution. This is particularly relevant in Afghanistan and Pakistan where the terrorism risk is considered extreme. As a result of this threat, all travel to Afghanistan and all non-essential travel to Pakistan is advised against.

MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA - (Update) There is an elevated threat of terrorist attacks against Christian interests during New Year's Eve celebrations on 31 December 2015 and New Year's Day celebrations on 1 January 2016 in a number of countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Syria and Iraq. Additionally, it should be noted that the period will be followed by the observance of Christmas for most Orthodox Christian denominations on 7 January in the above-mentioned countries. Islamist extremists operate in the aforementioned countries and pose a risk to rival religious and sectarian groupings, including the Christian community. The New Year period affords Islamist extremist groups with an opportunity to target Christian places of worship and Christian public gatherings. Attacks against Christians have been reported over this period in recent years. Possible targets include places of worship, shopping centres and public transport hubs. Persons operating in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness during the upcoming New Year celebration period and should consider avoiding religious sites as a precaution. This is particularly relevant in Iraq and Syria, where the terrorism risk is considered extreme. Finally, please note that clients are generally advised against travel to a number of areas within the above-mentioned countries and against all travel to Syria.

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