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

PORTUGAL/SPAIN(MONARCH AIRLINE) - Scheduled airline Monarch is to add new routes from the UK to both Lisbon and Madrid for the summer 2016 season. The Luton-based carrier is also to expand its operations at Birmingham by basing an extra Airbus A320 aircraft at the airport next year - taking the total number up to nine. Monarch will launch flights to Lisbon from Manchester, Gatwick and Birmingham, as well as adding a Birmingham-Madrid route, as part of an expansion which will see the airline add 2,100 flights to next summer's schedule. Gatwick-Lisbon will be the first route to start on May 3 with three weekly flights, followed on May 5 by Manchester-Lisbon, which will also operate three times per week. Birmingham-Madrid will begin on June 17, again with three weekly flights, while Birmingham-Lisbon starts on June 20 with four services per week. Monarch is also to introduce a Manchester to Tel Aviv service from April 19, with three weekly flights - the airline introduced Luton-Tel Aviv as a route earlier this month. Other new routes for summer 2016 include routes from Gatwick to Almeria, Gibraltar and Gran Canaria, all starting in early May. Marjan Schoeke, Monarch's head of network development, said: "We will launch two new destinations to Lisbon and Madrid both of which we know will be a popular choice with our customers." "In addition and based on customer demand we will also be launching a Manchester to Tel Aviv service. This follows on from a successful launch of flights from Luton at the beginning of December."

UNITED STATES(NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES & WASHINGTON DC) - Authorities in the US have implemented increased security measures in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington DC over the New Year period, amid an elevated terrorism threat. Additional security forces have been deployed to key sites in these cities, including Times Square in New York City and the Rose Bowl stadium outside of Los Angeles. Police officers have also reportedly been equipped with additional mobile cameras and radiation detectors. Details pertaining to the nature of the threat, intended targets or timing of potential attacks were not disclosed. There is a medium threat of terrorism in the US, stemming from both domestic and foreign terrorist organisations, as well as self-radicalised individuals. It should be noted that the increased security measures are viewed as largely precautionary; authorities have yet to confirm the veracity of the aforementioned terrorism threat. Increased security measures over the New Year period are likely to cause travel disruptions in the aforementioned cities. Persons operating in the aforementioned cities over the New Year period are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness in crowded venues; all directives issued by the local authorities should be followed. Any suspicious packages and/or persons should immediately be reported to the police.

TURKEY(ISTANBUL) - (Update) A number of airlines have cancelled dozens of flights to and from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, in Turkey on 31 December. The flight cancellations are due to low visibility as a result of a snow storm, and affect domestic as well as international flights. The snowfall is forecast to persist until 2 January. Accordingly, further flight cancellations and other disruptions should be expected. It should be noted that flight disruptions and delays are likely to persist even after weather conditions improve, due to the resultant backlog. Clients scheduled to transit 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).

SPAIN(MADRID) - Rail travel disruptions are to be anticipated in Spain's capital, Madrid. One of the capitals busiest metro stations which is located at the Puerta del Sol square, Sol metro will be closed from 21:00 local time on 31 December until 07:00 on 1 January. The station closure will affect metro lines 1, 2 and 3. Commuters will still be able to reach the Puerta del Sol square by disembarking at nearby metros stations including; Tirso de Molina on Line 1, Opera on Line 2 and 5 or Callao on Lines 3 and 5. The closure has been called in order to make way for New Year's Eve celebrations. Clients in Madrid should note that the metro closure is anticipated to cause significant travel disruptions in the vicinity of Puerta del Sol square and delays should be expected.

BELGIUM(BRUSSELS) - (Update) Authorities in Belgium's capital Brussels have called for the cancellation of all public gatherings and New Year's Eve related celebrations including the annual fireworks display expected to be held at Place De Brouckereplein in the capital, on 31 December, pending further investigation into a terrorism threat. On 29 December authorities in Brussels arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged terrorism plot to attack various venues in the capital 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. Initial reports released on 30 December indicated that increased security measures would be implemented across the capital on New Year's Eve. These measures were expected to include road closures in the vicinity of Place De Brouckereplein and the closure of several metro stations including; the De Brouckere, St. Catherine, Purse, Anneessens and Lemonnier. Persons in Belgium including 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.

FRANCE - Heightened security measures have been implemented in France ahead of the New Year's Eve celebrations on 31 December. At least 60,000 police officers and military personnel have been deployed countrywide. According to media reports 8,000 of these forces have been stationed in the capital, Paris. The annual fireworks display in Paris has been cancelled and access to the Champs Elysees will be closed at 20:00 local time. These heightened security measures are consistent with an increase in security measures as part of the state of emergency declared by Parliament on 15 November, which is set to remain in place for three months. The state of emergency was declared following terrorist attacks in the capital on 13/14 November. The attack saw approximately 130 people killed at multiple locations by gunmen and suicide bombers. On 7 January, 17 people were also killed in a terrorist attack in the city. Clients in France on 31 December 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.

ANGOLA(LUANDA) - An ongoing strike by employees of the public bus service is causing significant disruptions in Angola's capital, Luanda. Since 18 December, several bus drivers have participated in an open-ended strike as part of a protest linked to various labour grievances, including delays in salary payments. Related protests have also been held but have generally concluded peacefully. The strike action has not only had an adverse impact on Luanda's bus system, but has also heightened the demand for alternative means of transportation, in addition to increasing traffic on the city's roads. Clients in Luanda are generally advised to avoid using public transportation in the city due to security concerns associated with crime and high accident rates. Visitors should ensure that itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate associated travel disruptions, as well as pre-booking all private transportation in advance.

ZIMBABWE - Unionised public sector workers are set to launch a countrywide strike in Zimbabwe for an indefinite period, from 1 January 2016. The action has been called in response to unpaid salaries and annual bonuses. Further details regarding the upcoming industrial action have not been disclosed. Although no associated demonstrations have been announced as yet; prominent urban centres such as the capital, Harare, and Bulawayo are likely to serve as focal points for any strike-related unrest. Significant disruptions to public services should be anticipated for the duration of the industrial action. Persons operating in Zimbabwe in the near-term are advised to monitor local media for updates on the industrial action and announcements on the locations of possible associated demonstrations. All protest gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO(NORTH KIVU) - At least 16 civilians were killed by armed groups in Buleusa, in the North Kivu province of eastern Congo (DRC), on 30 December. Those killed were part of a group of 46 people kidnapped from the village on 26 December. Local officials blame the killings on the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group from neighbouring Rwanda, who use killings as a tactic to pressure a local defensive Congolese militia, the Union of Patriots for the Defence of Innocents (UPDI), into retreat. Reports indicate the Congolese army will be sent to the area. The FDLR has been implicated in numerous attacks in North Kivu in recent months, culminating in hundreds of fatalities. Despite an ongoing military offensive by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), the group continues to conduct sporadic attacks against local communities. Further assaults of this nature are likely. Due to various security concerns, particularly the high threat of conflict, all travel to North Kivu is advised against. Persons currently in or planning to travel to the region despite this advisory should ensure that robust travel, residential and personal security measures are in place.

MALI - (Update) Authorities have extended a countrywide state of emergency in Mali until 31 March, in response to the elevated threat from terrorism. Authorities assert that the order will enhance Mali's counterterrorism capabilities. Although further details regarding the state of emergency have not been disclosed, elevated security measures are likely to be implemented during the period. Such measures may include additional checkpoints, vehicle searches and random identification checks. Furthermore, an increased security force presence may be deployed at locations considered to be at high risk. There is a high threat of terrorism in Mali, particularly in the country's northern Gao, Kidal, Timbuktu and Mopti regions, where a number of armed groups maintain an operational presence. Although the majority of terrorist attacks, which include suicide bombings, armed ambushes and kidnapping, occur in northern Mali, groups have demonstrated both the intent and operational capacity to execute attacks elsewhere, including in the capital, Bamako. This was demonstrated on 20 November when armed militants attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, killing at least 18 people, some of whom were foreign nationals. Due to various security concerns, all travel to the northern Timbuktu, Kidal, Gao and Mopti regions is advised against. However, regardless of the area of travel in Mali, clients are advised to limit travel in and around locales including but not limited to government buildings, security installations, crowded public venues, hotels and diplomatic representations, all of which are at an elevated risk of being targeted in a terrorist attack. All suspicious persons, packages and/or vehicles should be reported to the local authorities.

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