Global Reach | Now Boarding Blog | Services | ATG

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

QATAR AIRWAYS - Qatar Airways has launched new services between Doha and Durban. The four-times-weekly service to Durban further complements the airline's existing daily flights to Cape Town and double daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of the airline's operations in South Africa. Travellers can now choose from a total of 21 flights a week to South Africa from Qatar Airways' hub Hamad International Airport. "Qatar is one of South Africa's largest trading partners in the Middle East and we are proud to strengthen this business relationship with the launch of our new route connecting Durban directly to Doha. "With its excellent aviation infrastructure and the development of the Dube TradePort, we expect the number of business and employment opportunities in Durban to increase," said Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker. "Durban's prestige is recognised by the world-class events it has been chosen to host, further reinforcing the city's strong and vibrant future as a global tourism destination." Both Doha and Durban will each host major global events in 2022. Doha will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and during the same year, Durban will host the XXII Common Wealth Games. The new passenger service will complement Qatar Airways' existing freighter services to Johannesburg. Qatar Airways Cargo, the world's third largest cargo carrier, has been an active player in the development of the South African export business by connecting it with worldwide markets, via Doha.

UNITED STATES(MISSOURI, ILLINOIS, ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI & LOUISIANA) - The United States National Weather Service (NWS) has issued several flood warning alerts for communities near the Ohio River and Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois, and for the Mississippi River between Missouri and Louisiana. The flood waters are expected to reach their highest level in the Memphis area of Tennessee on 8 January. Some flooding has already been reported along these rivers, with many local communities and roadways affected. Clients operating in the affected area are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories. Caution is advised in the vicinity of rivers. Persons travelling by road should avoid travelling through flooded areas.

GERMANY(COLOGNE) - The far-right Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the Occident (PEGIDA) group has called for a demonstration in Cologne, in the North Rhine-Westphalia state, on 9 January. The demonstration has been organised in response to the 1 January mass sexual assault of women in Cologne by a group of unknown men, many of whom are alleged to have been of Middle Eastern descent. The group is expected to gather outside the Cologne Hauptbahnhof (main train station) from approximately 18:00 local time. Far-right groups periodically hold protests and demonstrations in Germany, often prompting counter-demonstrations by rival groups. Although the upcoming gatherings will take place amid an increased police presence, the risk of violent civil unrest remains. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstrations. Persons in Cologne on 9 January are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and any counter-demonstrations as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to make allowances for localised travel disruptions.

UNITED KINGDOM(ABERDEENSHIRE) - Widespread flooding has been reported in towns across Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the UK, after the River Don burst its banks on 8 January due to persistent rainfall across much of the country. Dozens of families have been evacuated. Aberdeen Airport is operating at reduced operational capacity as a result of runway damage due to rainfall. Rail link disruptions between Aberdeen and connecting cities have been reported. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued severe flood warning for Inverurie and Kintore. The River Ythan also threatens to overflow. Towns affected by the flooding include Keith, Huntly, Turriff, Inverurie, Kintore, Ellon and Grandholm, which is located on the northern outskirts of Aberdeen. Due to continued rainfall, 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 Scotland are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the local authorities. Clients planning to travel to the affected areas in the near-term are advised to anticipate weather-related disruptions to transport services, and should confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

ISRAEL - Adverse weather conditions have resulted in air traffic disruptions in Israel since 7 January. The Eilat and Sde Dov airports are open to departures only, while the Ovda and Haifa airports are reportedly closed. Ben Gurion International Airport is operating as per normal. The Israel Meteorological Service (http://www.ims.gov.il/IMSENG/All_Tahazit/homepage.htm) has issued weather warnings for 8 January, noting that heavy rain conducive to flooding is possible in the centre and north of the country on the day. Heavy snowfall has been reported in the far north of the country, in the vicinity of Mount Hermon. The adverse weather is forecast to clear on 9 January. The adverse weather coincides with Israel's winter season. During this period, snowfall is occasionally reported in elevated regions. This and rainfall can result in flooding and disruptions to road travel. Note that low-lying areas, including dry river beds (wadis), are prone to flash flooding. Air travel disruptions are likely to continue over the next 24 hours. Clients operating in Israel should monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Caution is advised while travelling in both elevated regions and low-lying areas, due to the respective safety risks of snowfall (road hazards) and flooding. Persons travelling by air should contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s).

INDIA(DELHI) - Heavy fog has resulted in travel disruptions in India's capital, Delhi, on 8 January. Departing and arriving trains experienced severe delays earlier in the day. Flight disruptions have also been reported at Delhi's Indira Ghandi International Airport; although services have since resumed, a backlog of flights remains. The fog is forecast to dissipate during the course of the day; however, moderate to heavy fog is also predicted for the morning of 9 January, at least. As such, similar disruptions are possible. Personnel travelling in or to Delhi over the immediate-term are advised to contact their travel provider or the relevant transport authority for updates on the status of their transport service(s) prior to departure.

AUSTRALIA(WESTERN AUSTRALIA) - At least 95 houses have been destroyed by out-of-control wildfires in the town of Yarloop, located approximately 100km south of the city of Perth in Australia's Western Australia state, on 8 January. Authorities had advised residents of the nearby towns of Waroona, Harvey, Lake Clifton and Preston Beach to evacuate; however, they subsequently stated that it is now too late to leave and residents should instead seek shelter from the flames and heat. Emergency services have yet to bring the fire under control, and extensive road closures are in effect in the impacted area. Latest reports also indicate that four firefighters have been injured by the blaze, and one firetruck has been destroyed. The situation is being exacerbated by hot weather and high winds. Wildfires are highly unpredictable and are susceptible to rapid changes in intensity and direction; thus posing a direct threat to those in the vicinity. Wildfires are a regular occurrence in Australia and increase in frequency during the summer months, between November and April. As the situation is ongoing, further emergency warnings, as well as evacuations, are possible. Associated localised travel disruptions are also likely. Clients are advised to defer travel to the affected areas until further notice. Persons currently in the affected areas should comply with the directives of local authorities, including mandatory evacuation orders, and monitor local media for updates on the situation, including further possible disruptions.

ZAMBIA(LUSAKA) - Zambia's capital, Lusaka, will be impacted by city-wide water shortages from 8 to 10 January. According to the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC), water cuts to the capital were caused by a vehicular accident that damaged a water works station in Libala. Authorities have warned that disruptions may extend beyond 10 January due to the extensive repairs required at the facility. Extended disruptions to the water supply in the city carry the potential to incite protest activity. Persons in Lusaka are advised to ensure that adequate supplies of bottled water are kept on hand at all times and to limit water usage for other activities. Clients are further advised to avoid any related protests and gatherings.

MALI(TIMBUKTU) - Authorities in northern Mali have confirmed the kidnapping of a Swiss national in the city of Timbuktu on 8 January. According to reports, a group of unidentified gunmen abducted the victim, who is believed to have been doing missionary work in the region. Further details remain unclear at present. Mali has historically been assessed as a high-risk kidnapping destination. This is due to the threat posed by Islamist groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has claimed responsibility for a number of abductions within the country. The threat posed by such groups is assessed as being further elevated amid ongoing foreign military operations within the country, and the reprisals that such actions will undoubtedly provoke. Furthermore, in addition to being used as a means of retaliation against foreign governments directly or tacitly supporting combat operations within Mali, kidnapping has and will continue to be used by Islamist groups as a means of garnering financial gain and/or political concessions from foreign governments. As such, aid workers and missionaries are often viewed as high-value targets by these groups. This is due, in part, to the fact that such individuals can be used to extort significant ransom payments from their respective organisations, in addition to the fact that humanitarian personnel generally have limited physical security. Due to various security concerns, including the threat of kidnapping, clients are advised against travel to the administrative region of Timbuktu, in addition to Gao, Kidal and Mopti. Persons in the aforementioned areas are advised to exercise robust security measures at all times.

NIGERIA - An ongoing Lassa fever has killed at least 35 people in several states in Nigeria since November 2015. To date, the presence of the disease has been detected in the administrative states of Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo. Lassa fever is a virulent haemorrhagic disease which is prevalent in several West African countries and is spread by the contaminated excreta of the Natal multimammate mouse. Common symptoms of the disease include a combination of fever, facial swelling, muscle fatigue, conjunctivitis and mucosal bleeding. Persons in Nigeria are advised to take precautions against contracting the disease, such as avoiding contact with mice and practicing good hygiene. Furthermore, clients are advised to seek immediate medical attention if any of the above-mentioned symptoms are experienced. Clients should note that all non-essential travel to Nigeria is advised against, while all travel to the states of Bauchi and Kano should be avoided.

DJIBOUTI(DJIBOUTI CITY) - The US Embassy in Djibouti has stated that a rally is planned in the capital, Djibouti, near the cross streets of Nelson Mandela and Loyada Road during the evening of 8 January. Further information is currently unavailable. Clients in Djibouti are advised to monitor developments closely. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

NIGERIA(BAYELSA STATE) - Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that supplementary elections will be held on 9 January to elect the next governor of Bayelsa state. Voting will take place across the Southern Ijaw local government area in Bayelsa state, in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. Ongoing tensions between political opponents led the INEC to request additional security; reports indicate that over 5,000 police officers will be deployed to monitor events. A curfew may also be imposed during the day to restrict movement in and out of certain towns for security reasons. The electoral rerun follows failed elections in December 2015, as these were disrupted by electoral fraud, the abduction of electoral officers, ballot box stuffing and violence. Five people were killed by gunmen attempting to disrupt the proceedings. Further violence is possible during the current election cycle, including once results are released. Clients are advised against all travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers due to various security concerns, particularly crime, kidnapping and piracy. Clients in Bayelsa state are advised to avoid all polling stations, large gatherings and concentrations of armed forces during the election period. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates on the security situation and curfew times.

PANAMA(PANAMA CITY) - The FRENADESO union has called for a street march in Panama's capital, Panama City, on 9 January, coinciding with Martyr's Day. The event will begin at 08:00 local time in Plaza 5 De Mayo. It is unclear where the march will end. The event is expected to result in some localised road travel disruptions in the affected area and immediate surrounds. The threat of violence is considered low. Clients are advised to avoid the affected site as a precaution and should anticipate and plan for potential road travel delays in the area.

ATG has Customer Coaches available around-the-clock should you

need assistance with your travel plans.