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:

AUSTRALIA(NEW SOUTH WALES & WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATES) - Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe weather warning for parts of Australia's New South Wales and Western Australia states on 12 January. The adverse weather is expected to bring damaging winds, large hailstones, heavy rainfall and flash floods to several areas, including Grafton, Taree, Kempsey and Armidale, in New South Wales, and the Northern Interior and Southern Interior regions of Western Australia. Australia is prone to storm systems between October and April each year; as such, the BOM regularly issues adverse weather alerts during this period. Inclement weather conditions in the affected areas may result in travel delays and disruptions to electricity supply, due to possible infrastructural damage. Utility disruptions to water and telecommunications are also possible. Persons in the affected parts of New South Wales and Western Australia are advised to monitor local media for weather-related advisories as well as any directives from the authorities. Updates on the aforementioned warning can be accessed at the BOM website (http://www.bom.gov.au/). Finally, clients planning to travel to affected areas in the next 24 hours are advised to anticipate potential weather-related travel disruptions.

RUSSIA(MOSCOW) - Inclement weather, including strong winds and snowfall, has resulted in flight disruptions in Russia's capital, Moscow, on 12 January. International and domestic scheduled flight services have been affected at Sheremetyevo International Airport, Domodedovo International Airport and Vnukovo International Airport. Airline companies Aeroflot and Donavia have had a significant number of flights affected. Authorities have indicated the inclement weather is likely to continue until late 13 January. As such, further disruptions to flights at the affected airports should be anticipated. It should be noted that the aforementioned travel disruptions and delays may persist even after weather conditions improve, due to the resultant backlog. Clients in Moscow, particularly those intending to transit through the aforementioned airports, are advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

SWITZERLAND - Adverse weather conditions have resulted in disruptions in Switzerland on 12 January. Landslides and avalanches have been reported in Valais canton as a result of increased rainfall and precipitation in the affected area. Flooding and heavy rainfall have also been reported in Cuarny and Yverdons les Bains, both located in Vaud canton. Road-based travel has been affected due to flooding; parts of the road between Burtigny and Gilly have been rendered impassable. Rockfalls have been reported in the vicinity of the central Lucerne canton. Inclement weather is forecast to continue over the coming 24 to 48 hours in the above-mentioned region; this is likely to exacerbate the risk of flooding and associated landslides in the near-term. Associated disruptions to transport, utilities, electricity and telecommunications remain possible. Persons operating in Switzerland in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for weather updates and advisories. Flood-affected areas should be avoided as a precaution; caution is advised in low-lying areas and elevated regions, due to the respective threats of flooding and landslides.

GREECE - Strike action by railway union, Panhellenic Federation of Railways is expected to cause rail travel disruptions across parts of Greece from 12 January. The union will strike for three-hour intervals multiple times a day on 12, 14, 19, 20 and 21 January. The main cities to be affected include Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras. Metro services between the city and the airport will reportedly also be affected during strike times, including bus services between Kiato and Patras. The strikes are being held to protest against government's privatization of TrainOSE, the state owned rail company, and to oppose a reduction in social security benefits expected to accompany the privatisation deal. According to reports, rail services will be affected during the following strike times: 12 January (05:00-08:00, 13:00-16:00, 21:00-23:59 local time); 14 January (12:00-15:00); 19 January (05:00-08:00, 13:00-16:00, 21:00-24:00); 20 January (05:00-08:00, 13:00-16:00, 21:00-24:00), and 21 January (05:00-08:00, 13:00-16:00, 21:00-24:00). Labour strikes and related demonstrations continue to impact on Greece on a near-weekly basis. The labour agitation is largely in response to ongoing economic difficulties and associated austerity measures, which have widely impacted on the public sector. The strike action will result in disruptions and delays to rail services, and may result in an increase in demand for other forms of transport. Clients in the affected areas are advised to adjust itineraries to accommodate service disruptions or seek alternative methods of transport.

TURKEY(ISTANBUL) - Adverse winter weather, including heavy winds, has resulted in significant travel disruptions in Istanbul, Turkey, on 12 January. The national carrier, Turkish Airlines, announced the cancellation of as many as 37 flights scheduled to depart from the Istanbul Ataturk Airport on the day. It is currently unclear whether other airlines have been similarly affected. In addition, further reports indicate that several seabus services operated by BUDO and IDO have also been temporarily suspended. Winter conditions in the northern parts of Turkey, including Istanbul, can be severe. Very cold weather and heavy snowfall are possible from November to mid-March; such adverse weather conditions regularly impact on travel services in affected areas. It should be noted that the aforementioned travel disruptions and delays are likely to persist even after weather conditions improve, due to the resultant backlog. Persons operating in Istanbul in the near-term are advised to monitor local media for updates on the status of roads and public transport services. All directives issued by the local authorities should be followed. Clients, particularly those intending to transit through the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, are advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

INDIA(DELHI) - Heavy fog has resulted in rail travel disruptions in India's capital, Delhi, on 12 January, with at least 71 trains being cancelled. This includes both intra- and intercity trains. There is also a high likelihood that road travel is being disrupted; however, this is yet to be confirmed. Delhi's Indira Ghandi International Airport is yet to be affected; no disruptions have been reported. The fog is forecast to dissipate during the course of the day. However, more generally, northern India regularly experiences moderate to heavy fog during the winter. As such, further such disruptions are likely in the coming days and weeks. 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.

SOUTH AFRICA(GAUTENG PROVINCE) - A wildcat strike by bus drivers has resulted in the temporary suspension of all Gautrain bus services, in South Africa's Gauteng province, on 12 January. The reason behind the unsanctioned action is currently unclear. It should be noted that the Gautrain rail network remains operational. The bus service affiliated with the Gautrain rail network enables commuters to travel to destinations within a 15km radius of its stations. It should be noted that strike actions of this nature may be extended, cancelled or suspended on an ad hoc basis. Although it is unclear when scheduled Gautrain bus services will resume, the potential for further disruptions, as a result of the residual backlog, should be anticipated. Persons currently in Gauteng are advised to anticipate disruptions to Gautrain bus services in the immediate-term; where possible, alternative forms of transport should be used. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries in order to make allowances for further travel delays.

TURKEY(ISTANBUL) - According to incoming reports, an earlier explosion at Turkey's Sultanahmet Square, in Istanbul, on 12 January was caused by a suicide bomb attack. Although reports continue to emerge, the Istanbul governor's office has stated that ten people have been killed and 15 more wounded. The authorities have not yet confirmed if the blast was caused by a suicide bomb attack. Police have sealed off the area and a considerably heightened security force presence remains in place in the impacted area. There have been no claims of responsibility for the attack. There is an elevated threat of terrorism in Istanbul. The threat stems from numerous quarters, such as leftist militants, Islamist extremists and Kurdish separatists, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). However, given that the incident was a suicide attack, and took place in an area popular with locals and foreign national tourists, Islamist extremists are the most likely perpetrators. In light of the recent incident, clients in the affected area should anticipate an elevated level of security. Additional checkpoints and police patrols are possible. Further incidents cannot be discounted in the area over the near-term. Clients in Istanbul are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Heightened situational awareness should be practised at this time, particularly in the vicinity of police patrols and checkpoints and while travelling near crowded places and areas popular with tourists and foreign nationals, as these could be targeted by militants. Suspicious persons or unattended packages should be reported to the authorities.

AFGHANISTAN(TAKHAR PROVINCE) - On 10 January, security forces in Afghanistan retook control of Darqad district, and the Darqad district headquarters, in the northern Takhar province. This success follows three days of heavy fighting between security forces and Taleban insurgents, in which at least 30 militants were killed and 40 more arrested. A clearance operation remains underway in the district. The recapturing of the district is a victory for government troops. However, it comes against a backdrop of a deteriorating security environment. The government continues to lose territory to insurgent groups, primarily the Taleban, especially in the south of the country. Multilateral talks to find a political solution to the conflict, involving representatives from the Taleban and the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US, are underway in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Despite this, the likelihood of a considerable improvement in the security environment is assessed to be extremely limited at this time and conflict is expected to continue. Due to a number of security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Maximum travel, personal and residential security protocols should be implemented at all times. All movement should be conducted during daylight hours only and in the presence of a security escort. Crisis management plans (evacuation and contingency) should be updated with a security provider, from whom regular updates should also be requested.

HAITI - The US Department of State issued a travel alert on 11 January for citizens travelling to Haiti. The warning comes ahead of the final round of presidential and legislative elections scheduled for 24 January. The warning was issued in response to the high levels of politically motivated violence experienced in the country; previous elections have been postponed on numerous occasions as a result thereof, and the potential exists for further postponement. Haiti has been subject to high levels of civil unrest as a result of a political crisis which followed the October 2015 election. Opposition groups accused the government of electoral fraud and voting irregularities and have embarked on disruptive protests across the country; these have been marred by incidents of violence between security forces and protesters, and have caused significant disruptions to road travel in the affected areas. In the capital, Port-au-Prince, the Provisional Electoral Council headquarters in the Petionville area remain a flashpoint for protests. Elsewhere, protests are possible in urban areas such as Cap-Haitien, Croix-des-Bouquets, Petit Goave as well as along National Route 1, particularly between Cabaret and Montrouis. The potential for an increase in violence in the run up to and following the 24 January elections cannot be discounted. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Haiti due to a number of security concerns including high levels of crime, kidnapping and civil unrest. 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.

PAKISTAN - A protest is currently underway in Karachi, Pakistan, on 12 January. The protest is being held outside the Provincial Election Commission office, in the city's Saddar area, in Saddar Town. The protest is being held by the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) political party. An elevated security force presence is in place. There have been no reports of violence thus far. The rally is being held by the MQM to protest against delays in holding elections for the positions of mayor and deputy mayor in Sindh's local government elections. The MQM alleges that the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), which rules at provincial level in Sindh, is delaying the elections in an attempt to have them rigged before they take place; the PPP has denied this. The MQM is one of the primary political parties in Karachi and has wide support among the Urdu-speaking Muhajir community. Its ability to draw large crowds is well documented. Although no violence has been reported thus far, It should be noted that there is a credible risk of violent civil unrest at all protests in Pakistan, as security forces often use heavy-handed tactics when dispersing demonstrations; even sanctioned gatherings intended to be peaceful have degenerated into violence. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Sindh province, including Karachi. Persons in Karachi are advised to avoid the impacted area in the short-term.

BRAZIL(SAO PAULO) - (Update) Further protest action is expected in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 12 January. Reports indicate the Movimento Passe Livre (Free Fare Movement) is planning protest action in at the city's Cyclist Square, near Paulista subway and on Consolation Road at 17:00 local time. The demonstrations are being held to protest against proposed price hikes in public transport fares. Although unconfirmed, similar protest action is also possible in other urban centres in Brazil. Protests over increases in public transport fares have sparked widespread, sustained and violent protest action in Brazil's urban centres in recent years, most notably in June 2013 and more recently in 2015. On 8 January, police and protesters clashed in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro during protests against proposed bus fare increases, with police responding with teargas. Given this dynamic, the possibility of violence erupting at the 12 January demonstrations cannot be discounted. In addition, the protest action also has the potential to result in localised travel disruptions. Clients in Brazil's urban centres in the coming days should monitor local developments closely and avoid all protest action as a precaution against violent civil unrest.

INDIA(KOLKATA) - A protest, initiated by the opposition Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), is expected to take place in Kolkata, located in India's West Bengal state, on 12 January. The protest is scheduled to take place outside the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) offices in the Salt Lake area of the city and has been called in response to the perceived weaknesses and ineffectiveness of the judicial system in the area. An associated protest is expected to take place on 24 January outside government offices in the city, although details remain unconfirmed at present. Precedence suggests that the protest is likely to be well supported, as there is a strong leftist presence in West Bengal. Localised road travel disruptions are to be expected. There is a credible risk of civil unrest at all protests in India; confrontations between protesters and security forces may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Clients in West Bengal are advised to monitor local media for updates on the protests. All street demonstrations and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Localised disruptions should be expected in the vicinity of any protest action. Furthermore, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to a number of states, including West Bengal, due to an ongoing Maoist insurgency.

ALGERIA(BAJAIA & TIZI OUZOU (KABYLIE REGION) - The Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (MAK) has called for demonstrations in Algeria's northern cities of Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou, at 10:30 local time on 12 January. In Bejaia, participants are expected to march from the Bejaia University to Place Said Mekbel. In Tizi Ouzou, participants will march from the Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou to the Old Town Hall. The protests have been organised over issues of self-determination for the ethnic Berber community in the Kabylie region and will coincide with the Berber New Year, Yennayer. Protests demanding greater recognition for the Berber community occur periodically in the Kabylie region. Localised disruptions should be anticipated along all protest routes. Additionally, the possibility of violence at the upcoming demonstration cannot be discounted. Clients in Tizi Ouzou and Bajaia on 12 January are advised to avoid all street protests and concentrations of security forces as a standard precaution. Allowances should be named for potential localised disruptions.

ARGENTINA(BUENOS AIRES) - Supporters of Argentina's newly inaugurated President Mauricio Macri will gather at the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires on 14 January, at 20:00 local time, to hold a rally. It is unclear how many people will attend the rally. Nonetheless, localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the Plaza de Mayo and surrounds. The event is expected to conclude without incident; irrespective of this, a heightened security force presence is likely for the duration of the rally at least. Clients in Buenos Aires on 14 January are advised to make allowances for localised delays and avoid the rally as a standard precaution.

ARGENTINA(BUENOS AIRES) - A demonstration has been organised over the dismissal of radio presenter, Victor Hugo Morales, in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, on 12 January. Morales was dismissed on 11 January, prompting allegations of government censorship. Participants are expected to gather at Plaza de Mayo from 18:00 local time. It is unclear how well attended the protest will be. Nonetheless, localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of Plaza de Mayo. Additionally, the possibility of low-level confrontations between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Buenos Aires on 12 January are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for localised disruptions.

MEXICO(OAXACA STATE) - The National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) and The National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) have called for a protest in Oaxaca City, located in Mexico's eponymous state, on 14 January. The gathering is scheduled to take place outside the Ministry of Public Security at 09:00 local time and has been initiated to call for education reforms and to demand the release of political prisoners affiliated with the organisations. Associated gatherings are likely at the Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo). Teachers unions have been staging an ongoing protest campaign over grievances relating to education reforms since early 2013 and frequently hold protests in Mexico, particularly over education reforms; these are generally well supported. The upcoming events are expected to conclude peacefully; however, previous protests have been characterised by low-level violence. Localised traffic disruptions should be anticipated near the affected area of the city. Persons in Oaxaca on 14 January are advised to avoid the protest and any associated large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protest action and for advisories from the authorities. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries in order to make allowances for possible travel delays in the vicinity of any protests.

SOUTH AFRICA(KIMBERLEY, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE) - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for a mass demonstration in Kimberley, located in South Africa's Northern Cape province, on 14 January. The action has been called to protest against the sale of Kimberley Mines by De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM), a private mining company. Participants are set to gather at the Kemo Hotel parking lot at 09:00 local time, from where they intend to march towards the De Beers headquarters on Stockdale Street. The upcoming demonstration is likely to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of the protest route. Although they are expected to conclude peacefully, union-led protests and demonstrations in South Africa have previously become violent and/or disruptive with little to no warning. Confrontations between security forces and protesters may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Persons in Kimberley on 14 January are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and any associated large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protest, as well as for advisories from the authorities. Clients are further advised to make allowances for possible travel delays in the vicinity of the demonstration.

GUATEMALA(GUATEMALA CITY) - Two demonstrations against incoming President Jimmy Morales are expected in Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City, on 14 and 16 January. The first protest will take place at the Miguel Angel Asturias Cultural Centre from 12:00 local time, where the presidential swearing-in ceremony will take place. A second anti-Morales protest is expected to take place on 16 January at the Central Plaza De La Constitution at 15:00. President-elect Jimmy Morales won the presidential elections held on 25 October, gaining 67 percent of the vote. His victory was preceded by the resignation and arrest of former president Otto Perez on corruption charges. Support for Morales has fallen recently in response to accusations that his party is aligned with military elements that are accused of human rights abuses during the country's civil war. While the protests are expected to conclude peacefully, isolated incidents of violence cannot be discounted. Security forces in the country are known to use heavy-handed tactics in dealing with dissent; teargas, water cannons and rubber bullets are frequently used to disperse protest gatherings. Such measures pose an indiscriminate threat to bystanders. Clients in Guatemala City on the on 14 and 16 January are advised to monitor local media for updates on the events and avoid protest areas and heavy concentrations of armed forces as a standard precaution.

BANGLADESH(TONGI, DHAKA) - (Update) Security has been heightened in Tongi, on the northern outskirts of Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, ahead of the second phase of the annual Bishwa Ijtema, or World Congregation of Muslims, which will take place from 15 to 17 January. Attendees have already started arriving at the site of the event. Several thousand security force members will be deployed to secure the area for the duration of the ceremony, which will take place on the banks of the Turag River. Watchtowers, CCTV cameras and security checkpoints have been established as a precaution. There will also be hundreds of additional busses and trains in service to cope with the millions of people attending the event. Bishwa Ijtema is an annual Islamic religious gathering. The upcoming event is expected to be well supervised by security forces. The first phase passed without major incident; however, due to the large number of people scheduled to attend, travel disruptions associated with the event are expected. Although local officials have made arrangements for additional transportation services, such as extra trains, travel disruptions are likely in Mohakhali, Kakoli, Nikunja, Bishwa Road, Khilkhet, Uttara and Tongi, to the north of Dhaka, and Motijheel and Purana Paltan in the south. In addition, Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is located roughly 3km from the main gathering; travellers intending to drive to the airport during the event will need to be in possession of a valid airline ticket in order to make use of Airport Road. Clients are advised to exercise caution and expect severe localised travel disruptions; these disruptions may be exacerbated by the increased security measures.

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

need assistance with your travel plans.