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

BRAZIL - The trade union, National Union of Aeronauts (SNA) has called on affiliated pilots and flight attendants to observe industrial action across Brazil, on 3 February. The work stoppage which is expected to begin at 06:00 local time until 08:00, is anticipated to affect various airports including the following: Congonhas, Guarulhos, Santos Dumont Galeao, Porto Alegre, Florianopolis, Curitiba, Brasilia, Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza. The industrial action has been called in response to an ongoing wage dispute. As a result of the work stoppage, disruptions are anticipated, including delays and possible cancellations. Residual delays are also likely once the labour action concludes, due to the backlog of flights to be cleared. In addition, an increased demand for alternative transport services is likely during the strike period. Clients scheduled to transit through the affected airports on 3 February are advised to contact their travel provider or the airline for further information on the status of their flight(s).

SPAIN(BARCELONA) - Trade unions, UGT, CCOO and CGT have called for strike action in Spain's city of Barcelona on 2 February. Unionised employees are expected to observe the strike from 10:00 local time to 15:00. The strike action has been called in response to various labour-related issues. Disruptions to rail services and an increased demand for alternative modes of transport should be anticipated during the strike period. Due to ongoing grievances between the trade union and rail operators, further strike action is anticipated. It should be noted that the associated action may be extended or suspended on an ad hoc basis. Persons intending to use rail services in Barcelona on 30 January are advised to contact their travel provider or the relevant rail operator to confirm the status of services. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the strike.

GERMANY - Rallies in support of and against far-right group Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident (PEGIDA) are set to be held in multiple cities in Germany, on 1 and 2 February. PEGIDA, in conjunction with the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) are set to hold a rally at the Antonplatz in Berlin at 18:30 local time on 1 February. The anti-fascist group Weissensee Nazifrei is expected to hold a counter-demonstration at the aforementioned location. Also on 1 February, PEGIDA are set to hold a rally at Portsmouth Square in Duisburg at 19:00. PEGIDA and affiliated far-right groups are scheduled to host a rally in the vicinity of the Karl Marx monument in Chemnitz at 18:00 on 2 February; anti-fascist counter-demonstrations are also expected. Further demonstrations in smaller cities are possible. Precedent suggests that each of the demonstrations will be accompanied by a deployment of security forc es. 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 the affected areas of Germany on 1 and 2 February are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstrations and any counter-demonstrations as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible to make allowances for localised travel disruptions.

EL SALVADOR(SAN SALVADOR) - The National Civil Police (PNC) and associated administrative workers are expected to embark on a strike and associated protest action in El Salvador's capital, San Salvador, on 2 February. Although unconfirmed, the protest is likely to be concentrated near the Casa Presidential, and has been called amid failed wage negotiations with the government. Protests are common in El Salvador. The country has experienced a surge in gang-related violence and unrest in recent months, which has resulted in the deaths of a significant number of police officers, prompting the demand for greater rights and higher wages for police. The risk of violence at the gathering is considered elevated. Localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated near the affected area. Clients in San Salvador on 2 February should anticipate localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of the protest and monitor local media closely for updates. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

MOLDOVA(CHISINAU) - (Update) Activists and opposition groups are expected to stage large anti-government protests in the capital, Chisinau, during the first week of February. Protesters are expected to gather at Grand National Assembly Square, and possibly elsewhere in the city, for rallies. Rallies by supporters of the government are also possible. Details pertaining to the times of the protests have not been disclosed. The upcoming protests are a continuation of a series of anti-government demonstrations held since 20 January. Moldova has experienced political instability, characterised by mass protests and irregular changes to the executive, since senior government officials were implicated in a major corruption scandal in September 2015. Anti-government protests have escalated following the recent nomination of Pavel Filip to the position of prime minister and the approval of his cabinet by Parliament on 21 January. Protesters have called for early parliamentary elections, investigations into the one billion US dollars that disappeared from Moldovan banks and the prosecution of senior government officials connected to the scandal. In response, Parliamentary Speaker Andrian Candu announced on 29 January that the ruling party will soon call for a referendum on direct presidential elections, although protest leaders have dismissed the proposals as inadequate. Further protests are thus anticipated. Clients in Chisinau during the first week of February should monitor media broadcasts for updates on political developments and possible protests. All protests and related gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

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