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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(BRITISH AIRWAYS) - British Airways is to begin flying from Stansted for the first time this summer. The airline announced today that it will begin flights from the Essex airport to Faro, Malaga, Palma and Ibiza from May 28. These flights will be operated by the airline's subsidiary BA City Flyer using 98-seat Embraer 190 jets. The four routes will operate once a week with the Ibiza, Malaga and Palma flights running on Saturday, and the service to Faro on Sunday. BA's Stansted-Ibiza flights will depart at 06.45 to arrive at 10.15. The return leaves Ibiza at 11.00 to arrive back at Stansted at 12.30. The Malaga flight leaves Stansted at 13.15 to arrive in Spain at 17.15 with the return departing at 18.00 for arrival in Stansted at 19.50. Stansted to Palma departs at 20.45 with arrival in Majorca at 00.15 on Sunday. The return leaves Palma at 01.00 for arrival back in Essex at 02.30. The Faro service on Sunday leaves Stansted at 05.40 to arrive at 08.30. The inbound flight leaves Faro at 09.05 for arrival in the UK at 12.00.

UNITED KINGDOM(LONDON) - London Underground maintenance workers, who are affiliated with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), have called for industrial action on 12 February. The 24-hour strike is expected to begin at 06:30 local time and has been called in response to safety concerns and the use of private contractors. Although Transport for London has indicated that services are expected to run as per normal during the strike period, disruptions cannot be discounted due to the absence of maintenance staff, should any faults arise. Clients in London on 12 February should note that there may be travel disruptions and delays across the city in the event of technical faults. Furthermore, the strike may result in an increased demand for other modes of public transport; clients should consider organising and/or booking other means of transport in advance.

BRAZIL/VENEZUELA(GOL AIRLINES) - Gol Airlines (Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A) has temporarily suspended all flight services to and from Venezuela's capital, Caracas, as of 9 February. According to reports, the suspension follows disputes over the transfer of revenue to Brazil, where Gol Airlines is based, as a result of Venezuela's strict foreign exchange controls. The removal of Caracas from the airlines' flight route will impact on international travel between Brazil and Venezuela. Persons intending to travel between Brazil and Venezuela with Gol Airlines are advised to contact their travel provider or the airline for an update on the status of their flight(s).

We are closely monitoring this situation and rebooking travelers affected by the airline suspension who were ticketed through ATG.

ITALY(MERIDIANA AIRLINE) - Unionised Meridiana Airline personnel are expected to embark on a 24-hour strike across Italy on 12 February. The strike action is anticipated to begin at 00:00 local time and conclude at 23:59. Flight cancellations and disruptions are to be anticipated on the day. Italy's aviation sector is regularly affected by work stoppages and strike action. These are generally organised in response to austerity and deregulation reforms implemented by the government, as well as specific labour disputes. Although Meridiana is likely to implement contingency plans to minimise the effect of the upcoming strike, flight disruptions should nevertheless be anticipated. Clients who have booked or are intending to book tickets with Meridiana Airline are advised to contact their travel provider or the airline for further information on the status of their flight(s).

SUDAN/LIBYA(SUSPENDED FLIGHTS) - The authorities in Libya issued a statement on 8 February indicating that flights between that country and Sudan would be suspended from 28 February until further notice. The stated reason was due to security concerns, although further details were not given for the measure. Clients intending to travel between Libya and Sudan should confirm the status of their flight(s) with their travel provider or airline prior to departure. Please note that travellers are advised against all travel to Libya due to the ongoing poor security situation in the country.

CANADA(MONTREAL, QUEBEC PROVINCE) - Localised travel disruptions are expected in Montreal, located in Canada's Quebec province, on 10 February due to a 24-hour strike action by taxi drivers in the city. Although additional details regarding the strike are unconfirmed, related demonstrations are anticipated on the day. The action has been called to protest against Uber services in the city. Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers; requests are then sent to member drivers. Local taxi drivers consider this a non-competitive practice and therefore a threat to their business. The strike is likely to impact on road-based transport throughout the city. Furthermore, an increased demand for alternative modes of public transport should be anticipated on the day. Although the anti-Uber gatherings in Montreal are likely to be peaceful, related protests in other countries have turned violent, with both operators and passengers of the taxi service coming under attack by demonstrators. Clients in Montreal on 10 February are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding possible protest locations; all demonstrations should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to consider refraining from using Uber taxi services on the day as a precautionary measure. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated.

NEW ZEALAND(AUCKLAND) - Unionised bus drivers are set to embark on a work-to-rule action in Auckland, located in New Zealand's North Island, from 04:00 local time on 10 February. The action, which has been organised in response to several work-related grievances, will result in bus drivers meeting the bare minimum of their contract requirements. The strike is expected to affect a number of bus services in the city on the day, including Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, City Link and Outer Link. The work-to-rule action is expected to persist over the near-term until an agreement is reached between the drivers and management. Local media report that the disruption to bus services is expected to impact on an estimated 135,000 commuters in the city. An increased demand for alternative public transport services is therefore likely for the duration of the strike. It should be noted that the strike action may be postponed, cancelled or extended on short notice. Persons currently in Auckland are advised to anticipate disruptions to bus services in the near-term; alternative forms of transport should be used, where possible. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries in order to make extra allowances for potential travel delays.

CHILE(OVALLE) - A 6.3 magnitude offshore earthquake has been reported 40km west of Ovalle, located in Chile's northern Limari province, on 10 February. The earthquake was recorded at a depth of approximately 31.5km. There have been no immediate reports of property damage and/or casualties. A tsunami warning has not been issued. Aftershocks are possible in the affected area. Persons in the affected area are advised to take the necessary precautions, including following the directives of the local authorities. Aftershocks may occur in the region and should be anticipated. Clients are further advised to monitor local media and emergency broadcast channels for updates and advisories from the authorities.

CAMEROON(FAR NORTH PROVINCE) - At least six people have been killed, and dozens wounded, as a result of twin suicide bombing attacks in Nguetchewe, located in Cameroon's Far North (Extreme-Nord) province, on 10 February. The attacks occurred during a funeral wake that was well attended. Although there have been no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks, authorities have attributed the bombings to militants aligned with the Boko Haram Islamist extremist sect. Further details regarding the bombings are unavailable. Cameroon's Far North province is frequently affected by acts of terrorism. The majority of incidents are blamed on, or are claimed by, the Nigeria-based Boko Haram. Boko Haram has increasingly targeted countries bordering its north eastern Nigeria strongholds in recent months. Earlier this week, as many as 37 people were killed due to four suicide bombings attributed to Boko Haram, in Bodo, located in the Far North province. With the Cameroonian government conducting counterinsurgency operations along areas bordering Nigeria, it is likely that Boko Haram will continue to execute retaliatory attacks within Cameroonian territory. Clients are advised against all travel to the Far North province. Persons operating in the area should implement robust travel, personal and residential security measures. Areas recently affected by violence should be avoided.

BOLIVIA(LA PAZ DEPARTMENT) - Coca workers affiliated with the Departmental Association of Coca Producers of Yungas (Adepcoca) have announced a strike which is set to commence in La Paz department, Bolivia, from 10 February. The strike has been called in response to the failure of the government to meet the demands of Adepcoca, which were agreed on in October 2015. As part of the agitation, striking coca producers are expected to erect blockades on roads in La Paz department, including north of the capital, La Paz. The strike is expected to continue for an indefinite duration; associated protests and roadblocks are likely to persist in the affected area in the near-term, at least. The possibility of clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in La Paz department in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for updates on the strike and possible related protests. All large street gatherings, roadblocks and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Allowances should be made for potential travel disruptions.

GUATEMALA(GUATEMALA CITY) - Various indigenous groups, including the National Coordination of Peasant Organizations (CNOC) and the Committee for Peasant Development (CODECA), have called for protests in Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City, on 10 February. The protests have been organised to demand land reforms. Participants are expected to gather at various points in the city and march to the Congress building from 07:00 local time. Starting points include El Trebol, Metronorte, El Obelisco and Roosevelt road. The protests are expected to be well attended and will likely result in disruptions to road travel in the city. Protesters may also erect roadblocks as part of the agitation. The possibility of skirmishes between protesters and police forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Guatemala City on 10 February are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential disruptions along the protest routes and in the vicinity of Congress.

SOUTH AFRICA(PRETORIA, CAPE TOWN, PORT ELIZABETH & DURBAN) - The civil society group, Save Our Nation Alliance, has called for countrywide protests in South Africa on 11 February. The protests which will coincide with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) are expected in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. In Pretoria, participants are expected to gather at 16:30 local time at the Union Buildings. In Cape Town, where the SONA will be held, opposition parties are anticipated to join the protests at 12:30, at Green Market Square. Associated gatherings in Durban and Port Elizabeth are expected to begin at 16:30 at the City Hall/Durban Natural Science Museum and the Donkin Reserve respectively. The protests are expected to be well attended and likely result in travel disruptions in the vicinity of the protest venues. Increased security measures in the vicinity of the Cape Town central business district, including road closures and a visible police presence should be anticipated. Although the protests are expected to conclude peacefully, the risk of isolated acts of violence cannot be discounted. Clients in the aforementioned areas on 11 February are advised to avoid all street demonstrations as a standard precaution and make allowances for localised travel disruptions.

MEXICO - Elevated security measures will be implemented in several Mexican cities, ahead of Pope Francis' visit to the country from 12 to 17 February. The pope will arrive at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City on 12 February at 19:30 local time followed by an official welcoming ceremony at the National Palace on the morning of 13 February. In addition to planned events in Mexico City, the Pope's itinerary includes scheduled visits to Ecatepec, Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Crist�bal de Las Casas, Morelia and Ciudad Juarez. The Pope is set to depart for Rome, Italy, on 17 February from Ciudad Juarez. The Pope's visit is expected to attract over 2 million people to related events. Although no specific threats have been made against Pope Francis' visit to Mexico, security measures are set to be increased ahead of and during the Pope's visit; such measures may include the deployment of additional security patrols, security checkpoints, random identification checks, vehicle searches and the closure of roads. The increased security measures are viewed as largely precautionary. In addition, a number of groups opposed to the Catholic Church have called for anti-Pope protests, although these are not expected to be well attended or impact proceedings. Persons in Mexico during the aforementioned period are advised to maintain flexible itineraries to accommodate possible travel delays in the vicinity of the Pope's meeting and departure points, including at the respective airports.

POLAND(WARSAW) - A protest organised by business owners and their employees is expected in Poland's capital, Warsaw, on 11 February. The protest has been organised in response to the government's proposed taxes on retail sales. Protesters are expected to gather outside the Parliament building (Sejm). The starting time of the protest has not been disclosed. It is unclear how many people will participate in the protest; nonetheless, localised disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the Parliament building. While the risk of violence at the upcoming protest is assessed to be low, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Clients in Warsaw on 11 February should avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made to accommodate potential disruptions.

SPAIN(MADRID) - Activist groups have called for a demonstration against the perceived criminalisation of the right to strike, in Spain's capital, Madrid, on 11 February. The demonstration has been organised in response to the ongoing trial of eight Airbus employees who were arrested during a general strike in 2010. Participants are expected to gather at Plaza de Cibeles at 18:30 local time and proceed to Puerta del Sol. The risk of violence at the upcoming protest is assessed to be low; however, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised disruptions should be anticipated along the protest route. Clients in Madrid on 11 February should avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made to accommodate potential disruptions.

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