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

UNITED STATES / CHINA(UNITED AIRLINES) - United Airlines continued the build up of San Francisco as one of the USA's top trans-Pacific gateways this week by announcing a new nonstop route to Hangzhou, China. United says it will be the first U.S. carrier ever to offer regularly scheduled service to Hangzhou, located about 100 miles from Shanghai in east-central China. Flights begin July 13, pending regulatory approval. United will use its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for its planned three weekly round-trip flights on the 6,253-mile route.

UNITED STATES(ALASKA AIRLINES) - Alaska Airlines announced the launch of new flights from Orange County to both Santa Rosa, California and Reno, Nevada. Both routes will be operated daily by Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, using Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Flights to Santa Rosa will depart Orange County's John Wayne Airport at 12:15 p.m. and arrive at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport at 1:46 p.m. From Santa Rosa, flights are scheduled to depart at 12:40 p.m. and arrive in Orange County at 2:11 p.m. Flights from Orange County to Reno will depart Orange County at 2:45 p.m. and arrive at Reno-Tahoe International Airport at 4:05 p.m. From Reno, flights will then depart at 10:15 a.m. and arrive back in Orange County at 11:37 a.m. Horizon Air's Q400s are equipped with 78 coach seats, each with a pitch of 31" and a width of 17".

PAKISTAN(JINNAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) - At least two people were injured following the crash landing of a chartered plane carrying 21 people at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, on 18 March. The incident is said to have occurred at approximately 09:00 local time, as the plane was attempting to take off. As a result, authorities closed the runway at the airport, and emergency services remain at the scene. Flight disruptions are anticipated at the airport in the near-term. Clients intending to transit Jinnah International Airport on 18 March are advised to contact the airport, their airline or travel provider for updates on the status of their flight(s). Furthermore, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to most of Pakistan, including Karachi, due to the threat of terrorism.

AFGHANISTAN(NORTHERN REGION) - Adverse weather, including torrential rainfall, is expected to impact northern Afghanistan from 18 March. A series of storms is expected to impact the northern region, including the capital, Kabul, in the coming days. Afghanistan's meteorological department has warned of low temperatures, possible flooding as well as landslides. Areas at risk for flooding include Kabul and Mazar-I-Sharif. Heavy rains have impacted much of the continental region in recent days, resulting in flooding, disruptions and casualties in parts of Pakistan's Balochistan province and India's north western states. Increased rainfall has the capacity to cause flooding and landslides in northern Afghanistan. Travel delays and disruptions to amenities such as water, electricity and telecommunications remain possible. It should be noted that there is an increasing risk of waterborne diseases. Due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to Afghanistan. Persons travelling to or in the affected areas should monitor local media for official warnings and advisories. Persons should exercise heightened caution in low-lying areas, including rivers. Basic health precautions, such as drinking bottled water, should also be adopted.

INDIA(JAMMU & KASHMIR) - Adverse winter weather conditions have resulted in significant travel disruptions in India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state, on 18 March. A number of major highways have been closed since 17 March following heavy snowfall and resultant avalanches, including the Srinagar-Jammu, Bandipora-Gurez and Synthan-Kishtywar national highways, as well as Mughal road, which serves as an alternate route to the Srinagar-Jammu highway. Hundreds of vehicles remain stranded in high passes, as well as on the aforementioned national roads. In addition, landslides and avalanches following a period of rainfall on 17 March resulted in at least five deaths and a number of injuries. Local authorities have issued adverse weather warnings for snowfall, hail and further related avalanches and flooding over the next 24 hours. Jammu and Kashmir is frequently affected by adverse weather conditions during its winter months. Heavy snowfall frequently results in air, road and rail traffic disruptions. The state has a rugged terrain and landslides and avalanches are often triggered from its mountains as a result of heavy rain or snow fall. Further associated disruptions to travel, and possibly utility services, should be anticipated in the affected locales. Persons travelling in the affected region are advised to contact their travel provider prior to travel to check the status of transport services. In addition, please note that due to a number of security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir state, except the eastern Ladakh region.

TURKEY(ANKARA) - At least four people, including the assailant, have been reported dead following a shooting incident in the Mamak area of eastern Ankara, Turkey's capital, on 18 March. Emerging reports are conflicted; however, shooting incidents were reported on Sokullu Mehmet Pasa street and Dikmen street before the assailant was shot and killed by police officers near Dikmen street. Both roads remain closed to traffic while emergency responders are on the scene. The incident serves to underscore the elevated threat of terrorism in Turkey, including in the capital. The threat stems from numerous quarters, such as Islamist extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS), as well as Kurdish separatists, such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 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 Ankara are advised to avoid the affected area and 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.

NETHERLANDS(AMSTERDAM) - A demonstration by the far-right group, Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident (PEGIDA) is expected outside the Justitieel Complex Schiphol (JCS) courthouse on Duizendbladweg , next to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on 18 March. Participants will gather at the courthouse from 08:00 local time according to reports. The group is demonstrating in support of Dutch politician Geert Wilders. The right-wing politician, Geert Wilders, is going on trial for discrimination and inciting hatred against the Netherlands Moroccan minority. It is unclear how well attended the demonstration will be, localised travel disruptions are to be expected however. Persons in Amsterdam on 18 March are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for localised travel disruptions.

IRAQ(BAGHDAD & SOUTHERN CITIES & TOWNS) - (Update) Authorities in Iraq declared the 18 March protest sit-in organised by Muqtada al-Sadr, in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, illegal. Al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement and the spiritual leader of the Al-Ahrar Bloc in Iraq's Parliament, has stated that the protest sit-in outside of the Green Zone (International Zone) will proceed despite the government's ban on the gathering. Al-Sadr has also called for his supporters to remain there until their demands are met. In response, authorities have increased their security deployments, which include military troops and anti-riot forces, to the vicinity of the Green Zone; the security personnel have been instructed to use immediate force if any laws are broken. This is the latest call for protests by al-Sadr against corruption, a reshuffling of the cabinet and inclusion of more technocrats in the government. While he has led several peaceful and well-attended rallies recently, it should be noted that there is an elevated risk of violence at the upcoming protest, should it proceed, in light of the ban and the increased security presence. The likelihood of violence increases if security forces move to disperse the protesters. Note that other common protest sites in Baghdad, including Tahrir Square and Sadr City, may also be affected by protest action. As such, associated road travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the Green Zone and at other protest sites on 18 March and in subsequent days should the protest persist. Additional al-Sadr-related protests are also anticipated in predominantly Shiite Muslim southern cities and towns from 18 March, where the risk of violence is also assessed to be high. This may take the form of clashes between police and protesters or attacks by Sunni extremists against the protest gatherings. Extremists regularly conduct attacks against large gatherings. Clients are advised against all travel to Baghdad. Persons in the city should travel with a local security escort and reside in secure accommodation. Travellers in the city from 18 March should monitor local security developments closely in conjunction with their security provider. Heightened caution is advised in the vicinity of the Green Zone and other possible protest areas. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

HONDURAS(TEGUCIGALPA) - Further protests organised by the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) are anticipated in Honduras' capital, Tegucigalpa, on 18 March. The protests have been organised to demand justice for two members of COPINH who were killed earlier in March. The exact times and locations of the protests have not been disclosed. Protests held by COPINH and supported by various other activist groups in the capital on 17 March drew large crowds and caused some disruptions in the city. Protesters marched to various parts of the city, including to the offices of the Public Ministry, National Congress, the US Embassy and the UN headquarters. The upcoming protests may centre on the same areas and will likely result in further disruptions in the city. The event is expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of low-level skirmishes cannot be discounted. Clients in Tegucigalpa on 18 March are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for likely travel disruptions in the city.

PAKISTAN(KARACHI) - The opposition Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) political party has called for a major demonstration on 18 March, to mark the party's 32nd anniversary. Party members and supporters are expected to gather at the Jinnah Ground in the Azizabad area of Karachi for a rally. A significant security force presence is expected to accompany the event. 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. It should be noted that there is a credible risk of violent civil unrest at all politically-motivated demonstrations 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 gathering. 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.

INDIA(HARYANA STATE) - (Update) The Jat community has threatened to launch protests and accompanying agitations across India's Haryana state from 18 March. Community leaders are anticipated to hold a meeting in Rohtak Jat Bhawan to decide on a future strategy, should the Jat Reservation Bill not be approved by the legislative assembly. Protesters submitted a memorandum to the state legislative assembly on 14 March, threatening to escalate the protest action should their demands not be met by 17 March. The Jat community is demanding reservation under the Other Backward Class (OBC) quota, the withdrawal of criminal cases against agitators during the February protests, and compensation for the families of those killed during the most recent agitation in late February. This is the latest escalation in protest activity in the state by the Jat community in recent weeks. Community members are demanding equitable inclusion in India's caste-based quota system. Sustained violent and disruptive protests were reported from 17 to 22 February; authorities deployed additional troops, placed a ban on all gatherings and declared dawn-to-dusk curfews in the worst-affected areas. In light of this, associated protests and agitations may proceed at short notice, given the currently elevated tensions regarding the aforementioned unresolved concerns and grievances. Should related protests occur, the threat of violence between police and protesters is considered elevated. Protesters may also blockade roads, including major highways, as part of the agitation. Persons in Haryana state are advised to avoid all protest action, monitor local developments and anticipate localised travel disruptions. All street protests and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Allowances should be made for potential travel delays.

GEORGIA(TBILISI) - Activists and non-governmental organisations are expected to hold an anti-surveillance protest in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, on 19 March. Participants are anticipated to gather at 13:00 local time, although the protest location has not been disclosed. The demonstration forms part of the 'It Affects You' campaign, which is calling for surveillance law reforms. Protests and demonstrations are fairly common in Georgia, particularly in the capital, Tbilisi. These occur in response to both domestic and regional concerns. Demonstrations in Tbilisi typically take place in front of the former Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue and occasionally in Rike Square. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the protest area. The possibility of low-level clashes ensuing at such gatherings cannot be discounted. Clients in Tbilisi are advised to monitor local media for information on the planned protests. All street protests and related gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

NIGERIA(RIVERS STATE) - (Update) Tensions remain elevated in Nigeria's southern Rivers State ahead of rerun elections for the National Assembly and the Rivers State House Assembly, scheduled to be held on 19 March. It should be noted that incumbent Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has declared 17 and 18 March a public holiday in order to ensure that all citizens are able to take part in the voting process. As a result, disruptions to business and travel services have been reported in the state. Further travel disruptions are expected on the actual polling day due to a various restrictions on the movement of persons and vehicles in the state. Competition for political position is particularly severe at times in Nigeria, mostly on a state and local level, and intimidation, violence and clashes between rival political party supporters are frequently reported. Tensions in Rivers State are likely to increase further in days leading up to the 19 March rerun, and the potential for incidents of politically motivated unrest is considered elevated. Security is also likely to be increased near polling stations and government buildings in the run up to the poll and the release of results. There is a potential for isolated skirmishes between supporters of the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) party in the post-election period. Clients are advised against all travel to Rivers State due to ongoing insecurity in the region. Persons operating in the area in the coming days are advised to avoid all demonstrations, concentrations of security force personnel, and election-related facilities as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to implement robust security protocols while in the state, including conducting travel with a security escort and residing in a secure compound.

TANZANIA(ZANZIBAR) - Security measures have been elevated in Zanzibar ahead of a scheduled presidential election rerun on 20 March. According to reports, additional security forces from mainland Tanzania have been deployed to the archipelago in order to ensure peaceful polling on the day. The move follows concerns that the upcoming election may trigger politically motivated unrest, as had occurred during the initial election period in 2015. The ballot will see incumbent President Ali Mohamed Shein, of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, contest the presidency for what would be his second consecutive term. Zanzibar's electorate is polarised between the CCM and the Civic United Front (CUF) opposition party. It should be noted that the results from the initial presidential election, held on 25 October 2015, were annulled by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) following widespread allegations of electoral irregularities. The CUF presidential candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad, claimed to have won the 2015 election before the official results had been released. Zanzibar is typically seen as an opposition stronghold, and the CUF asserted that the only reason the CCM were leading the elections in the provisional results was due to electoral maleficence. The annulment of the presidential ballot served as a catalyst for opposition unrest in the post-election period. Moreover, the CUF has called for a boycott of the 20 March ballot, claiming that the election rerun is unconstitutional and merely an attempt by the CCM to fraudulently preserve their rule in Zanzibar. Persons in Zanzibar in the coming days are advised to monitor political developments and adhere to the directives issued by local authorities. All large street gatherings and election-related facilities, including polling booths, should be avoided as a standard precaution.

BENIN - (Update) The presidential run-off election is expected to be held in Benin on 20 March. The highly contested election will feature the current Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou placed against businessman Patrice Talon, as none of the 33 candidates who participated in the 6 March election were able to secure an outright majority. Zinsou, who is supported by the outgoing President Yayi Boni, won 28.4 percent of the vote, while Talon secured 24.8 percent. Talon has subsequently gained the support of 24 defeated candidates. Zinsou and Talon are competing to replace Boni, whose tenure ends on 6 April. The election held on 6 March took place amid heightened security measures, which included border closures and the deployment of additional security personnel to all electoral facilities and other key sites. Although the elections concluded peacefully without any major incident; the potential for politically motivated unrest does exist, both during and leading up to the release of the election results. Clients in Benin in the coming days are advised to avoid all large gatherings, polling stations, political party offices and election-related facilities. Heightened caution is advised along the eastern Benin-Nigeria border. The area is prone to various forms of smuggling, and is known to be operated by armed bandits and other criminal groups.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO - A presidential election is scheduled to be held in the Republic of Congo on 20 March. The election will see incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the ruling Congolese Party of Labour (PCT) contest the presidency for a third successive time, following the elimination of a two-term limit in a constitutional referendum on 25 October 2015. The results of the referendum were widely disputed by opposition parties, who consequently staged a series of protests and civil disobedience campaigns in the country. Related protests held in the city of Pointe-Noire and elsewhere resulted in more than 30 deaths, while the government shut down text messaging services, limited internet access and placed several opposition leaders under house arrest. Furthermore, the government has refused entry to the head of the Amnesty International delegation and other credible international organisations who sought to serve as election monitors. Tensions regarding the upcoming presidential ballot have remained heightened since the referendum, with several political groups calling for delayed polling. Given the current political tensions, the potential for acts of politically motivated violence both during and amid the release of the election results remains high. Travellers are advised to monitor election-related developments closely and avoid all protests, demonstrations and other related public gatherings. All election-related events and interests should be avoided as a precaution.

INDONESIA(JAKARTA) - Public transport workers, including those affiliated with the PPAD union, have called for protests in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, on 21 March. The protests have been organised over permits issued to mobile application-based transportation networks. The exact times and locations of the protests have not been disclosed; however, likely gathering points include Jakarta City Hall (Balai Kota DKI Jakarta) near the US Embassy, the Presidential Palace (Istana Negara) as well as in the vicinity of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (KOMENKOMINFO) building, where previous protests have been held. A previous protest campaign held in Jakarta on 14 March over related issues resulted in significant disruptions to road travel in the city. The upcoming protests are expected to be well attended and will also likely cause significant disruptions. Additionally, disruptions to taxi and bus services are expected to result in an increased demand for alternative transport services for the duration of the protest action. Clients in Jakarta on 21 March are advised to anticipate disruptions to public transport services and plan accordingly. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

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