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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/SOUTH AFRICA(BRITISH AIRWAYS) - British Airways is to launch a new route from Gatwick to Cape Town from next winter. The flights will operate three times per week from November 24 and will compliment BA's existing double-daily Heathrow to Cape Town service. Lynne Embleton, BA's managing director at Gatwick, said: "We are incredibly excited to be the only airline to offer direct services from both Gatwick and Heathrow to this hugely popular destination while adding another long haul route to our rapidly growing network." The winter-only Gatwick to Cape Town flights will operate on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with departure at 18.00 for arrival in Cape Town at 07.50 the following day. Other new Gatwick routes include Costa Rica from April 27, New York JFK from May 1 and Lima in Peru from May 4.

UNITED STATES(WASHINGTON, DC) - Heightened security measures will be implemented in Washington, DC in the US ahead of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), taking place from 31 March to 1 April. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and is set to host more than 50 visiting heads of state and other foreign dignitaries. Significant disruptions to business and travel services are expected during the aforementioned period as a result of the elevated security procedures, which include road closures, mass transit changes, the establishment of security perimeters, and various other movement-restrictive measures. It should be noted that, due to its proximity to the summit venue, the Mt Vernon Square Metrorail Station will be closed from 20:00 local time on 30 March to late 1 April. In addition, a number of bus routes are set to be suspended or detoured for the duration of the event. In addition to increased security in the vicinity of the summit, heightened security is anticipated at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and at surrounding hotels where delegates will be staying. Although no overt threats have been identified for the event, the potential for anti-nuclear protests cannot be discounted. Persons in Washington, DC during the aforementioned period should anticipate significant disruptions to business and transport services in the vicinity of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website (www.wmata.com) should be consulted for details on service disruptions. Clients are advised to monitor local media for updates on the summit and related advisories from the authorities. All demonstrations and large street gatherings as a standard precaution should be avoided.

FRANCE/UNITED KINGDOM - Significant disruptions to Eurostar rail services between France and the United Kingdom have been reported on 28 March. Rail services have been disrupted, due to a technical failure; delays are currently affecting the ES9027, ES9029 and ES9031 trains travelling between the countries' capitals, Paris and London. The duration of the disruptions remains unclear at this stage. Persons scheduled to use Eurostar rail services in the short-term are advised to contact their travel provider or Eurostar to confirm the status of services. Clients should also anticipate an increased demand in alternative means of transportation and plan accordingly.

UNITED KINGDOM(SOUTHERN ENGLAND, WALES & NORTHERN SCOTLAND) - Flight disruptions have been reported at Gatwick Airport, which serves the UK's capital, London, due to high winds and associated inclement weather on 28 March. Several bridges on major roads in the southern regions, including London, East of England, South West England, South East England and southern parts of Wales have been closed, while high wind warnings are also in place for these areas. High wind warnings are also in place for northern parts of Scotland, including the Shetland and Orkney Isles. The inclement weather has been caused by the passing of Storm Katie, which is now moving away from the UK in a north easterly direction. Although the storm has passed, lingering disruptions are possible, especially in light of the large number of people travelling over the Easter weekend. As such, delays and disruptions to services at travel hubs other than Gatwick Airport are possible. In addition, disruptions to amenities such as electricity and telecommunications are also possible over the near-term. Persons in the affected parts of the UK are advised to monitor local media closely for updates and advisories. Clients planning to travel to the affected areas in the next 24 hours are advised to anticipate weather-related disruptions to transport services, and should confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers scheduled to fly through London Gatwick Airport on March 28 who were ticketed through ATG.

GERMANY(MUNICH) - Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident (PEGIDA) are expected to demonstrate in Munich on 28 March. Participants will reportedly gather outside the Feldherrnhalle on the Odeonsplatz, at 19:00 local time, before proceeding along Ludwigstrasse, Von-der-Tann-road, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Ring, Karl-Scharnagl-Ring, Maximilianstrasse, and then return to the Feldherrnhalle. PEGIDA, the far right populist movement, has seen consistent growth in popularity since its founding in Dresden in 2014. The movement has offshoots in several western European cities. The group stages regular demonstrations throughout Germany; these usually proceed without serious incident, although security forces have used force on occasion, including water cannons and teargas, to disperse protesters. The upcoming demonstration is expected to proceed peacefully. Persons in Munich on 28 March are advised to avoid the protests as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for localised travel disruptions.

BRAZIL - Brazil's political risk rating has increased from low to medium. Although Brazil is a politically stable country, President Dilma Rousseff's administration and the ruling Worker's Party (PT) face a number of economic and political challenges that have resulted in increased anti-government sentiment and resultant widespread civil unrest. Rousseff has lost much support after being blamed for the country's severe economic slump; the president has also been accused of manipulating the government budget's financial figures and is currently facing impeachment proceedings over the issue. Additionally, an ongoing corruption investigation into Brazil's state-run oil firm, Petrobras, which has led to numerous corruption charges involving a number of prominent political figures, including former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has resulted in a dramatic drop in Rousseff's approval ratings. The corruption scandal has sparked widespread anti-governmental corruption protests in urban centres across the country since 2015. Furthermore, Lula's recent appointment as chief of staff by Rousseff on 16 March, a move viewed as an attempt to protect Lula from prosecution, has led to further calls for Rousseff to step down or face impeachment. The country's economic crisis and the wider corruption investigations are expected to continue to spark anti-government mobilisation and calls for Rousseff's impeachment, especially given that Brazil's next presidential election is only scheduled for 2018. Clients in Brazil are advised to monitor political developments and to avoid all protests, demonstrations and other related gatherings as a precaution.

SOMALIA(GALMUDUG) - The authorities in Somalia's central Galmudug region issued a statement on 28 March, indicating that four days of recent fighting between its security forces and al-Shabaab militants had ended on 27 March. The authorities claim to have killed over 100 militants and that a number of militants have fled into rural areas of the region. The reported clashes follow similar clashes between Puntland forces and al-Shabaab militants in mid- to late March. Puntland, a semi-autonomous region, lies north of Galmudug. The purported presence of large numbers of militants in the north is of concern, given al-Shabaab's traditional area of strength lies in central Somalia, around the capital, Mogadishu, and southern Somalia. Clients are advised against all travel to most of Somalia, and against all non-essential travel to Somaliland and Puntland. Persons in the country should adopt robust personal, travel and residential security measures and should seek to limit travel outside of major cities.

AZERBAIJAN(QAZAX DISTRICT) - Casualties have been reported following armed clashes in Azerbaijan's Qazax district on 27 March. According to conflicting reports, clashes are said to have occurred when Armenian soldiers attempted to stage a cross-border attack at an unspecified location in the Qazax district. In the ensuing gunfire exchange, at least two Azeri soldiers were killed. Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain high amid an ongoing territorial dispute, which is principally centred on the ownership and administration of the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, located within the territory of neighbouring Azerbaijan. Although much of the violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan occurs within the Nagorno-Karabakh region, bilateral tensions have manifested in acts of cross-border violence in other areas. Further associated clashes in border areas are expected to persist. Due to an elevated threat of conflict and associated insecurity, all non-essential travel along areas located within 10km of Armenia's shared border with Azerbaijan is advised against. Clients intending to travel to the shared border area despite this advisory should ensure that their itineraries are authorised by local authorities and that all movements is coordinated in the presence of local security.

ARGENTINA(RIO GRANDE, ISLA GRANDE DE TIERRA DEL FUEGO) - The Metal Workers Union (UOM) in Argentina, have called for a strike in the city of Rio Grande, on Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, on 29 March. As part of the agitation, striking workers are expected to march from the Industrial Park to the downtown area of Rio Grande at 14:00 local time. The strike has been called over various issues, including job security, wages and working conditions. It is unclear how well attended the protest will be; nonetheless, localised disruptions should be anticipated along the protest route. The protest is expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of low-level violence cannot be discounted. Clients in Rio Grande on 29 March are advised to avoid all related protests and demonstrations, as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential localised disruptions.

JAPAN - Further protests are expected in the coming days in Japan as controversial bills pertaining to Japan's self-defence posture will be enacted in the country's legislature on 29 March. Once enacted, the controversial legislation will redefine the government's interpretation of the country's pacifist constitution in order to 'exercise the right to collective self-defence' and allow the deployment of security forces abroad. This is considered controversial and is highly unpopular with a considerable proportion of the Japanese populace. There have already been well-attended demonstrations surrounding this issue in recent months. Although demonstrations in Japan typically conclude peacefully, the possibility of civil unrest cannot be discounted. This is particularly likely should the Uyoku dantai, Japan's ultra-nationalist right-wing organisations, stage competing rallies; these right-wing groups are known to carry xenophobic and anti-Western sentiment. Clients in Japan are advised to monitor local media for updates and developments and avoid all protests as a precaution.

BRAZIL - Activist, civic groups and trade unions are set to stage a general strike and associated anti-government demonstrations in several major urban areas in Brazil on 30 and 31 March. The action has been called to demand the impeachment of incumbent President Dilma Rousseff, and against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's appointment as chief of staff. Associated strike action has been called for 31 March against the government's continued austerity policies, which affect workers across all sectors, amid corruption charges of high-ranking officials. Demonstrations are expected in several major urban areas on the aforementioned affected days. The largest demonstrations are expected in the capital, Brasilia, as well as in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Fortaleza. Further details regarding the time and location of demonstrations are currently unavailable. The upcoming strike and demonstrations are the latest in a series of anti-government protests held in the country in recent months. Associated demonstrations have been marred by incidents of unrest, including clashes between police, participants and rival groups. As such, the possibility of violence occurring at upcoming events cannot be discounted. Previous events have been well supported and have resulted in significant disruptions to road travel in the vicinity of demonstration sites. The strike action is anticipated to be well observed and could lead to significant disruptions to transportation, business and public services across the country. Further related protest action in this regard is expected to persist for the short- to medium-term, at least. Persons in Brazil are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the strike action and associated protest action. Clients are also advised to avoid all large street protests and security force concentrations. Localised travel disruptions expected at demonstration affected sites.

TURKEY - The founding anniversary of the left-wing Revolutionary People's Liberation Party - Front (DHKP/C) militant group will take place in Turkey on 30 March. Additionally, the period from 30 March until 17 April is known as Revolutionary Martyr's Week, and an increase in DHKP/C activity is possible during this time. The DHKP/C has coordinated several high-profile attacks against government and foreign interests, including diplomatic representations, in the past. Its stated opponents are the government, the US, NATO and the security forces, which personnel and installations are the most likely targets in any possible DHKP/C attacks. It should be noted that the group has carried out a considerable proportion of its activities in Istanbul, with the Gazi area being a known DHKP/C stronghold. Rallies in support of the group are possible in this area on 30 March and in the days that follow; any such demonstrations are likely to be forcibly dispersed by security forces. Although unconfirmed, it is possible that security forces in Istanbul and elsewhere may increase their state of alert and preparedness in response to the upcoming DHKP/C anniversary. Clients in Turkey in the coming days are advised to exercise heightened levels of situational awareness, avoid government and security force personnel and installations and immediately report all suspicious people, packages or activities to the authorities.

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