CANADA/UNITED STATES(AIR CANADA) - Air Canada is returning to Salt Lake City International Airport, offering daily flights to and from its global hub at Toronto beginning May 27. "It gives Salt Lake City access to global markets that it did not otherwise have," Kevin Howlett, Air Canada's senior vice president for regional markets, said in an interview in Salt Lake City on Thursday. So a market like Salt Lake City can say, I am one stop away from Istanbul. I am one stop away from Tel Aviv. Those are huge economic enablers," he said. The once-daily flight to Toronto will be timed so as to allow easy connections across the ocean - or anywhere in Canada, he said. Return flights also are timed to connect easily from other global flights. Flights from Salt Lake to Toronto will be on an Embraer 190 aircraft, with 97 seats - including nine that are in a First Class cabin. "We have a major international expansion underway," and the new Salt Lake flight is part of it, Howlett said. "We have brought on, and will continue to bring on, new international destinations." For example in May, it is also beginning flights from Toronto to Portland, Ore.; Washington, D.C.; and Jacksonville, Fla. This spring, it is also adding flights from Montreal to Denver, Houston and Philadelphia, and flights from Vancouver, Canada, to Chicago, San Diego and San Jose, Calif. It is also expanding service to such places as Casablanca, Morocco; Lyon, France; and Brisbane, Australia.
CYPRUS(LARNACA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) - (Update) The hijacking situation at Larnaca International Airport, which serves Larnaca in Cyprus, has concluded on 29 March with the arrest of the hijacker. There have been no casualties as a result of the incident; all passengers and crew have been released unharmed. Earlier in the day, an assailant hijacked EgyptAir Flight MS181, which was en route to Cairo from Alexandria in Egypt. Even though the incident has concluded, air travel disruptions at the airport are likely to persist as local authorities move to clear the backlog of flights. In addition, knock-on disruptions at other airports in the country remain possible. A heightened security presence should be expected at Larnaca International Airport in the coming hours, including additional police patrols and checkpoints. Persons intending to fly via the airport or via other airports in Cyprus over the near-term should contact their travel provider or airline for an update on the status of their flight(s) prior to departure.
AUSTRALIA(NEW SOUTH WALES) - A severe weather warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for parts of Australia's New South Wales region, on 29 March. The alert, which is set to remain in place until 16:30 local time, warns against heavy rainfall that may cause flash flooding in the south east. Among the areas set to be affected by inclement weather conditions are Eden, Bega, Bombala, Narooma and Merimbula. The BOM regularly issues adverse weather alerts between October and April; the country is typically prone to storm systems 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. Furthermore, disruptions to utility services such as water and telecommunications are also possible. Persons in New South Wales are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. The BOM website (http://www.bom.gov.au/) should be consulted for current weather warnings. Finally, clients planning to travel to affected areas in the next 24 hours are advised to anticipate potential weather-related travel disruptions.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) has issued a warning for high, dust blowing winds, across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 29 March. Hazy weather conditions in the country may result in localised travel disruptions due to resultant poor visibility. In addition, current south easterly winds are expected to result in moderate to rough seas along the UAE's coastline in the Persian Gulf. The aforementioned weather alert is set to remain in place until 14:00 local time, at least. Sandstorms are regularly reported in the UAE. Road travel in these conditions is particularly dangerous due to limited visibility and sand-covered roads. These inclement weather conditions also cause frequent disruptions to air, river and sea travel. Roads most frequently affected by these adverse conditions include the highways between Abu Dhabi and Al Saleh, particularly in the Al Hamra region, and Abu Dhabi-Al Ain in the Haffar region. Persons currently in the UAE are advised to monitor local media for updates on the aforementioned weather conditions, as well as associated advisories from the authorities. Clients intending to conduct air travel in the country should consult their travel provider or airline directly for an update on the status of their flight(s). Motorists are advised exercise caution on sand-affected and low-visibility roads.
SYRIA/LEBANON - Fighting between Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic State (IS) militants along the shared Lebanon Syria border on 27 and 28 March has left at least 20 militant combatants dead. The fighting started on 27 March in the Syrian village of Jrajeer before spilling over into Lebanon near the towns of Aarsal and Ras Baalbek. Conflict along the shared border has been regularly reported since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. In addition to the above-mentioned militant groupings, the Lebanese military, Syrian armed forces and Hezbollah militia, have also been involved in confrontations in the area. The current round of fighting coincides with a ceasefire in Syria, which has held partially in many areas. The ceasefire excludes IS and Jabhat al-Nusra. Clients are advised against all travel to Syria and against all travel to within 15km of the shared Lebanon Syria border in Lebanon's Bekaa and North governorates. Persons operating in these areas should do so with a security escort.
IRAQ(BAGHDAD) - A suicide bombing in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, left at least four people dead and over 20 wounded on 29 March. The explosion was reported in the vicinity of Tayaran Square, located in the city centre. Given the method of attack, it is likely that the Islamic State (IS) is responsible for the attack. IS suicide bombings are regularly reported in the country. Common targets are Shiite Muslims, state-aligned interests, crowded public areas and foreign nationals. Clients are advised against all travel to the Baghdad governorate. Clients in the region should travel with a security escort and reside in secure accommodation.
UKRAINE(KIEV) - (Correction) Activist groups are set to hold an anti-government demonstration in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, on 29 March. The demonstration has been called to demand the resignation of Attorney General Viktor Shokina, and against the government's judicial administration. Participants are expected to gather outside the Presidential Administration of Ukraine offices, located on Bankova Street, from 10:00 local time. The demonstration is the latest in anti-government demonstrations held in the country in recent weeks, with an associated protest having been held on 28 March. The demonstrations have been called to address a number of issues surrounding the alleged maladministration of the current government, led by President Petro Poroshenko. Although the protest is expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions as a result of the protest should be anticipated in the vicinity of Bankova Street. Clients in Kiev are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Allowances should be made for potential localised disruptions.
CZECH REPUBLIC(PRAGUE) - Activist groups are set to stage a demonstration in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague, on 29 March. The demonstration has been called in protest of alleged human rights abuses in China. The demonstration coincides with the opening of the Information Centre for Democracy and Human Rights in China, which Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend. While details regarding the exact time and location of the demonstration are currently unavailable, participants are anticipated to gather outside the offices of Forum 2000 Foundation, located on Pohorelec Street. The demonstration is also expected to be accompanied by an increased police presence. Although the demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully, due to the emotive nature of the demonstration, the possibility of civil unrest incidents cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of the gathering. Persons in Prague are advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentration of security forces. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of any demonstration sites on the day.
ROMANIA(BUCHAREST) - A mass student protest is expected in Romania's capital, Bucharest, on 29 March. Students attending Politehnica University of Bucharest, located in the capital's Regie area, have called for the demonstration against the newly implemented anti-smoking law, which prohibits smoking in public and residential buildings. Approximately 3,000 students are expected to gather along Splaiul Independence Street between the Petrache Poenaru and Grozavesti metro stations, from 14:00 local time. While the demonstration is anticipated to conclude without incident, it is susceptible to low-level incidents of unrest, due to disruptive elements infiltrating otherwise peaceful gatherings. As attendance at the event is expected to be high, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned gathering site. Persons in Bucharest are advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Clients should also anticipate localised travel disruptions, and allow for increased travel time.
CHILE(SANTIAGO) - Commemorative events, related to the Day of the Young Combatant, are expected to take place in Chile's capital, Santiago, on 29 March. A march will be held to Villa Francia at 12:00 local time and a ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Plaza El Faro at 14:00. Security and police presence has been heightened in an effort to keep order in Santiago, in light of the fact that previous events related to the day have been marked by acts of vandalism and low-level violence. Moreover, the electricity company, Chilectra, has put contingency measures in place, in the event of possible vandalism-related power outages. The event commemorates the deaths of Rafael and Eduardo Vergara Toledo in 1985. The brothers were members of the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR) group, and its armed wing the Popular Front, which fought against the civil dictatorship at the time. Given past precedent, the possibility of unsanctioned gatherings and associated low-level violence cannot be discounted. Furthermore, traffic disruptions are likely in the city centre, as well as in the vicinity of the related events through the course of 29 March and possibly into the early hours of 30 March. Clients in Santiago are advised to avoid all gatherings related to the events, and to monitor local media for more information. Clients should anticipate localised travel disruptions in the affected areas.
GUINEA - Opposition groups, including the Union des Fronts Democratiques de Guinee (UFDG), have called for a countrywide general strike in Guinea on 30 and 31 March. The strike has been called in protest against rising fuel prices. Significant disruptions to business, transportation and utilities services are expected throughout the country, including in the capital, Conakry. Associated demonstrations are also expected during the affected days; however, further details regarding these are currently unavailable. This is the latest in a series of strikes against rising fuel prices in the country. Associated protest action has been characterised by significant disruptions to business, transport and utility services. Although it is currently unclear how well the strike action will be observed, further disruptions are nonetheless anticipated. In addition, should any strike-related demonstrations take place, precedent suggests that protest gatherings could be forcibly dispersed by security forces. Such measures may trigger violent confrontations between protesters and security personnel. Persons in Guinea during the aforementioned strike period are advised to monitor local media for updates on the action and for announcements of any related demonstrations. All protest gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to ensure that itineraries remain flexible to accommodate for any potential business and travel disruptions.
FRANCE - Several trade unions and student organisations have called for a general strike across France on 31 March to protest against labour policy reforms. Members of the CGT, FO, FSU, SUD, UNEF, UNL and FIDL unions are expected to participate in the agitation. Prominent urban centres such as Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and the capital, Paris, are likely to be worst affected by the agitation. The upcoming action is the latest in an ongoing campaign against new labour legislation in the country. As the action is likely to be well-supported, disruptions to business and travel services are anticipated on the day. It should be noted that isolated skirmishes between protesters and security forces have been reported at related demonstrations in the past. Recent agitations against labour reform, held in Paris on 24 March, were forcibly dispersed by police following incidents of vandalism and clashes with security forces. Although organisers have yet to announce any strike-related demonstrations, the possibility of further such unrest occurring on 31 March cannot be discounted. Persons in France on 31 March are advised to monitor local media for updates on the strike action and announcements of related demonstrations. Clients are advised to adhere to the directives of the authorities, and avoid all protests as a standard precaution. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for localised disruptions on the day.
PERU(LIMA & CALLAO) - Transport sector workers have reportedly called for a 24 hour strike in Peru's capital, Lima, and nearby Callao on 31 March. The potential strike action is in response to irregularities in the implementation of new transport policy. Should the strike proceed, disruptions to public transport provision should be expected throughout 31 March. Note that negotiations between striking transport operators and the authorities could lead to the strike being averted. Travellers in the affected areas on 31 March are advised to reconfirm the status of all road transport services prior to departure.
PHILIPPINES - Disruptions to travel and business operations are expected in the Philippines on 31 March, due to a countrywide earthquake drill that will take place for one hour between 10:30 and 11:30 local time. The drill is being held to enhance disaster preparedness in the country. All sectors, including business establishments, schools, universities and hospitals, are expected to participate in the event. The Philippines lies across the Pacific Ring of Fire, where frequent seismic activity takes place, due to the meeting of the major tectonic plates in the region. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs) also want to familiarise the participants with evacuation plans and procedures to test the country's preparedness in case of actual earthquake disasters. The simulation exercise is anticipated to cause considerable disruptions to business operations and traffic flow during and possibly after the event. Clients in the Philippines are advised to monitor local media for updates on procedures to follow during drill periods and to adhere to any directives issued by the local authorities. Furthermore, clients should anticipate significant travel disruptions across the country, including delays and increased road traffic as a result of the simulation exercises.
PARAGUAY(ASUNCION) - A demonstration led by the Paraguayan Confederation of Cooperatives (CONPACOOP) is expected in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, on 1 April from 06:50 local time. The demonstration is set to take place outside the Ministry of Finance (Ministerio de Hacienda). The protest is in response to new VAT policy by the government, which is to come into effect on 1 April. Protest organisers have stated that they expect 30,000 to 50,000 participants. Given the anticipated size of the protest, significant traffic disruptions should be expected in the affected area, should the protest proceed. The protest is likely to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of isolated skirmishes occurring cannot be discounted. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons in Ascension on 1 April are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstration and all related large street gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protest action and for advisories from the local authorities. Clients are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries in order to make allowances for travel disruptions in the vicinity of the demonstration.
