Global Reach | Now Boarding Blog | Services | ATG

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

DELTA AIRLINES - Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding the re-opening of Brussels airport and weakening demand, Delta will suspend service between Atlanta and Brussels until March 2017. Delta remains committed to the Belgium market and will resume service between New York-JFK and Brussels once the airport provides clearance for international operations. Customers affected by the schedule change will be re-accommodated on alternative Delta services or flights operated by joint venture partners Air France and KLM.

AMERICAN AIRLINES - American Airlines business-class passengers will no longer be able to check a third bag for free on domestic flights-unless they are AAdvantage Executive Platinum members. Travelers still will be able to check two bags at no charge, but a third will cost $150 on domestic flights and $200 on international ones. First-class travelers will be subject to the same fees when flying on a two-cabin aircraft, which includes most domestic flights (with some exceptions on flights from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco). The fees do not apply to first-class international passengers, who still are entitled to check a third bag can be checked at no charge.

CARIBBEAN(AIR CARAIBES) - (Update) Unionised employees of Air Caraibes, a regional airline in the Caribbean, have suspended their strike action, which was expected to take place from 8 to 15 April. The action was called to protest against the introduction of French Blue, a new low-cost long-haul affiliate of Air Caraibes. Reports indicate that some unions are still waiting for new proposals from management. Should these not be forthcoming, employees have threatened to strike on 15 April. Clients scheduled to fly with Air Caraibes from 15 April are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider for further information regarding any possible delays to their flight schedule(s).

PAKISTAN(NORTHERN REGIONS) - (Update) Meteorological authorities in Pakistan have warned that additional heavy rain is expected over already flood-impacted areas in the north of the country until 10 April. Areas impacted according to the information released by the Pakistan Meterological Department include the Fedrally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA); Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province; Sargodha, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala districts in Sindh province, and the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions. As a result of the flooding thus far, approximately 92 people have been killed since 2 April. Of these, 65 fatalities have taken place in KP, whilst 12 and 15 people have died in the Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan regions. The Karakoram Highway, a major artery through northern Pakistan, remains closed as a result of landslides on the road. As further inclement weather has been forecast, additional travel delays and disruptions to amenities such as water, electricity and telecommunications are likely to persist. It should be noted that there is an increasing risk of waterborne diseases in the coming days as flood waters recede. Persons in flood-affected areas are advised to monitor local media for updates and advisories from the authorities. Caution is advised in low-lying areas, including near rivers. Due to a number of security concerns clients are advised against all travel to FATA and KP and against all non-essential travel to Punjab province, and Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions.

SOUTH AFRICA(DUNOON, CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE) - According to incoming reports, a protest action by residents of the Dunoon township in Cape Town, South Africa, is resulting in localised travel disruptions on 8 April. The motivation behind the unrest is currently unknown; however, local media assert that the protesters have been throwing projectiles at passing vehicles. All MyCiti bus routes, including T01 and T04, scheduled to transit through the area have been temporarily suspended as a result of the violence. In addition, the Usasaza, Dunoon and Killarney bus stations will reportedly be closed until such a time as the situation has stabilised. Additional police have been deployed to the affected area. Protests and demonstrations stemming from political issues, service delivery issues, and labour disputes are common in South Africa. As evidenced by this latest incident of unrest, protest gatherings in South Africa frequently turn violent, resulting in disruptions to traffic, businesses and service delivery. Persons currently in Cape Town are advised to avoid the affected area until the situation has stabilised; all protests and large street gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for updates on the protests, as well as related advisories from the authorities. Clients intending to utilise MyCiti bus services on 8 April are advised to contact their travel provider(s) for an update on the status of services.

BANGLADESH - The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power, and Ports civil grouping has called for countrywide protests across Bangladesh on 8 April. Although exact details pertaining to the demonstrations are unclear, they are likely to focus on the capital, Dhaka, as well as the south eastern city of Chittagong. The rally has been called to show solidarity with four people who were killed when police violently dispersed a protest in the Banshkhali sub-district of Chittagong division on 4 April; the demonstrators had gathered to protest against the construction of a coal-fired power plant in the area. It is unclear how well the protests will be attended. However, they may result in travel disruptions in impacted areas, including in the capital, Dhaka. As with all protest action in Bangladesh, there is a heightened threat of violence between BNP supporters and security forces, and between BNP supporters and supporters of the ruling Awami League. Should clashes ensue, it is also possible the BNP will call for further protests or associated strike action. Persons in Bangladesh on 8 April are advised to avoid all demonstrations and concentrations of security forces, due to the risk of violent civil unrest. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for possible travel disruptions.

NIGERIA(FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY) - Nigeria is scheduled to hold council elections on 9 April in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which encompasses Nigeria's capital, Abuja. The elections are set to take place across the six area councils in the FCT. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that security measures have been bolstered ahead of the elections, and a curfew has been issued in the FCT from 09:00 till 16:00 local time. The elections come amid heightened tensions, due to violence-related incidents that resulted in the deaths of two persons in the local government areas of Abaji and Gwagwalada within the FCT. INEC has recruited additional staff across the FCT voting areas, in order to address staff shortages that forced the postponement of the elections on 19 March. Due to the competitive nature of council elections, and local tensions in the aforementioned areas, violent skirmishes between opposition party supporters and between supporters and security forces cannot be discounted. Significant disruptions to travel should also be anticipated due to both the curfew and the extra security presence that has been put in place for the day's event. Clients are advised to maintain heightened caution in the Federal Capital Territory; including Abuja, due to various security concerns, including medium to high risks of terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest. Furthermore, clients in the FCT in the coming days are advised to monitor local political developments; avoid any associated rallies and any voting areas/facilities or demonstrations as a precautionary measure.

UNITED KINGDOM(HIGH WYCOMBE) - Rival demonstrations are expected in High Wycombe, in the UK, on 9 April. Far-right group, English Defence League (EDL) is set to stage a protest march through the city; participants are expected to gather outside the High Wycombe railway station from 13:00 local time before proceeding through Amersham Hill and Castle Street to Frogmoor, where a demonstration will be held. Anti-fascist and civic groups will hold a counter-demonstration outside the nearby Guildhall from 12:00. Although the upcoming demonstrations are anticipated to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated incidents between participants and police cannot be discounted. The events are set to be well attended and accompanied by an increased police presence; as such, localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of demonstration sites. Persons in High Wycombe on 9 April are advised to avoid the vicinity of the protests if possible and localised disruptions are anticipated.

TAIWAN(TAIPEI) - A pro-death penalty demonstration is anticipated in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, on 10 April. The event is due to take place in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei's Zhongzheng District, at an unspecified time. The White Rose Social Care Association has called the action in support of capital punishment in Taiwan. Recent acts of violence against children, including the beheading of a four-year-old girl on 28 March and the killing of an eight-year-old boy on 31 May 2015, have prompted the White Rose Social Care Association to launch the action. In light of the sensitive nature of the issue, the demonstration is expected to be well attended. Although the event is expected to proceed peacefully, low-level acts of violence cannot be discounted. Significant disruptions to travel are expected in the area around the Presidential Office Building. Clients in Taipei on 10 April are advised to monitor local media for further information, and avoid any associated demonstrations as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, clients are advised to keep their itineraries flexible, in order to accommodate any potential travel disruptions.

BANGLADESH(DHAKA) - Students at Jagannath University, located in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, have called for strike action on 10 April. The strike has been called to demand that authorities arrest those responsible for the murder of a university student in a targeted attack. The victim, Nazimuddin Samad, was a secular blogger and also the organiser of Ganajagaran Mancha (National Awakening Platform), a secular campaigning group; he was murdered by machete-wielding attackers, allegedly Islamist extremists, late on 6 April. Reports also indicated that hundreds of people protested at the university campus earlier on 7 April; there were no reports of violence there. The upcoming strike action is expected to be accompanied by protest action. Given precedent, any protests that do occur are likely to take place at Jagannath University and other university campuses in the capital as well as at the Shahbagh intersection, in the eponymous neighbourhood. As with all protest action in Bangladesh, the threat of violent clashes between demonstrators and police, or between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators, cannot be ruled out. It should be noted that additional protests over the death of the blogger are likely should the perpetrators not be apprehended. Clients in Dhaka in the coming days and on 10 April more specifically should avoid all possible gathering points, all associated protest action and concentrations of security forces. Local developments should be monitored.

PERU(COTABAMBAS PROVINCE (APURIMAC REGION)) - Protests led by members of local communities were reported in the vicinity of the Las Bambas mining project in Peru's Cotabambas province on 5, 6 and 7 April. Reports indicate that protesters have blocked roads leading to and from the mining site and in the wider Challhuahuacho area. The protests were launched in an effort to support community leaders on a hunger strike in the capital, Lima. The hunger strike is in relation to demands for the cancellation of existing contracts between the communities and the mining company on the grounds that consultation procedures had not taken place. Furthermore, the communities demand the benefits of the mining project. The protest is expected to persist in the coming days. With the negotiations still ongoing there seems to be no short-term resolution in sight for the protests. However, pressure on the government is mounting, as community leaders have announced an indefinite strike, which is likely to effect the 10 April general elections. Persons in the affected area should anticipate further road travel disruptions. In addition, the possibility of low-level incidents of violence at existing protests cannot be discounted. Persons in the Cotabambas province are advised to monitor local media broadcasts for updates on upcoming protests and make allowances for localised travel disruptions. All large street gatherings should be avoided as a precaution.

PERU(CERRO VERDE MINE (AREQUIPA REGION)) - Mine workers at the Cerro Verde copper mine in Peru's Arequipa region are set to hold a 48-hour strike from 8 April. The mine is located 30km south west of the city of Arequipa. The action comes as a result of grievances regarding this year's annual profit-sharing bonuses. Union leaders have stated that the strike will continue indefinitely if an agreement is not reached. The strike action is anticipated to proceed peacefully; however, associated protests and low-level acts of violence cannot be discounted. Mining strikes are frequently accompanied by disruptive demonstrations in Peru. These could also include the imposition of unofficial roadblocks in the mining area and surrounds. Protests in Arequipa city are also possible. Clients in the Arequipa region between 8 and 10 April are advised to monitor local media for more information regarding the strike action. Additionally, as a precautionary measure, clients are advised to exercise caution on travel routes passing near the Cerro Verde mine. All street protests should be avoided.

PERU - (Update) General elections will be held in Peru on 10 April. The run up to the election has been affected by an increase in related protests. Reports indicate that at least 30,000 protesters attended a rally in the capital, Lima, on 5 April. The protest was against the presidential candidate, Keiko Fujimori. The protests have forced Fujimori to suspend campaign events ahead of the election. Further election-related protests are anticipated ahead of and after the poll. Note that security is expected to be increased for the election. In addition, the security forces have instituted the Dry Law until 11 April at 08:00 local time. The Dry Law prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Tensions in Peru have been elevated following the recent disqualification of two presidential candidates and the initiation of assessments of at least 39 congressional candidates for alleged irregularities. The disqualification of the presidential candidates has been viewed in some quarters as benefiting Fujimori unfairly. This has stoked protests and calls for her disqualification. She is the daughter of former Peruvian president, Alberto Fujimori, currently serving a prison sentence for corruption. Further protests, rallies and campaigns by rival groups should be anticipated in cities and towns across the country, including in Lima, in the run up to and after the election. The risk of protests escalating increases should Keiko Fujimori win the election. There remains a risk of low-level confrontations at all protest events. Clients in Peru during the election period are advised to monitor local media for updates on related developments and potential upcoming events. All protests and demonstrations should be avoided as standard precaution. Clients are further advised to avoid all election-related facilities as a precautionary measure.

INDIA(WEST BENGAL STATE) - Security remains heightened amid state legislative elections in India's West Bengal state, following the first round of state legislative assembly elections on 4 April. The next round of voting is scheduled to take place on 11 April, while additional phases of voting will take place on 17, 21, 25 and 30 April, and on 5 May. Security has been especially elevated in the districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura, due to the threat from Maoist rebels. As a precaution, 48,000 additional security force personnel have been deployed to the administrative capital, Kolkata, and other key locations in the state. Thus far, the elections have proceeded without major incident. Nonetheless security remains elevated, primarily due to the ongoing Maoist insurgency across remote and rural areas of West Bengal, as well as the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Odisha and Telegana for several decades. The Maoist rebels (also known as Naxalites) have been battling the central government and claim to represent the indigenous, 'landless' tribal peoples of rural India, particularly those that have not benefited from the country's economic development. The groups may seek to disrupt the voting process through small-scale gun and bomb attacks or acts of sabotage on government or election-related facilities. Such attacks pose a clear incidental threat to foreign nationals in the state over the election period. Clients are advised against non-essential travel to rural and remote areas of West Bengal, as well as to a number of other states due to a Maoist insurgency. Persons currently in the state are advised to maintain a low profile and avoid all politically motivated rallies, polling stations and political party offices before during and after the polls. Clients are further advised to monitor local media closely for developments.

ATG has Customer Coaches available around-the-clock should you

need assistance with your travel plans.