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

BELGIUM(BRUSSELS AIRPORT) - (Update) Flight disruptions, including cancellations and delays, continue to be reported at Brussels Airport in Belgium, on 14 April. The disruptions are a result of a strike initiated by air traffic controllers on 12 April, over a labour dispute. Airport officials state that normal operations are expected to resume at 21:00 local time. Given the ongoing nature of the dispute, it is unclear when the strike will end. Additionally, residual flight disruptions are likely once regular flight operations resume due to the resultant backlog of flights; this could be compounded by the already limited schedule at Brussels Airport, following the 22 March attacks in Brussels. Clients intending to transit Brussels Airport on 14 April are advised to contact their travel service provider or respective airline in order to confirm the status of their flight(s).

CARIBBEAN(AIR CARAIBES) - Unionised employees of Air Caraibes, a regional airline in the Caribbean, are set to observe strike action from 15 to 20 April. The action has been called to protest against the introduction of French Blue, a new low-cost long-haul affiliate of Air Caraibes. The strike is expected to result in significant flight disruptions along the Air Caraibes network, including connections between Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Although airline authorities are expected to implement contingency plans to mitigate disruptions to the Air Caraibes flight schedule, flight disruptions, including cancellations, remain a possibility over the aforementioned period. It should be noted that the strike may be cancelled or postponed on an ad hoc basis. Clients scheduled to fly with Air Caraibes during the aforementioned period are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider for further information regarding possible disruptions to their flight schedule(s).

UNITED KINGDOM(LONDON) - The People's Assembly Against Austerity has called for a demonstration in the United Kingdom's capital, London, on 16 April. The march is set to commence at 13:00 local time in the vicinity of Gower Street and Euston Road. From there, participants will march to Trafalgar Square, where a rally will be held. The group has called for the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron and for action addressing the fallout of the 'Panama Papers' issue. The publication of the 'Panama Papers' revealed offshore accounts held by the father of Conservative Party leader David Cameron. The revelation has resulted in public outcries for the prime minister to step down. The demonstration and the planned march are expected to proceed peacefully; however, the risk of low-level violence cannot be discounted. Road travel disruptions are also expected in the vicinity of the street march and rally areas. Clients in central London should avoid protests and associated demonstrations as a precaution.

CHILE(LOS ANDES) & ARGENTINA(MENDOZA) - Authorities have temporarily closed the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores border crossing (also known as Cristo Redentor tunnel), an international mountain pass linking Argentina with Chile, since 19:00 local time on 13 April. The tunnel has been closed due to ongoing adverse weather conditions, including snowfall and resultant poor visibility. The current weather system is expected to persist for the immediate-term; heavy rainfall is forecast in the area until 17 April at least. This may trigger landslides and potential avalanches in the area; as such, the possibility of further road closures and disruptions cannot be discounted. Once the tunnel re-opens, further road travel disruptions due to traffic congestion should be anticipated. Clients intending to make use of the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores border crossing in the coming days should check the status of road routes with local authorities. In the event that alternative routes are employed, allowances should be made for potential travel delays due to congestion. Local media should be monitored for any weather-related advisories and updates.

NIGERIA(NIGER DELTA) - According to recently released reports, two crew members were kidnapped by pirates following an attack on their vessel off the coast of Nigeria on 11 April. The incident occurred while the vessel, Turquoise, was under way in the waters approximately 80km off the coast of Bayelsa state, in the Niger Delta region. The container vessel is owned by Greek company Dioryx Maritime, and was chartered by the French CMA CGM shipping company; it was reportedly travelling from Lagos, Nigeria, to Douala, Cameroon, when it was attacked. It is believed that when the attack appeared to be imminent, all but two of the crew retreated into the vessel's citadel, where they remained for 12 hours. The two crew members who did not retreat into the citadel were kidnapped. The nationalities of those kidnapped remains unclear at present. This latest incident serves to underscore the high risks of piracy and kidnapping in the Gulf of Guinea, and in the Niger Delta region at large. It should be noted that another kidnapping incident also took place on 11 April in the waters off the Niger Delta region. A vessel owned by the Turkish Kaptanoglu shipping company, Puli, was attacked and six Turkish crew members kidnapped. Given the persistent maritime insecurity in the region, further such incidents are anticipated. Clients are advised against all travel to a number of Niger Delta states, including Bayelsa and Rivers states, due to various security concerns, particularly crime, kidnapping and piracy. Seafarers who intend to sail in the Niger Delta, including the Gulf of Guinea, are advised to implement maximum security measures to avoid becoming victims of piracy. Local maritime authorities should be consulted prior to travel for the latest updates on pirate activity.

BOLIVIA(LA PAZ) - A strike by the Federation of Urban Teachers in La Paz on 14 April will be accompanied by a protest march from 15:00 local time according to reports. The march will begin at the Casa Social Del Maestro in Genaro Sanjines street and proceed to the Ministerio de Educacion building on Avenida Arce. The protest action has been called in response to labour issues, including a rejection of the government's proposed 4 percent wage increase. Disruptions to road travel should be expected in parts of the city, particularly along the march route. The risk of violence at the protest march is considered low, but cannot be fully discounted. Clients in La Paz should avoid all street protests and related gatherings. As localised travel disruptions cannot be discounted; clients are advised to plan accordingly.

BAHRAIN - The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned of protests in parts of Bahrain on 14 and 15 April. On 14 April, unauthorised protests are anticipated in al-Daih from 20:00 local time and in Sitra from 20:00. Protests are also anticipated in Sanabis from 16:00, Maqabah from 19:00 and in Sitra from 20:00 on 15 April. Further information has not been disclosed. The 14 February Youth Coalition has also called for countrywide anti-government demonstrations on 15 April. The planned gatherings are the latest by members of the predominantly Shiite Muslim opposition. Persons representing this group regularly call for and hold demonstrations. They are demanding political reforms and a greater devolution of power to elected bodies. The risk of violence at all events is considered elevated and increases further if protesters attempt to march into Manama, into Sunni areas or along major roads. The risk also increases if militant elements within the Shiite community conduct further low-level attacks against state or Sunni minority interests. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Bahrain, excluding the capital, Bahrain International Airport and main roads leading from the airport to the capital. Persons in the country should avoid all street protests as a precaution. Travel should be avoided at night, particularly in areas outside of the capital, the airport and main roads leading between the two.

MEXICO - The National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) has called for a countrywide strike and associated protests across Mexico on 15 May. The strike has been organised in response to the government's failure to negotiate with the union on its education reforms. In addition to the strike, CNTE teachers have called for protests and road blockades on major thoroughfares in various states, including in the CNTE stronghold of Oaxaca and Michoacan, Guerrero and Chiapas. Related protests are also possible in the capital, Mexico City. A second 24-hour strike has also been called for 1 May ahead of the major countrywide strike of indefinite duration which is scheduled to begin on 15 May. CNTE frequently holds protests in Mexico, particularly over education reforms. The demonstrations are mostly well attended and have the potential to cause significant disruptions to road travel. These disruptions are also expected on 15 April. The upcoming protests are expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of violence occurring at any event cannot be discounted. Clients in Mexico on 15 April are advised to monitor local media for updates on any related events. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution and allowances should be made for any anticipated disruptions. It should be noted that heightened caution is advised across Mexico due to the threats of crime and kidnapping and the incidental risk of organised crime-related conflict.

KUWAIT - Oil and gas workers in Kuwait have threatened to initiate an indefinite strike from 17 April, in protest against a new payroll scheme, which would see a cut in wages, as well as against plans to privatise the oil sector. Should the strike proceed, a disruption to oil and gas sector operations should be anticipated. While not announced, associated demonstrations are also possible. Likely gathering points are facilities linked to the oil and gas sector, including refineries and related government offices. Clients in Kuwait are advised to monitor related developments closely and to avoid all protests as a standard precaution.

ISRAEL(ISRAEL, THE GAZA STRIP & WEST BANK) - Palestinian Prisoners' Day will be commemorated on 17 April in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel. The annual event is observed by Palestinian political and activist groupings to highlight the plight of thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Precedent suggests that anti-Israel protests will be held on the day in Arab/Palestinian communities and near incarceration facilities in Israel. Gatherings are also anticipated in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Thousands of people are expected to participate in Palestinian Prisoners' Day commemorations. In the Gaza Strip, public rallies should be anticipated in Gaza City and near border crossing points into Israel. Other possible gathering points include Arab/Israel communities in Israel (including East Jerusalem), Israeli detention centres, major Palestinian towns and checkpoints, as well as border crossing points in the West Bank. There is a threat of confrontations at all related events, particularly at those which are organised near Israeli security force checkpoints or facilities, or near Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Protesters who attempt to cross or approach checkpoints or territorial borders may elicit a response from the Israeli police or military. Clients in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on 17 April should avoid all protests as a standard precaution. Please note that due to various security concerns, clients are advised against all travel to the Gaza Strip and to within 2km of the shared Gaza Strip-Israel border in Israel. Furthermore, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank, East Jerusalem and within 45km of the shared Gaza Strip-Israel border in Israel outside of the 2km region. Persons operating in higher-risk areas should travel with a security escort.

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