Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:
UNITED STATES(JETBLUE) - Starting on October 31, 2016, JetBlue will offer six-times weekday service between LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Logan International Airport (BOS). With the new route, the airline will operate flights between Boston and all three of New York City's major airports. The airline is entering the LaGuardia shuttle market, largely dominated by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. To date, JetBlue ranks in the 5th place in La Guardia, lagging behind United Airlines and Southwest. In order to add these additional Boston flights, JetBlue will shift two daily frequencies to Fort Lauderdale, and one each to Orlando, Tampa, Palm Beach and Fort Myers. The carrier will operate up to 30 daily flights out of Newark, starting on October 30. The new LaGuardia - Boston Logan route is part of JetBlue's plan to reach 150 daily flights in Boston, where it currently leads as the top airline in both flights per day and destinations served.
NEPAL(DOLPA AIRPORT) - Civil Aviation Authority in Nepal announced the indefinite suspension of flight services at Dolpa Airport, located in Nepal's Dolpa district, on 2 May. The suspension follows several days of intermittent disruptions to flight service since 27 April, due to heavy smog causing poor visibility conditions. The smog is said to have been caused by the widespread bush fires affecting India's Uttarakhand state and Nepal's Far-Western Development region. Clients in or planning to travel to the affected area of Nepal in the coming days are advised to contact their travel provider or airline directly to enquire about the status of their flight(s).
KOSOVO(PRISTINA AIRPORT) - Pristina Airport, located in Kosovo's capital, Pristina has been temporarily closed following an earlier accident involving a Turkish Airlines commercial aircraft. The aircraft reportedly skidded off the runway, due to heavy rains. There were no casualties reported. It is currently unclear when the airport will re-open. Clients scheduled to transit Pristina Airport are advised to contact the airport, their respective airline or their travel provider for further information regarding possible disruptions to their flight schedules.
DENMARK/GERMANY - Authorities in Denmark have extended restrictive border controls along the country's shared borders with Germany, on 2 May. The controls will be in effect for another 30 days until 2 June. Authorities cited the continual need to curb the influx of asylum seekers and to ensure the effective implementation of identity verification checks along border regions. This is the sixth extension of border controls along the Denmark-German border region in recent months. The initial border controls were enforced from 4 to 14 January; however in order to cope with the unprecedented immigration of asylum seekers, the restrictions have been periodically reviewed and extended. In the midst of the ongoing European crisis, individual states have continually implemented a number of security measures to secure their borders; including movement-restrictive measures, such as border controls. Further associated measures are anticipated in the short-to medium-term, at least. Localised disruptions to travel should be anticipated near the affected border regions during the aforementioned period and possibly beyond it. Clients intending to travel between Denmark and Germany in the near-term should confirm the status of scheduled transport services with their travel provider prior to travel. Furthermore, the status of border crossings should be checked prior to departure.
FRANCE(PARIS) - Activists and trade unions are set to stage a number of anti-labour reform protests in several locales in France's capital, Paris, on 3 May. The demonstrations have been called to coincide with the parliamentary debate regarding the proposed labour reforms to be held at the National Assembly. Student organisations are set to stage a protest march, with participants expected to gather along Boulevard du Montparnasse from 11:00 local time and proceed to the Esplande des Invalides, where a rally will be held. Several trade unions will also gather at the Esplande des Invalides from 12:00. An associated demonstration is also expected outside the City Hall in the Creteil area of the capital from 10:00. Associated demonstrations are also anticipated in several other major urban areas in France, including in Bordeaux, Nantes and Toulouse. Further details regarding these are unavailable. The protests are a latest in a series of anti-labour reform protests that have been held in the country in recent months. These events have increasingly been marred by incidents of unrest, including clashes between participants and police and acts of vandalism. As such the possibility of the upcoming demonstrations being marred by similar incidents, cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are also anticipated in the vicinity of demonstration sites. As the debates regarding labour reforms are set to continue, further protest action in this regard is expected to persist for the short-to medium-term, at least. Persons in Paris are advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a general precaution. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and information on associated protest activity.
PUERTO RICO(SAN JUAN) - The Federation of Taxi Drivers has called on its members and supporters to observe a strike and associated demonstration in Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan, on 3 May. Demonstrators are scheduled to march to the Capitol of Puerto Rico, located in the city's Puerta de Tierra district, from 08:00 local time. The agitations have been organised in response to disputes regarding the use of ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, in the country. The strike action and related demonstration are expected to be well supported; the Federation of Taxi Drivers has invited all public sector vehicle operators to take part in the action. Although the protest is likely to proceed peacefully, the possibility of low-level confrontations between supporters and security forces cannot be discounted. Localised disruptions to road travel as a result of the protest should be anticipated in San Juan. In addition, an increased demand for alternative transport services is likely, due to the associated strike action. Persons in San Juan on 3 May are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the protest and strike action. Clients are further advised to avoid all demonstrations and street gatherings as a precautionary measure. Finally, clients are advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.
HUNGARY(BUDAPEST) - Taxi drivers are set to launch protests in Hungary's capital, Budapest, on 3 May. The anti-Uber protests are scheduled to take place in downtown Budapest, at an unspecified time. The affected area is expected to be the vicinity of Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid) and the Chain Bridge (Szechenyi Chain Bridge). The protests have been launched due to an ongoing dispute regarding the use of ride-hailing apps, such as Uber, in the country. Although the protest is expected to be peaceful, the possibility of low-level confrontations cannot be discounted, including between traditional taxi drivers and Uber drivers. Disruptions to road travel as a result of the protests should be anticipated in Budapest. In addition, an increased demand for alternative transport services is also likely. Note that further related protests are anticipated over the near-term. Clients in Budapest on 3 May are advised to avoid any associated large street gatherings as a precaution. Clients are further advised to consider refraining from using Uber taxi services in central Budapest on the day as a precautionary measure. Allowances should be made for road travel delays in downtown Budapest.
CANADA - Wildfires have been reported in multiple areas of Canada in recent days. According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (http://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/interactive-map) moderate to large-scale fires are, as of 3 May, burning in British Colombia (Fort St John area) and in multiple central areas of Alberta, particularly near Fort McMurray. A number of evacuation orders have been issued for secondary towns in these areas since the start of the month. Wildfire warnings have also been issued for much of the above-mentioned provinces, Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Wildfires occur sporadically in Canada in the hot summer months between May and September, particularly in the central and western parts of the country. Rural and heavily forested areas, including national parks, are at a higher risk. Wildfires can start suddenly and without warning, and can spread rapidly. Persons operating in affected areas should monitor local media closely for updates and advisories and should heed the directives of the local authorities. If travelling by car in affected areas, ensure that all windows are closed and that the air condition system is adjusted to prevent smoke from entering the vehicle.
AUSTRALIA - The Australian Government's Bureau of Meteorology has issued inclement weather warnings for several states on 3 May. A flood watch for inland rivers has been issued in the Northern Territory. Inclement weather conditions associated with strong winds are anticipated in New South Wales, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. A warning for heavy winds and potential flooding has been issued for parts of Tasmania. Although the inclement weather is expected to ease by midnight, the warnings will remain in effect until 00:01 local time on 4 May. Reports indicate that two people have been injured by falling trees in Victoria, and emergency units have responded to over 600 calls for help, regarding downed power-lines and damaged buildings. Electricity outages were also reported in Melbourne. The inclement weather is likely to cause disruptions to land, air and sea travel in the affected areas in the near-term. In addition, disruptions to utilities such as water, power, and telecommunications are also possible. Persons in the affected areas are advised to monitor local media for updates on weather conditions. Furthermore, clients are advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers. Additionally, caution is advised in low-lying areas, including near rivers and the coast.
NEW ZEALAND(AUCKLAND) - Heavy fog, causing poor visibility, has resulted in localised travel disruptions in Auckland, New Zealand, on 3 May. The fog and resultant poor visibility resulted in multiple motor accidents as well as delays to scheduled ferry services. The ports most severely affected include harbour Bridge, Northcote Point and Birkenhead. Although the fog is forecast to dissipate by 4 May, adverse weather conditions are expected to persist in the coming hours. As such, ferry and road traffic disruptions are expected to continue in the near-term. Personnel travelling in Auckland over the immediate-term are advised to contact their travel provider or the relevant transport authority for updates on the status of their transport service(s) prior to departure. Clients driving in foggy conditions are advised to exercise caution.
ARGENTINA/CHILE - Authorities in Chile have temporarily closed the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores (also known as Cristo Redentor tunnel) and the Paso Pehuenche border crossings between Chile and Argentina due to inclement weather, including heavy rain and associated landslides. The closure has been in effect since 11:00 local time on 1 May. It is currently unclear when the border crossing will be opened. While inclement weather is not forecast for the coming days, possibility of further road closures and disruptions cannot be discounted. In addition, once the crossings open, residual disruptions due to traffic congestion should be anticipated. Clients intending to make use of the affected border crossings between Chile and Argentina 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.
AFGHANISTAN(KABUL) - On 2 May, the US Embassy in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, issued a statement warning of an increased threat of attacks in the city. The statement warned of the increased potential for attacks due to the start of the Sunni extremist Taleban's spring offensive (Operation Omari) against Afghanistan's government and its Western-backed allies, including the United States, on 12 April. Crowded public areas, police and military interests, foreign embassies, foreign guest houses, hotels and government buildings/sites have been listed as probable targets; no information was provided regarding the timing or method of any planned attacks. Taleban attacks in Afghanistan generally increase during the spring and summer months, which generally extend until September, when warmer weather allows militant's greater access through usually snowed-in mountain passes from their traditional strongholds along the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Given the extreme and ongoing threat of terrorism in Afghanistan, such warnings by government authorities are taken seriously and regularly result in additional security force deployments. The warning is particularly pertinent given the attacks carried out in the capital on 19 April, following the launch of the offensive, in which at least 24 people were killed as a result of a car bomb attack in the vicinity of several government ministries and the US Embassy in the Pul-e-Mahmood Khan and Shahr-e-Naw areas. Further associated incidents are expected to persist. Due to various ongoing security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Persons currently in the country should maintain a low profile and refrain from publicising their itineraries. Travel outside of urban centres should only be undertaken following a full security review of the route, ideally in the presence of a security escort familiar with the local conditions and dur
INDIA(GOA) - A Russian national was sexually assaulted at a hotel in Morjim, located in India's Goa state, on 28 April. According to reports, the incident was perpetrated by the hotel owner after he entered the victim's bedroom. Authorities have launched an official investigation into the incident; a manhunt to apprehend the assailant remains underway. The incident underlines the ongoing threat of sexual violence against women in India. Although the majority of reported sexual assaults in India involve locals, violent crimes against foreign nationals have also become notably more frequent in recent years. Due to slow police response time and an ineffective judicial system, similar such incidents should be anticipated. Female persons in India are advised to exercise heightened security awareness at all times and limit solitary travel, particularly after daylight hours. All movements should be coordinated with a secure means of transport. Clients are advised to ensure that local emergency contact numbers are pre-programmed on mobile phones, which should be kept charged at all times. Furthermore, providing a trusted third-party with a copy of your itinerary is also recommended.
NIGERIA(NASARAWA STATE) - Communal violence in the Loko and Adayi areas of Nigeria's central Nasarawa state left at least 20 people dead on 30 April and 1 May. The violence was triggered by an alleged assault by Benue state-based Agatu gunmen on Fulani communities in Nasarawa. Communal clashes are regularly reported in rural and remote areas of central Nigeria. The violence is triggered by local disputes, cattle theft and ethnic/local rivalry. Violence tends to occur in cycles with repeated attacks and retaliations taking place. As such, further conflict in the affected area remains possible over the near-term. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Nasarawa state due to various security concerns. Persons operating in the territory should travel with a security escort. Recent violence-affected areas should be avoided.
UGANDA(KAMPALA & SURROUNDS) - The police issued a statement on 2 May indicating they had received intelligence that Somalia-based al-Shabaab militants were planning to conduct attacks against key government installations and Entebbe International Airport, which serves Uganda's capital, Kampala. Security has been increased at the airport and other key areas in response to the threat. The Ugandan authorities have issued regular terrorism warnings in recent years in light of potential threats, mainly from al-Shabaab. The militant group was responsible for the last major attack in the country, in 2010. The risk to Uganda is elevated, due to the country's participation in African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) operations in Somalia. Clients in Kampala and its immediate surrounds should expect an increased security presence near affected sites over the near-term. A heightened level of personal security awareness is advised in this area. Suspicious persons and packages should be reported to the authorities.
MOROCCO(NADOR) - The authorities arrested three suspected Islamic State (IS) militants in Nador, northern Morocco, on 29 April. The militants were reportedly directed to establish a presence in the country and were planning suicide car bomb attacks against state institutions in Nador. The government regularly issues statements indicating that it has thwarted planned attacks and arrested persons linked to militant groupings. The arrests underscore the risk of terrorism in the country, which largely stems from Islamist extremists. The last major attack in Morocco was in Marrakech in 2011. Clients in Morocco are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness. Foreigners should maintain a low public profile and should seek regular itinerary-specific assessments and advice from their security provider.
INDONESIA(JAKARTA) - Incident description: Activists and civil groups are expected to participate in a demonstration in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, on 3 May. The gathering is expected to take place at Masjid Luar Batang, located in the northern Luar Batang area at 08:00 local time. The demonstration has been organised in opposition to government-initiated evictions in the aforementioned area. The upcoming demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the demonstration-affected area. Clients in the affected parts of Jakarta on 3 may are advised to anticipate localised road-based disruptions and plan accordingly. All street protests should be avoided as standard precaution.
JORDAN(AMMAN) - A strike, initiated by commercial traders and vendors, is expected to take place in Jordan's capital, Amman, on 4 May. Vendors operating in the downtown area are expected to observe the strike from 13:00 local time until 15:00. Numerous groups, including the Garment traders Association, are expected to observe the strike in opposition to the Greater Amman Municipality's (GAM) decision to prohibit vendors from parking in select areas of the city. Participants have also stated an associated strike may be held in the Jabal Hussein and Sweifieh commercial areas on 8 May, should their demands not be met. The strike is expected to result in disruptions to business services in the affected areas. Due to the nature of the vendors' grievances, further associated strike action remains possible in the coming days. The potential for related protests and resultant unrest remains. Persons in Amman are advised to avoid any demonstrations and any associated large street gatherings. Local media should be monitored for developments regarding the strike action.
UGANDA - Ugandan opposition group, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has called for countrywide demonstrations against incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on 5 May. The agitation forms part of an ongoing protest campaign against Museveni's re-election during the country's February presidential ballot; opposition activists have denounced the election results amid allegations of vote rigging and electoral maleficence. It should be noted that local authorities have banned all FDC-related events, including the group's weekly 'Free My Vote' gatherings at their national offices. FDC leader Kizza Besigye has asserted that the upcoming demonstration would take place regardless of the aforementioned ban, and that agitations against Museveni would continue until the group's grievances are addressed. Although specific details regarding the upcoming demonstration have not been disclosed, prominent urban centres such as Kira Town, Mbarara, and the capital, Kampala, are likely to serve as focal points for unrest. Given ongoing elevated tensions in Uganda, as well as the aforementioned ban by authorities, the potential for skirmishes between protesters and police is considered a credible threat. Moreover, Ugandan security forces have reportedly threatened to respond forcibly to any opposition-led defiance campaigns, particularly with regard to unsanctioned events. It should be noted that the incidence and scale of opposition activities may increase in the days leading up to Museveni's official inauguration ceremony on 12 May. Persons in Uganda on 5 May are advised to avoid the upcoming demonstrations and any related gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored for advisories from the authorities and announcements of potential protest sites. Flexible itineraries should be maintained, in order to allow for localised travel delays in the vicinity of any demonstrations on the day. Clients are reminded that all travel to Uganda's Karamoja sub-region, and to within 30km of the country's shared borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, is advised against.
ISRAEL(KAFR MANDA(NORTHERN DISTRICT)) - A local election will be held in Kafr Manda, a town in Israel's Northern district, on 3 May. The election has been preceded by low-level civil unrest, most recently between 27 and 29 April. The violence has involved supporters of rival candidates. The security forces are likely to deploy additional forces to the town on 3 May, to prevent any further clashes between rival groups. Additional patrols and checkpoints are likely. The risk of civil unrest will remain elevated until results are released. Clients in the Kafr Manda area are advised to exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness. All large public gatherings, concentrations of security force personnel and election-related facilities should be avoided.
ISRAEL - Israel will observe Holocaust Memorial Day, known locally as Yom HaShoah, from the evening of 4 May and on 5 May. Related commemorative events are anticipated countrywide during this period. Places of entertainment are closed during the remembrance period. At 10:00 local time on 5 May a siren will sound in cities countrywide. Israelis will stop driving or working to observe two minutes of silence. Clients in Israel are advised to abide by commemorative practices, and to remain sensitive to local views regarding the historical significance of the past event. Itineraries should be adjusted to cater for potential delays on 5 May.
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