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:

FRENCH POLYNESIA (AIR TAHITI) - (Update) Continued disruptions to Air Tahiti flight services, due to the ongoing strike action by unionised employees, were reported at airports across French Polynesia, on 24 May. These disruptions come amid failed negotiations between the associated trade unions and government representatives. Several domestic and regional flights have been cancelled or delayed. It is currently unclear when flight services will resume on normal schedules. While negotiations between the unions and government authorities are said to be ongoing, further disruptions to flight services are anticipated for the short- to medium-term, at least. It should be noted that the ongoing strike action may be cancelled or suspended on an ad hoc basis. Persons intending to utilise Air Tahiti flight services in French Polynesia are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for updates on the status of their flight(s).

FRANCE - (Update) Various unions have called for transport strikes across France on 25 and 26 May. A strike by workers of France's national rail operator, the SNCF, is expected to cause disruptions to inter- and inner- city services. In addition, air traffic controllers affiliated with the USAC-CGT union have called for a strike at the country's airports. Numerous airlines, including Air France, Ryanair, Easyjet and Aigle Azur have already announced flight cancellations at Paris Orly International Airport on the aforementioned affected days. The strike action will coincide with countrywide protests. The agitation forms part of an ongoing anti-labour reform campaign, with a number of protests and strikes having been held in recent weeks. On 10 May, the government used special constitutional powers that bypassed the parliamentary vote to pass a controversial labour reform bill; the move has served to increase tensions over the issue. Additionally, the unrest coincides with fuel shortages as a result of ongoing strike action by unionised oil refinery workers. It should be noted that related protests have been marred by incidents of violence in the past; the risk of similar violence at the upcoming protests cannot be discounted. Travel disruptions associated with the strike action should also be anticipated. Clients in France on 25 and 26 May should monitor local media for updates on the strike and protest action. Clients are further advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers or airline, where necessary. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

GREECE (ATHENS) - A transport sector strike is anticipated in Greece's capital, Athens on 26 May. The strike expected to be observed by Athens Metro, ISAP electric railway and tram workers from 11:00 to 16:00 local time; while bus drivers will strike until 17:00. In addition, a 48-hour strike by workers affiliated to the Port of Piraeus Dockworkers' Union, will be observed from 26 May. The strike action has been organised against the government's privatisation laws. Should the strike proceed as scheduled, significant disruptions to the affected transport services should be anticipated. An increased demand for alternative modes of transport should also be expected in Athens. It should be noted that the associated action may be extended or suspended on an ad hoc basis. Clients in Athens on 26 May are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the strike action. Clients are further advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

URUGUAY (MONTEVIDEO) - Taxi drivers are scheduled to hold a 24-hour strike in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, on 27 and 28 May. The strike is reportedly scheduled to start at 12:00 local time (midday) on 27 May and end at 12:00 on 28 May. Taxi drivers have stated that no taxis will be in service during the work stoppage. The strike will be held in response to the death of a taxi driver in a road accident last week. The strike is expected to proceed peacefully. Similar work stoppages were held in March 2015 following the shooting of a taxi driver during a robbery, which caused travel disruptions in the capital. No demonstrations have been called for at present; however, they may still occur on the day. Demonstrations in Uruguay, especially in the capital, usually conclude without incident; however, clashes with police have been reported on occasion. Clients should avoid possible related demonstrations as a standard precaution. Clients in Montevideo on 27 May are further advised to maintain flexible itineraries to make allowances for possible travel delays and use alternative forms of transport. Local media should be monitored to remain cognisant of any developments regarding the work stoppage.

UNITED KINGDOM (LONDON) - Unionised steelworkers and associated trade unions are set to stage a protest march in London, capital of the UK, on 25 May. The protest march has been called against a number of concerns affecting the steel industry. Participants are expected to gather at the Whitehall Gardens from 12:00 local time and proceed to Parliament Square, where a rally will be held. The march is expected to conclude without major incident; however, the possibility of isolated skirmishes occurring cannot be discounted. Attendance at the march is expected to be high, as such, localised disruptions are anticipated along the march route and associated gatherings. Persons in London are advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a general precaution. Clients should make allowances for localised travel disruptions.

GERMANY (MUNICH) - An activist-led demonstration is anticipated in Germany's city of Munich on 26 May. The action is set to commence at 13:30 local time, at the tower of the Karlsplatz (Stachus). The demonstration will be launched due to various issues regarding the government's surveillance regulations. Although the aforementioned protest is expected to proceed peacefully, the possibility of low-level confrontations between security forces and demonstrators cannot be discounted. Localised disruptions to travel are anticipated in the vicinity of the tower of Karlsplatz. Persons in Munich on 26 May are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution. Furthermore, clients are advised to make allowances for potential travel disruptions in the vicinity of any related events.

SPAIN (GRACIA DISTRICT, BARCELONA) - Demonstrations are possible in the Gracia district of Barcelona from 20:00 local time on 25 May, according to statements by activists on social media. The upcoming protests, if they occur, follow clashes between riot police and protesters on 24 May, which resulted in 19 people injured. Riot police used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse protesters who damaged buildings and set vehicles ablaze. The riots broke out after squatters were evicted from a nearby building. Unrest is likely to centre in the Plaza de la Revolucion. The unrest began after activists, sympathetic to the cause of the squatters, tried to re-open the building after its doors were welded closed following the squatters' eviction. There is an incidental risk to bystanders in the vicinity of all protest gatherings. Localised travel disruptions are also likely in the affected area. Persons in Barcelona on 25 May are advised to avoid the Gracia district, as well as all related gatherings as a standard precaution. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of protest-affected sites. Furthermore, local media should be monitored for information regarding related protests.

CHINA (SOUTHERN REGIONS) - In recent days, authorities in China have warned of a high chance of flooding in the major river basins in the south of the country; the Yangtze, Songhua and Huaihe river basins have specifically been mentioned. Spokespersons at the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters have stated that storage waters in lakes and reservoirs are above average for this time of year, further raising concerns of flooding in the event of further heavy rain. They have further stated that the water levels in the aforementioned river basins are higher than in 1998, when weeks of heavy rain resulted in flooding, resulting in the deaths of 1,800 people, and directly impacting 100 million more. Large parts of China are affected by the annual monsoon season, which generally runs from May to September, although the majority of rain falls in the two-month period from the end of May. Landslides and flooding in affected areas are common during this time. Indeed, several southern provinces have been impacted by heavy rain in recent days, although those most affected include Hunan, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The inclement weather is forecast to continue affecting the region over the near-term. Areas assessed to be at an elevated risk of flooding include those located near river banks and canals. Furthermore, disruptions to road, rail and air travel should be expected. Lastly, utility services such as the supply of water and electricity may be negatively affected. Persons operating in the southern regions of China in the coming days are advised to monitor local media for weather updates and advisories. Caution is advised in low-lying areas (such as river basins) and elevated regions, due to the respective threats of flooding and landslides. Clients in the aforementioned areas are advised to make allowances for travel disruptions, and should consult their travel provider for an update on the status of their travel arrangements.

SOMALIA (JUBA REGION) - The 52nd founding anniversary of Columbia's left-wing rebel movement, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), will take place on 27 May. There is a somewhat elevated threat of attacks stemming from the group on the day. Acts of terrorism by the group have included car bombings, targeted assassinations and hijackings, as well as conventional and guerrilla warfare. Generally more active in rural areas, FARC has perpetuated attacks in urban centres as well. It should be noted, however, that the strength of FARC has been greatly diminished since 2002 and the group is not currently believed to possess the requisite military strength or public support to pose a significant challenge to the constitutional order in the country. However, FARC has maintained the capability to carry out low-level terrorist attacks, sabotage and kidnappings. Moreover, FARC and the Colombian government are at the final stages of a peace deal which was announced in September 2015, which has further diminished the potential for an attack. Nevertheless, possible attacks or violence on the commemorative day cannot be entirely discounted. Clients in Colombia on 27 May should exercise a heightened sense of situational awareness. All suspicious people, packages or activities should be reported to authorities immediately.

AFGHANISTAN (KABUL PROVINCE) - At least ten people have been killed and more wounded in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan's Kabul province on 25 May. The blast took place in the Paghman district, located to the immediate west of the capital, Kabul. A suicide bomber reportedly targeted a convoy carrying government employees, in the Bagh-e-Daoud area of the district. There have been no claims of responsibility. There is an extreme threat of terrorism throughout Afghanistan, stemming from a number of Islamist extremist organisations, of which the Sunni-extremist Taleban is the most prevalent. The group has carried out numerous small-scale and mass-casualty attacks targeting both state and civilian interests in the country, including in and around Kabul. It should be noted that the number of casualties may increase in the coming hours, as further information becomes available. Due to a number of security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Persons currently in Paghman district are advised to exercise maximum security measures and to avoid the affected area at this time.

MAYOTTE (MAMOUDZOU) - Activist groups, including Mouvement Narawaze, are set to stage a protest march in Mamoudzou, Mayotte, on 25 May. The march has been called against the recent eviction of alleged immigrants from the main island, Grande Terre (Mahore) and against the associated alleged human rights abuses of the ethnic minority. Participants are expected to gather in the vicinity of the Place de la Republique from 19:30 local time and proceed to march to the French Embassy, where a rally will be held. The march is expected to be accompanied by an increased police presence. The march is the latest in protest activity against the eviction of alleged immigrants on the island in recent weeks, with a related protest having been held on 15 May. While the protest march is expected to conclude peacefully, the evictions have resulted in elevated ethnic tensions in the city; as such, the possibility of isolated skirmishes at the upcoming march cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of the march route and associated demonstration affected sites. Persons in Mamoudzou are advised to avoid all gatherings as a standard precaution. Furthermore, clients are advised to monitor local media for further details regarding the upcoming protest march and to exercise heightened personal and situational awareness at this time.

CHILE - Student unions, including Cones, have called for demonstrations in various locales in Chile on 26 May. The demonstrations have been called with regard to the ongoing dispute regarding education reforms. The largest of these demonstrations are expected in the capital, Santiago; with participants expected to stage a protest march from Plaza Baquedano (Plaza Italia) to Plaza los Heroes from 10:00 local time. Associated protest activity is also expected in the vicinity of the capital's La Moneda Palace. Associated protests are also expected in Valparaiso; further details regarding these are currently unavailable. Education sector protests and strikes take place frequently in Chile. While the demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, associated protest action has degenerated into violence. This was illustrated most recently in the violent protests that erupted in Valparaiso, in which at least one person was killed, on 21 May. As such, the possibility of similar incidents of violence occurring at the upcoming demonstrations cannot be discounted. The protests are expected to be well attended and accompanied by an increased police presence; localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of all protest areas, particularly in the capital. Clients in Chile on 26 May are advised to monitor local media for updates and to make allowances for travel disruptions in the vicinity of protest-affected areas. All street protests and concentration of security forces should be avoided as a precaution.

COLOMBIA - The 52nd founding anniversary of Columbia's left-wing rebel movement, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), will take place on 27 May. There is a somewhat elevated threat of attacks stemming from the group on the day. Acts of terrorism by the group have included car bombings, targeted assassinations and hijackings, as well as conventional and guerrilla warfare. Generally more active in rural areas, FARC has perpetuated attacks in urban centres as well. It should be noted, however, that the strength of FARC has been greatly diminished since 2002 and the group is not currently believed to possess the requisite military strength or public support to pose a significant challenge to the constitutional order in the country. However, FARC has maintained the capability to carry out low-level terrorist attacks, sabotage and kidnappings. Moreover, FARC and the Colombian government are at the final stages of a peace deal which was announced in September 2015, which has further diminished the potential for an attack. Nevertheless, possible attacks or violence on the commemorative day cannot be entirely discounted. Clients in Colombia on 27 May should exercise a heightened sense of situational awareness. All suspicious people, packages or activities should be reported to authorities immediately.

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

need assistance with your travel plans.