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

VENEZUELA (LUFTHANSA) - Germany-based airline, Lufthansa, has announced the temporary suspension of flights to Venezuela from mid-June. The suspension is reportedly in light of low demand and difficulties in transferring currency. It is not clear how long the suspension will last for. Persons intending to fly to and from Venezuela on Lufthansa flights should contact their travel provider or the airline for further information and for travel alternatives.

Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers with reservations on Lufthansa airlines who were ticketed through ATG.

VENEZUELA (LATIN AMERICA AIRLINES) - (Update) Latin America (LATAM) airlines has indicated on 30 May it will be suspending flights to Venezuela's capital, Caracas, from Brazil, Peru and Chile in the coming days and weeks due to the economic situation in the country. The announcement follows two days after Lufthansa indicated that it too was suspending flights to the country. The suspensions are unlikely to be the last and other international and regional airlines may curtail operations over the near-term. Clients intending to travel to and from Venezuela via air in the coming months should reconfirm flight(s) prior to departure. The checks should be done regularly in conjunction with your travel provider and airline.

SPAIN (MALAGA AIRPORT) - A strike by airport ground handling staff employed by EasyJet at Malaga Airport, in the city of Malaga in Spain, may result in disruptions on 31 May. The strike, which began at 00:01 local time on 31 May, is indefinite, and has been called over pay and working conditions. EasyJet spokespersons have stated that contingency plans have been put in place, and that disruptions will be minimal. Nonetheless, delays at the airport are still possible. It is unclear at this stage when the strike action will end. Clients should note that the strike may be cancelled at short notice. Clients intending to transit Malaga Airport are advised to contact their travel provider or airline for further information on the status of their flights.

Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers with reservations on EasyJet airlines who were ticketed through ATG.

BELGIUM (BRUSSELS & ELSEWHERE) - Union-led rallies are expected to result in disruptions in several major urban areas in Belgium, on 31 May. Several trade unions, including the CGSP and FGTB, have called for the rallies with regard to a number of labour-related grievances. The rallies also coincide with the general public sector strike called for on 31 May. The strike is set to affect a number of public services, including public transport services (air, rail and bus). The largest of these rallies is set to be held in the capital, Brussels. Participants are said to have begun proceeding from Boulevard du Roi Albert II since 11:00 local time to the Place de l'Albertine, where a rally will be held. The procession is expected to disrupt travel along a number of roads, including Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, Rue Royal, Rue de Namur, Porte de Schaerbeek and the Rogier tunnel. Travel disruptions are anticipated until 15:00, at least. Associated demonstrations are also expected in Ghent, Charleroi, and Namur. Further details regarding these are unavailable. While the rallies and associated demonstrations are expected to conclude peacefully, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Attendance at the associated events is expected to be high; as such, localised travel disruptions are anticipated. Persons in Belgium are advised to avoid all large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates and information regarding associated events.

TUNISIA (TUNIS) - Train drivers employed by the Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens (SNCFT) have called for a 24-hour strike on 1 June, in the vicinity of Tunisia's capital, Tunis. The strike is expected to impact lines in the southern suburbs of the city. Persons intending to utilise rail services in the Tunis area on 1 June are advised to contact their travel provider or SNCTF for updates on the status of rail services and for travel alternatives.

AFGHANISTAN (KUNDUZ PROVINCE) - At least 16 people have been killed and dozens more kidnapped following a Taliban-led attack on busses in Afghanistan's Aliabad district, Kunduz province, on 31 May. Reports indicate that Sunni militant Taleban fighters intercepted busses along a main road in the Kunduz province. Unconfirmed reports state that approximately 45 people were kidnapped by the armed group. Officials state that some passengers were released. Local authorities have launched an operation to locate and rescue the remaining victims. The attack underscores the persistent insecurity and the extreme risk of kidnapping in the country. There are multiple non-state armed groups, including militant and criminal organisations, involved in kidnapping operations. These are motivated by political and financial concerns. The Sunni militant Taleban fighters have been known to target members of the minority and largely Shiite Muslim Hazara ethnic group during kidnapping incidents. The group views Shiite Muslims as heretics and legitimate targets of attack. Furthermore, the incident affirms the elevated risk of travelling by road, even along major intercity routes, in Afghanistan. The security forces have minimal control of routes outside of major cities and the risk of being attacked or kidnapped is elevated in these areas. Clients are advised against all travel to Afghanistan. Persons operating in the country should travel with a close protection officer. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed and updated. Enhanced security measures are specifically recommended for persons travelling outside of major cities.

ZAMBIA (NDOLA, COPPERBELT PROVINCE) - Northern Technical College (NORTEC) students staged a protest and caused localised travel disruptions in the city of Ndola, Copperbelt province, in Zambia, on 31 May. Students were demanding the resignation of college management due to poor sanitary conditions at the university. The students reportedly blocked Chela Road with burning tyres, as well as a main road leading to the Kansenshi Shopping Complex. Security forces deployed to the affected areas have stabilised the situation and travel disruptions have since normalised. Incidents of violence have not been reported at present. Clashes between police and NORTEC students have occurred at previous related protests, where authorities fired teargas to disperse crowds. As the sanitation issue has yet to be resolved, the possibility of further demonstrations cannot be discounted. Possible unrest at these demonstrations poses an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Clients in Ndola in the short-term are advised to monitor local media for any updates regarding NORTEC demonstrations and possible travel disruptions. Clients are further advised to avoid all protests and related gatherings as a standard precaution.

ROMANIA (BUCHAREST) - Unionised teachers are set to stage a major demonstration in Romania's capital, Bucharest, on 1 June. The protest has been organised amid a dispute between labour unions and the Ministry of Education over pay and work conditions. Participants are expected to stage a protest march from Victoria Square to Cotroceni Palace, which is the official residence of the President, for a rally. The upcoming demonstration is expected to be well attended and will likely result in some localised travel disruptions. Violence is rarely reported at demonstration in Romania; however, the possibility of isolated skirmishes cannot be discounted. Unions have indicated that they would be willing to suspend the protest action should the government present an acceptable wage offer. Accordingly, the demonstration could be called off with little warning. 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.

COLOMBIA - The Colombian Federation of Education Workers (FECODE) has called for a countrywide strike and protest on 1 June. The agitation has been launched due to disputes regarding teachers' health benefits. Although it is unclear where and when the protests are scheduled to commence, associated gatherings are likely at public squares and outside government buildings in all major urban centres. The strikes and associated protests are expected to be well attended; as such, localised disruptions are anticipated in all affected areas. The risk of violence at the demonstrations is assessed to be low; however, the possibility of skirmishes between protesters and security forces cannot be discounted. Clients in Colombia on 1 June are advised to avoid all street protests as a standard precaution. Additionally, allowances should be made for potential travel disruptions.

BRAZIL (RIO DE JANEIRO, SAO PAULO, BELO HORIZONTE) - Activist-led protests and associated demonstrations are scheduled to take place in Brazil's cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, on 1 June. In Rio de Janeiro, protesters are set to gather at Cinelandia square in the downtown area of the city. In Sao Paulo, protesters are scheduled to gather on Paulista Avenue, in front of the Sao Paulo Museum of Art (MASP). In Belo Horizonte, protesters will meet at Praca Sete de Setembro. The aforementioned protests and associated demonstrations are all set to commence at 16:00 local time. The agitation comes as a response to a video, depicting a gang rape of a teenage girl, which was publicised on social media; thus calling for an end to sexual violence in the country. Due to the emotive nature of the incident, the aforementioned protests are expected to be well attended. Although the protests and associated demonstrations are expected to proceed peacefully, the risk of low-level confrontations between security forces and protesters cannot be discounted. Disruptions to road travel are likely in the vicinity of Cinelandia square, the MASP and Praca Sete de Setembro. Persons in the aforementioned urban centres on 1 June are advised to avoid all protests and associated demonstrations as a precaution. Furthermore, flexible itineraries should be maintained, in order to allow for localised travel disruptions.

KENYA - Kenya is set to celebrate Madakara Day, a national holiday commemorating the attainment of self-rule in 1963, on 1 June. Celebratory events are expected in larger urban centres across the country, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and the capital, Nairobi. The largest event is anticipated at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, where incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to preside over commemorative proceedings. In addition to government-sponsored celebratory events, it should be noted that Kenya's primary opposition bloc, the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), has called for a parallel demonstration at Uhuru Park in Nairobi. Although the event has reportedly been banned by authorities, CORD has asserted that their rally will continue as planned. Madakara Day festivities are likely to result in localised disruptions to travel and possibly to business operations on 1 June. In addition, it should be noted that Kenya is subject to a high threat of terrorism, which stems primarily from members and sympathisers of the Somalia-based al-Shabaab Islamist extremist group, as well as domestic militant groups. These groups have carried out both small-scale and mass-casualty attacks in the country in the past. National days, such as Madaraka, may offer such groups a convenient public platform to carry out attacks. Accordingly, elevated security procedures are set to accompany celebratory events; such measures may include the additional deployment of security forces and miscellaneous movement restrictions. Given current political tensions regarding CORD's ongoing agitations against Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), there is a credible threat that their gathering on 1 June will be forcibly dispersed by security forces. Clashes between police and demonstrators may pose an indiscriminate threat to bystanders. Persons in Kenya on 1 June are advised to monitor local media for updates on planned commemorative events, as well as related advisories from the authorities. All demonstrations and large street gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to exercise caution and heightened security awareness at venues where Madaraka Day celebrations will take place. All suspicious vehicles, packages and/or individuals should be reported to the relevant authorities.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Opposition activists have called for mass demonstrations across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 2 June. The protests are likely to be centred on the capital, Kinshasa, and other major urban centres, such as Lubumbashi and Mbuji-Mayi. The agitation has been organised to protest against a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court, on 11 May, that incumbent president Joseph Kabila could remain in office beyond his mandate if the country's forthcoming presidential elections were delayed. Opposition activists are concerned that Kabila may seek to purposefully delay the November elections as a result of the Constitutional Court's ruling. Political tensions remain the predominant catalyst for unrest in the DRC and protests often result in violent clashes between police forces and demonstrators. The potential for violence at the upcoming demonstration is underlined by an associated protest held on 26 May, where police forces used teargas to disperse crowds, and the deaths of a police officer and protester were reported. Such unrest poses an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Moreover, localised business and travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of demonstration-affected sites. Clients in the DRC on 2 June should avoid any protests and related gatherings as a standard precaution. Due to possible travel disruptions, clients should maintain flexible itineraries and plan accordingly. Furthermore, due to the ongoing threat posed by various armed groups, all travel to a number of eastern provinces is advised against. In addition, heightened caution should be exercised in the rest of the DRC, including Kinshasa, due to the high risks of crime and civil unrest.

GLOBAL - The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is expected to commence on 6 June; however, the actual starting date may vary from country to country (or between Muslim regions within countries), depending on the sighting of the new moon. Disruptions to business operating times and transportation schedules are anticipated in many areas for the duration of the period. Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar and is observed with the Fast of Ramadan, which commemorates the month when Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, tobacco and sexual activity from dawn to dusk for the duration of the month. Although non-Muslims are not bound by fasting, the degree of flexibility with regard to Ramadan traditions varies between countries. In some states, violations may be punishable with a fine or detention. In predominantly Muslim countries or regions, although tourist attractions remain open in most areas, business and transport services could be erratic; cafes and restaurants are likely to be closed during daylight hours. There is also increased pressure on the transport network during Iftar, a period prior to sunset when Muslims return home to break their fast. Clients should note that in some countries, security may be increased in response to a possible rise in criminal or militant activity. Persons in Muslim-majority communities and countries are advised to respect local cultural and religious sensibilities during this period, and refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Particular care should be exercised in or near religious sites and in rural areas. In addition, persons travelling within Muslim communities should monitor local media for information regarding possible regulations, restrictions or expected behaviour pertinent to non-Muslim visitors during Ramadan. Travel itineraries should also be planned with due consideration of the possibility of public transport disruptions during the Iftar period.

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