Header NEWS
 
Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:
   
FRANCE (CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT) - The US Embassy in France's capital, Paris, has indicated that workers at Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport, have called for a strike on 7 June. This could result in disruptions to airport operations, including flights. Associated protests by workers may also occur in the airport area during the course of the strike, should it proceed. Clients intending to travel to or from Charles de Gaulle Airport on 7 June should reconfirm the status of their flight(s) with their travel provider prior to departure. Street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.
 
We have run a Client Location Report and are rebooking customers who are directly affected by the strike and who were ticketed through ATG.

SOLOMON ISLANDS (SOLOMON AIRLINES) - Solomon Airlines flights have been temporarily suspended on 7 June. The suspension, which is set to be in effect for an indefinite period, comes as a result of financial difficulties experienced by the airline. The airlines' main operational hub, Honiara International Airport, is anticipated to be significantly affected by the suspension. Flight disruptions, including residual disruptions, are anticipated for the duration of the flight suspension, as well as when scheduled services resume. In addition, increased demand on other carriers is also expected in the near-term. Clients scheduled to fly with Solomon Airlines are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider to enquire as to the status of their travel arrangements.
 
Our records indicate your company does not have any travelers scheduled to fly on Solomon Airlines on June 7 who were ticketed through ATG.   
 
TURKEY (ISTANBUL) (Update) - It is the fourth major attack in Turkey's largest city this year. At least 11 people were killed after a bomb exploded near a bus carrying riot police in Istanbul on Tuesday. Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said the dead included seven police officers and four civilians. No group has said it carried out the attack, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pointed to the involvement of separatist Kurdish militants. The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and one of its offshoots have claimed attacks on Turkish security forces before. The attack happened near the city's historic Beyazit Square neighbourhood, a major tourist attraction, and an Istanbul university building. The explosives were remotely detonated as the bus passed through the busy Vezneciler district at the morning rush hour. About 36 other people were injured, he added. Clients in Istanbul should exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness, particularly in busy, crowded areas and in the vicinity of state personnel and facilities. Suspicious persons and packages should be reported to the authorities.
 
UNITED STATES (DELTA AIR LINES)
- Delta Air Lines will make all of its in-flight entertainment available to all passengers free of charge. Starting July 1, all movies, TV shows and music available from the carrier's "Delta Studio" offerings will be complimentary on all of Delta's two-class planes. Delta says those aircraft account for about 90% of the planes that fly under the Delta brand. Delta's programming lineup varies by aircraft, though Delta Studio pulls from a collection of 300 movies, 750 TV shows, 2,400 songs, 18 channels of live TV and a variety of games. On planes that do not have in-flight entertainment screens, customers have the option of streaming the content to their personal devices. Delta claims it will be the only U.S. carrier to make its entire in-flight entertainment available at no cost to all passengers.

UNITED KINGDOM (KENT & LONDON) - Severe delays and cancellations of Southeastern railway services following an earlier suspension of services, due to unscheduled emergency maintenance works, have been reported on 7 June. Services have mainly been disrupted along lines that run from Tonbridge and Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent and these have had knock-on delays to services running into the capital, London. While services are expected to resume at 12:00 local time, further disruptions to services are expected for the immediate-term.  Persons intending to utilise Southeastern services for the immediate-term are advised to contact the service provider to enquire about the status of services before departure. Clients are further advised to consider alternative travel arrangements in the immediate-term.

SWITZERLAND (ZURICH) - Rail services are said to have been disrupted in Zurich, Switzerland, on 7 June. At approximately 03:00 local time, a suspected arson attack damaged cable lines near Scharenmoosstrasse, disrupting Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) services between Zurich Oerlikon railway station and Zurich Airport, with associated disruptions to Glattbrugg (Opfikon municipality) also having been reported. It is currently unclear when services along the affected lines will resume; as such, further disruptions along the affected lines are set to resume for an indefinite period. Persons scheduled to utilise SBB services along the affected lines are advised to contact the service provider and monitor local media for updates on the status of available services. Clients are further advised to ensure that their travel itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate the ongoing service disruptions.

IRELAND (DUBLIN) - Irish Rail disruptions are anticipated following the evacuation of nearly 100 passengers on a Dublin-bound commuter train at the Clongriffin train station in Dublin, Ireland, on 7 June. The evacuation was reported due to an engine fire underneath one of the carriages, the cause of which remains unknown. Passengers were forced to evacuate the service operating between Drogheda to Pearse, which usually runs at 9:40 local time. The fire has since been extinguished; authorities are investigating the matter. Irish Rail has reported that delays to Northern Commuter and Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) services are anticipated in the coming hours. It is unclear when the full services will resume; however, once they do, residual disruptions may be expected. Clients planning to use rail services in Dublin are advised to confirm the status of their travel arrangements with their respective service providers.

MEXICO (SAN PATRICIO) - A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported off the west coast of Mexico on 7 June. The earthquake occurred approximately 56km south west of San Patricio, which is situated in Jalisco state. There have been no immediate reports of any property damage and/or casualties, and no tsunami warning has been issued. Reports of casualties, damage to utilities, and disruptions to transport, including road travel, may emerge in the coming hours. In addition, aftershocks may take place. Due to the possibility of further earthquakes and/or aftershocks in the affected area, clients are advised to take the necessary precautions, including following any directives issued by local authorities. Local media and emergency broadcast channels should be monitored for any updates and advisories from the local authorities.

KENYA (NAIROBI) - Widespread power outages have been reported in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on 7 June. Outages have been reported in the areas of Ruai, Kamulu, Githurai, Kahawa West, Mwihoko, Komarock, Kayole Market, Thindigua, Ndumbuini, Kabete Vet Lab, Pipeline, Airport Road, Clay City and Kihunguro. The outages were caused by a technical fault at the Gitaru Hydroelectric Power Station. Although some of the damaged infrastructure has since been repaired, intermittent disruptions continue to be reported. It is unknown when power will be fully restored. In light of the intermittent outages, disruptions to business operations, including transportation services, remain possible in the coming hours. Persons in the affected areas of Nairobi are advised to monitor local media. Allowances should be made for disruptions to travel.

BANGLADESH - Travel disruptions are possible in Bangladesh after authorities announced that the sale of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel will be restricted during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is underway and will last until or around 7 July. Specifically, the sale of CNG will be halted between 15:00 and 22:00 local time each day. The stated reason for this action is to ensure that there is sufficient supply of CNG to allow for food preparation during the evening hours, when observant Muslims will break their fast. CNG is the primary source of fuel for electricity generation in Bangladesh, as well as being used as automotive fuel, particularly by public transport vehicles such as busses, taxis and rickshaws. The halt in the supply of CNG to petrol stations will ensure a constant supply of electricity, but conversely, may lead to a shortage in the availability of public transport and a corresponding increase in the demand for private forms of transportation. As such, the possibility of travel disruptions during the aforementioned period cannot be discounted. Clients in Bangladesh until 7 July are advised to anticipate possible land-based travel disruptions and amend their travel plans accordingly.

BANGLADESH (DHAKA, GODAGARI) - Three people have been killed in counterterrorism operations across Bangladesh on 7 June. In the first incident, police officials stated that they shot and killed two high-ranking members of the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) Islamist extremist group in the capital, Dhaka, without providing more specific details. In another incident, an alleged JMB member was killed by police in an encounter in the town of Godagari, in Rajshahi district. Further details remain unavailable. Police have stated that the two individuals killed in Dhaka were linked to recent killings and attacks perpetrated by suspected Islamist extremists in recent months; these include a bomb attack on a Shiite mosque in Haripur in November 2015, and the murder of a university professor at Rajshahi University in April, amid others. More generally, these latest incidents underscore the medium threat from terrorism in the country, with a number of groups fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in the country. In recent years, terrorist groups, including JMB, have carried out a number of low-level attacks in the country. The security raid is the latest in a series of operations that have been conducted against militant groups in recent months. Due to the persistent threat from militant groups, further attacks, security operations and associated violence are likely in the short- to medium-term. Persons in Bangladesh are advised to avoid the recently affected area and exercise heightened levels of personal security awareness at all times. Clients are advised to monitor local media for further developments.

VENEZUELA (CARACAS) - According to reports, an Italian diplomat was found dead in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, early on 6 June. The victim, an administrative official at Italy's Consulate-General in Caracas, reportedly displayed signs of blunt trauma to his body, as well as stab wounds. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The motivation for the apparent murder, as well as potential suspect(s), remains unknown. Regardless of the motive for the incident, there exists a high-risk travel environment in Venezuela, where criminally and politically motivated armed groups are known to operate. Although violent crime incidents pose a high threat to both local and foreign nationals, the overall risk of crime increases during the night; this is further elevated for foreign nationals with a long-term presence in the country, as this most recent incident demonstrates. Due to political instability and associated concerns, all non-essential travel to Venezuela is advised against. Persons in Venezuela, regardless of location, are advised to remain cognisant of the security threats facing foreign nationals, including crime. Heightened caution is also advised in low-income neighbourhoods (barrios) of all major cities and towns, due to crime.

TUNISIA (KEBILI GOVERNORATE) - The authorities in Douz, a town located in Tunisia's southern Kebili governorate, have indicated that a night-time curfew (20:00 to 05:00 local time) will remain in place until the end of Ramadan (early July). The curfew was initially imposed on 4 June in response to communal violence, which was triggered by a land dispute between rival clans, in the Douz and Al-Qalah area. The extension of the curfew indicates that the authorities anticipate further violence over the near-term. This could impact on Douz or surrounding towns. The risk to visitors is largely incidental. Clients in the Kebili governorate should avoid all street protests or large public gatherings, and should avoid travel at night.

NEPAL (KATHMANDU) - Ethnic Madhesi groups are expected to embark on an indefinite strike and associated rally in Tundikhel Khulamanch, located in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, on 7 June. Participants are also scheduled to observe a hunger strike as part of the agitation and will launch a series of associated cultural programmes, set to take place amid the aforementioned strike. The recent announcement of further agitation is a continuation of the campaign initially launched in late April. The campaign was launched by The Federal Alliance, a coalition of four political parties, including the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), representing ethnic Madhesi interests. This follows months of inconclusive meetings between these political groups and the government regarding amendments to the recently promulgated constitution. The ethnic Madhesi people in the Terai region have long complained of discrimination from the government. It should be noted that protests initiated by the alliance may be disruptive at times and could include roadblocks and other civil disturbances. Low-level acts of violence, including clashes between police and protesters, remain possible. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in rally-affected areas. Clients in Kathmandu are advised to monitor local developments closely for information on the upcoming rally and strike-related activity. All demonstrations and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a standard precaution.

SOUTH AFRICA (KWAMASHU & NEWLANDS AREAS) - (Update) Protests have resumed in the KwaMashu and Newlands areas in Durban, South Africa, on 7 June. Security forces are currently monitoring affected areas, namely Inanda Road, Sea Cow Lake area, and Quarry heights. Reportedly the M19 highway towards Pinetown near Quarry Road/Mountbatten Drive is closed, as well as the M25 highway near Dube Village in KwaMashu. The agitation involves the lack of service delivery and councillor candidate lists ahead of local elections.  A number of roads were closed during protests on 6 June. Furthermore, cars were also set alight on North Coast Road and in the Sea Cow Lake area. The situation normalised in the afternoon when protesters gathered on North Coast Road and held meetings with the authorities deployed to the area. At least one person was shot and wounded by another protester. As such, even with heightened security in the affected area, the possibility of violence at the current protests remains credible. Furthermore, travel disruptions are anticipated in the affected areas; further road closures remain possible. Persons in Durban in the short-term should monitor local media for any updates regarding the protest action. The above-mentioned areas should be avoided as a standard precaution.

INDIA - Members of the Jat community, including the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), are reportedly scheduled to launch an agitation campaign in a number of states in India on 8 June. Protests are scheduled to take place in Jat-dominated areas in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan following reports of protests in the capital, Delhi, on 6 June and Haryana on 5 June. The campaign is expected to take place for the duration of June. Additionally, heightened security measures remain in effect in Haryana's districts and Delhi as a precaution against unrest. The Jat community is demanding reservation under the Other Backward Class (OBC) quota, the withdrawal of criminal cases against agitators during the associated February protests, and compensation for the families of those killed during said agitation. Road travel disruptions to and from the capital are possible if protesters block highways, as reported in previous related demonstrations. Additionally, increased security forces have been stationed in the vicinity of highways in Delhi, which is not likely to result in significant travel disruptions at present; however, may lead to severe congestion in the event of associated unrest. Although the protests are expected to conclude peacefully, previous protests in February were marred by violence and left at least 30 people dead. As such, the possibility of civil unrest and associated disturbances amid the upcoming protests are credible. Persons in the affected states are advised to avoid all protest actions, monitor local developments and anticipate localised travel disruptions. All street protests and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Allowances should be made for potential travel delays.

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