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LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 26 MAR 2019 MARCH 26, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Normal movement on Route 9 near the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick, MA can resume after the building was evacuated due to a reported shooting earlier today. While police received a report that a shot was fired within the hotel shortly before 3:00 AM local time, it has not been established that such an incident actually occurred, and no suspect has been located. Residual delays in the vicinity of the hotel are possible while police investigation continues.

Colombia

Travelers in the southwestern departments of Cauca, Huila, Narino, and Valle de Cauca should continue to plan journeys avoiding protests and associated roadblocks by indigenous groups. Roadblocks have halted transportation on major roads, including the Pan-American Highway…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 25 MAR 2019 MARCH 25, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Currently, travelers boarding domestic commercial flights within the United States and its territories are required to present IDs compliant with the REAL ID Act at all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints. All US states and territories are currently compliant with the REAL ID Act or were granted extensions to become compliant with the REAL ID Act. These extensions will expire on various dates in 2019 and if a state-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID) does not comply with the REAL ID Act by these dates, an alternate form of identification will be required by the TSA in order for residents of that state or territory to board a domestic flight.

Non-compliant states…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 22 MAR 2019 MARCH 22, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Today and tomorrow, travelers in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England should expect disruption as a low-pressure system moves through the area. Winter Storm Watches have been posted from far northeast Pennsylvania into central and upstate New York and parts of Vermont due to the possibility of hazardous conditions. Rain along the I-95 corridor could cause commuting delays from Washington DC to the New York City tri-state area. The possibility of wet snow will be confined to higher-terrain areas in upstate New York and northern New England. Low-end coastal flooding could also develop on the southern New England coast today.

Today, travelers in Midwestern states should continue to plan journeys accounting for disruption caused…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 21 MAR 2019 MARCH 21, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Today through Saturday, March 23, travelers in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England should expect disruption as a low-pressure system moves through the area. Winter Storm Watches have been posted from far northeast Pennsylvania into central and upstate New York and parts of Vermont due to the possibility of hazardous conditions tomorrow and Saturday, March 23.

Rain along the I-95 corridor could cause commuting delays from Washington DC to the New York City tri-state area. The possibility of wet snow will be confined to higher-terrain areas in upstate New York and northern New England. Low-end coastal flooding could also develop on the southern New England coast today and tomorrow.

Today, travelers in Midwestern states should…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 20 MAR 2019 MARCH 20, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

An outbreak of mumps has been reported in Philadelphia, PA. Mumps is caused by a virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. It is highly contagious, and nearly all cases occur among unvaccinated people. Symptoms include fever, painful and swollen glands, pain when swallowing, and in men, inflammation of the testes. Serious complications can occur. All travelers should ensure they are fully vaccinated against mumps.

Argentina

Today, travelers in urban centers, including Buenos Aires, should expect significant disruption and avoid demonstrations linked to a nationwide strike called by multiple public sector workers’ unions. Participating groups have said they will attempt to block access routes to Buenos Aires. Related rallies are also due to be…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 19 MAR 2019 MARCH 19, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Ongoing clusters of measles cases have been reported in the borough of Brooklyn and Rockland County, NY. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. Outbreaks occur frequently in undervaccinated populations. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and a characteristic rash. Measles can result in serious complications, particularly when very young children, the elderly or pregnant women are infected. All travelers should ensure that they are fully immunized against measles.

An outbreak of measles is ongoing in Clark County, WA. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. Outbreaks occur frequently in under-vaccinated populations. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and a…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 18 MAR 2019 MARCH 18, 2019

AMERICAS

Canada

Today, flights at Terminals 1 and 3 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) are operating normally, with the exception of departures to the United States from Terminal 1, which may still experience delays. The terminals were closed after a fire in Terminal 1 yesterday. Passengers transiting the facility should reconfirm flights prior to setting out and expect delays if traveling to the United States from Terminal 1.

Colombia

Today, travelers in urban centers should avoid demonstrations related to the controversial Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) law due to the potential for local unrest. Opposition and civic groups are protesting President Ivan Duque’s objection to several articles of the legislation, which they claim threaten the implementation of…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 15 MAR 2019 MARCH 15, 2019

AMERICAS

Regional

Today, travelers in urban centers should avoid student-led climate rallies to minimize inconvenience. Gatherings are likely to be peaceful but may result in local travel delays. Demonstrations will occur throughout the region, with major protests expected in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Mexico City, and Washington DC.

Travelers in the Americas should anticipate disruption and reconfirm flights during the global grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft until at least May. The measure, announced by Boeing on March 13, follows the March 10 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 flight. Travelers should monitor developments as investigations into the crash and safety inspections continue.

Canada

Today, travelers in Montreal should avoid a planned demonstration by…

LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 14 MAR 2019 MARCH 14, 2019

AMERICAS

Regional

Tomorrow, travelers in urban centers should avoid student-led climate rallies to minimize inconvenience. Gatherings are likely to be peaceful but may result in local travel delays. Demonstrations will occur throughout the region, with major protests expected in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Mexico City, and Washington DC.

United States

Yesterday, March 13, Boeing 737 MAX 8 & 9 aircraft were grounded in the United States in an Executive Order issued by President Trump, reversing an earlier decision by the Federal Aviation Administration. The temporary emergency order comes after safety regulators in more than 40 countries around the world banned the equipment. More than 350 Boeing 737 MAX 8 & 9 jets are in global fleets, 74 of which…

TRAVEL ALERT // BOEING 737 MAX 8 & 9

Background

On Sunday, March 10, Ethiopian Airlines flight #302 was scheduled to travel from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO); however, shortly after take-off, the aircraft’s pilot issued a distress call, and the flight fatally crashed near Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Adaba.

While an immediate cause of the crash has not yet been identified, the aircraft itself has come into question. In addition to Sunday’s fatal crash, a new Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight went down over the Java Sea last October, killing 189 people. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in its advisory Monday that it had not been provided with any information that would draw similarities between the incidents…