LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 16 APR 2019 APRIL 16, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Another multi-day severe weather will likely effect the central US this week. The storm will begin in the Plains and parts of the Midwest tomorrow. Severe thunderstorms will then spread to the Ohio Valley and deep South on April 18. By April 19, the storms should reach the East. Damaging winds, hail, tornadoes and flooding rain are all threats.

Via Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Amarillo, TX due to a pilot shortage. Flights are suspended until May 23; travelers are advised to reconfirm Via Airlines bookings.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Travelers in urban centers, including Algiers, should continue to avoid further antigovernment protests due to the potential for unrest. A nationwide demonstration has been planned for today, though specific details are unavailable. During a related gathering on April 12 in Algiers, police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse protesters near Place Maurice Audin; more than 100 people were arrested. Around 25 police officers were also injured in the disturbances.

Cameroon

An increase in measles cases has been reported in the Far North region. 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 characteristic rash. The illness can result in serious complications, particularly when very young children, the elderly or pregnant women are infected. All travelers should ensure they are fully immunized against measles.

Chad

An attack overnight on April 14-15 by the Nigeria-based extremist Boko Haram group on an army outpost in Bohama near Kaiga Kindjiria, serves as a reminder of the high travel risks in areas of Lac located west of Bol. Seven soldiers were killed, and 15 others injured, while 63 assailants were killed. Travelers in Chad are reminded to avoid nonessential travel to areas of Lac west of Bol due to the risks posed by rebel incursions, banditry, communal clashes, and terrorism. Essential travel requires robust journey management plans, including restricting road travel to daylight hours.

Congo (DRC)

A steady increase of measles cases has been reported. 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 characteristic rash. The illness can result in serious complications, particularly when very young children, the elderly or pregnant women are infected.

All travelers should ensure they are fully immunized against measles. Chikungunya activity has been reported in some regions. Chikungunya can cause severe illness, particularly in newborn babies, older adults, and people with underlying health issues such as diabetes, heart disease or a weakened immune system. There is no specific treatment and no vaccine. Travelers are advised to prevent infection by avoiding mosquito bites.

Iran

In the coming days, travelers in Ahvaz should anticipate further protests linked to recent flooding. On April 12-14, local residents staged protests denouncing the government’s response to the floods, including its alleged redirection of floodwater from the Hour al-Azim marshes to protect oil infrastructure, thereby damaging outlying farmlands and villages.

A heightened security force presence has been observed throughout the province, though no violent confrontations have been reported. Nonetheless, all protests should be avoided due to the credible potential for unrest.

Jordan

Today, travelers in Irbid are advised to avoid an ongoing march through the city center. Hundreds of protesters have gathered in front of Irbid Grand Mosque to march in the direction of the city’s municipal stadium in support of Hashemite sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause. While the demonstration should pass off peacefully, travelers should liaise with local contacts to plan routes avoiding the demonstration as a precaution and to minimize inconvenience stemming from local disruption.

Madagascar

In the coming hours, travelers in Antananarivo should avoid an ongoing disruptive protest near the University of Antananarivo as a precaution. Students have reportedly clashed with the police. Yesterday, a related protest was forcibly dispersed by security forces with tear gas. Students are calling for the resumption of classes, which have been suspended for almost one month. Further demonstrations are expected over the coming days, and bystanders face incidental risks in the event of unrest.

Malawi

The main runway at Blantyre’s Chileka International Airport (BLZ) will be closed between April 24 and July 24 for maintenance. Most major carriers, including Malawi Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways, will reroute their flights to Lilongwe’s Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) for the period. Travelers due to visit Blantyre in the coming months should make alternative travel arrangements. A secondary runway will continue to accommodate smaller aircraft.

South Africa

Two tourists were mugged on April 14 while hiking on the Pipe Track Trail in Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town. According to local reports, the tourists were confronted by two assailants armed with a knife who stole their personal items; one of the tourists sustained minor injuries during the incident, which occurred during daylight hours. The incident highlights the risk of muggings in Table Mountain National Park. Travelers intending to visit the park should do so in groups and during daylight hours, stay on marked paths, and ideally remain within sight of other visitors.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Bangladesh

Late yesterday, workers of state-owned jute mills ended an ongoing 96-hour strike following successful negotiations with officials of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation. Earlier in the day, protesting workers had blocked roads and railway tracks at various locations in Chittagong and Khulna divisions. Normal road movement can resume following the conclusion of the strike.

India

In the coming weeks, travelers flying with Jet Airways should continue to reconfirm schedules. Disruption to the carrier’s services persists amid ongoing financial difficulties. The airline has suspended all its international flights until at least April 18, with services to Singapore put on hold indefinitely. Pilots of Jet Airways indefinitely deferred their strike planned for yesterday to allow the airline management time to secure funds to pay salary arrears. Nevertheless, such an action could be held at short notice, exacerbating the ongoing disruption caused by the grounding of most of the airline’s aircraft.

Pakistan

At least 24 people were killed, and 50 others injured on April 12 when a bomb exploded at a market in the Hazarganji area of Quetta. Three security personnel were among the injured, and several buildings were damaged. A separate bombing on the same day at a marketplace on Mall Road in Chaman killed two people and injured ten others, including five security personnel. These incidents highlight the extreme travel risk for most of Balochistan, where sectarian violence is prevalent, and a long-standing ethic-Baloch separatist insurgency results in regular attacks.

EUROPE

Regional

In the coming weeks, travelers in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, and Sweden should anticipate and avoid planned protests by the Extinction Rebellion (ER) environmentalist activist group. Yesterday, related well-attended gatherings in central London caused widespread traffic disruption and resulted in several arrests. The ER is calling on governments to reduce carbon gas emissions. Similar gatherings are also likely in other countries in Europe.

France

Travelers in Paris should continue to avoid the vicinity of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, where a major fire yesterday caused the roof and main spire to collapse. Although emergency services had extinguished the fire earlier today, the surrounding Ile de la Cite remains cordoned off. Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Cite, and Cluny la Sorbonnemetro stations remain closed. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire started accidentally.

Germany

Normal operations have resumed today at Berlin’s Schonefeld Airport (SXF) following a temporary suspension of flights due to a military aircraft with technical issues blocking the runway. Travelers should anticipate some residual delays in the coming hours.

Hungary

Tomorrow, travelers due to fly via Hungary should anticipate disruption and reconfirm flights during a nationwide strike by air traffic controllers from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time.

Portugal

Travelers in Lisbon as well as the cities of Porto and Faro should anticipate travel disruption in the coming days amid an ongoing indefinite strike by dangerous goods drivers. The strike has impacted fuel supplies to public transport companies, gas stations, fire services, and ports in these cities; reports indicate that airports including Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) and Faro International Airport (FAO) may run out of fuel today. The union has indicated that the strike will continue until the government meets the drivers’ demands for official recognition of their job category.

Russia

Today, travelers in St Petersburg should liaise with local contacts to plan routes avoiding district court buildings, where evacuations have been ordered following the reported receipt of bomb threats. Facilities in the city’s Dzerzhinsky, Frunzensky, Kuibyshevsky, Nevsky, Petrogradsky, Primorsky, Pushkinsky, Vasileostrovsky, and Vyborgsky districts have been affected.

Spain

Until April 28, travelers in Spain should anticipate disruption due to a series of nationwide strikes by aviation, railway, and maritime staff. The workers have made various demands, including improved contracts and better working conditions. Travelers should reconfirm schedules and maintain flexible itineraries.

United Kingdom

Travelers in London should continue to anticipate and avoid further protests by the Extinction Rebellion (ER) environmentalist activist group. The next demonstration is scheduled at 11:00 AM local time today at Marble Arch. Yesterday, related gatherings in central London were attended by thousands of participants. Demonstrators erected roadblocks in several areas, including Oxford Circus, Parliament Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Waterloo Bridge; they also vandalized Shell’s headquarters on Belvedere Road. The protests caused nearby bus services to be suspended. More than 100 people were arrested. The ER is calling on the government to reduce carbon emissions.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

April 16
Cambodia: Khmer New Year Day
(Day 3)
Thailand: Songkran (Observed)
United States: Emancipation Day

April 17
American Samoa: Flag Day
Gabon: Women’s Rights Day
India: Mahavir Jayanti
Syria: Independence Day

April 18
Holy Thursday
Zimbabwe: Independence Day

April 20
Holy Saturday
Argentina, Australia, Canada,
Israel, United Kingdom, United
States: First Day of Passover
Philippines: Black Saturday
Pakistan: Shab e-Barat

April 21
Easter Sunday
Argentina: Second Day of Passover
Bangladesh: Shab e-Barat
Brazil: Tiradentes Day
Falkland Islands: Queen’s Birthday
Israel: Pesach II (Passover)
Iran: Imam Mahdi’s Birthday
Pakistan: Ridván
United States: San Jacinto Day

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