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Follow US Airport delays and closures by visiting the Federal Aviation Authority flight delay information website and a list of cancelled flights can be found at: FlightAware for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use.

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use.

UK: Predicted snowfall in the South East of England during the evening of 4 February 2012 [February 2012]
Travelmole 03Feb12

Snow is predicted to fall across the South East of England Saturday evening.

We recommend that passengers allow additional time to travel to the airport
on the evening of Saturday 4 February and the morning of Sunday 5 February.

Currently all flights are planned to operate as scheduled.

Should there be "significant" snowfall please check the flight status of your flight before travelling to the airport. The most up-to-date method is via your airline's web-site.

In addition, we encourage you to update your mobile phone details in the 'My Booking' or 'Manage My Booking' section of your airline's website to allow your airline to send text messages in the event of any significant disruptions.

ctms has emergency staff on duty over the weekend. Should emergency assistance be required please email 24@ctmstravel.com or call 07939 207146.

UPDATE: 04Feb 1650: Snow threat forces Heathrow to cancel almost a third of flights

Heathrow Airport has cancelled 30% of its flights for Sunday following a weather warning from the Met Office.

Heavy snowfall is expected in the southeast of England overnight and Heathrow said a reduced flight schedule had been agreed to minimise disruption to passengers.

A revised scheduled showing which flights will operate will be published on www.heathrow.com at 18:00hrs today.

A further revised schedule with additional cancellations may be made on a rolling basis, it said. Latest forecasts show snow is expected to start falling at Heathrow from 17:00hrs on Saturday until 06:00 tomorrow, with heavy snowfall between 21:00hrs and 03:00hrs.

As much as 15cms of snow may cover the southeast and visibility on Sunday is likely to be reduced with freezing fog from 18:00hrs.

Heathrow chief operating office Normand Boivin, said: "This decision ensures that the greatest number of passengers can fly with the minimum amount of disruption. It also means that those passengers whose flights are cancelled will know in advance, and can make alternative arrangements or rebook in relative comfort."

British Airways said it will publish details of flight cancellations later today, meanwhile Virgin Atlantic is offering all passengers due to fly tomorrow the option to rebook to travel on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

Gatwick Airport is also warning of possible disruption to flights on Sunday and promised to update passengers on its website and via Twitter.

EGYPT: American tourists "kidnapped" [February 2012]
Travelmole 03Feb12

Two American women tourists have been snatched by gunmen in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, according to Egyptian officials.

Their small tour bus was attacked by masked men with machine guns while travelling with three other tourists from St Catherine's monastery on Mount Sinai to Sharm el-Sheikh.

The gunmen reportedly took money and valuables from the tourists before grabbing the tour guide and the two women, forcing them into a vehicle and driving into the mountains.

It is believed the women are being held for ransom.

According to Egyptian state television, police teams and a military plane are searching for the Americans.

PHILIPPINES: reminder of threat from kidnapping [February 2012]
FCO 02Feb12

There is a threat from kidnapping in the Philippines,
particularly in the south. Kidnapping could occur anywhere, including on coastal and island resorts and dive boats and
sites in the Sulu Sea.

On 1 February two foreign nationals were kidnapped from Parangan in the township of Panglima Sugala in the Tawi Tawi island province.

On 5 December 2011, an Australian citizen was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay.

To read the full travel advice for Philippines please click here.

USA: Alaskan volcano could disrupt international air travel [February 2012]
02Feb12

Officials are monitoring a remote Alaska volcano that could launch an ash cloud, potentially threatening intercontinental flights.

"Eruptive activity" of Cleveland Volcano was detected in satellite data, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The volcano, also known as Mount Cleveland, is on the Aleutian Islands, southwest of mainland Alaska.

FRANCE: Air France Workers Seek Strike [February 2012]
Skyblog.net 02Feb12

Air France SA unions for pilots, cabin attendants and ground workers have called on the airline’s employees to strike from Feb. 6 at 1:00 a.m. Paris time through Feb. 9 to protest a bill going before the French senate that would oblige each employee planning to strike to give 48 hours’ notice, the unions said in an e-mailed statement.

The unions said in the statement they didn’t necessarily think the bill would be voted into law. Air France considers the subject of guaranteeing services at airports a matter for the state and is committed to preserving employees’ right to strike, the carrier said in an e-mailed statement.

David Ricatte, a spokesman for the CGT union and a flight mechanic said by telephone that he didn’t know how many workers would join the strike and said workers would have a clearer idea on Feb. 6.

HUNGARY: Hungary Prepares Possible Malev Grounding [February 2012]
02Feb12

Hungary's government published decrees to prepare for a possible stoppage of national airline Malev, just hours after the carrier said it still hoped that a potential buyer could
save it.

The decrees, published on the official legal gazette's
website, set down rules of compensation for passengers
from state coffers in case Malev stops its flights, and March 31 as the deadline for the submission of compensation claims.

Government spokesman Andras Giro-Szasz said the existence of a Budapest-based air carrier remained Hungary's interest.

He told the television channel ATV that Malev's management would prepare a liquidity management plan by the weekend.

UPDATE: 03Feb: Malev Stops Flying as Hungary Cuts Its Losses

Hungarian flag-carrier Malev ceased operating early on Friday morning after 66 years of almost continuous service, after its planes were held overseas for unpaid debts.

SPAIN: Iberia Pilots announce further strike dates [February 2012]
Skyblog.net 02Feb12

1st February 2012 SEPLA pilots who work for Iberia have announced five more days of 24 hour strike action in protest at the airline’s intention to establish a new low-cost carrier, Iberia Express.

The stoppages are on February 3, 17, 20, 24 and 29 and come in addition to the strike called by the ground staff and cabin crew unions, Stavla, CTA and CNT. The unions consider they must defend the medium and short haul services inside the current structure of Iberia. They consider that the airline’s plans to move 40 planes to establish Iberia Express ‘puts 5,000 jobs in danger’.

Read more http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_33567.shtml

SPAIN: Thousands stranded after Spanair shuts down [January 2012]
Travelmole 30Jan12

Vueling Quick to Expand After Spanair Collapse

Spanair has left more than 20,000 passengers stranded
after running out of financing options.

The Barcelona-based airline has ceased operations leading
to 647 flight cancellations.

UK low cost airlines, EasyJet and Ryanair are both offering options to passengers hit by the collapse. Spanair said it is also working with Vueling, Iberia & Air Europa to find alternatives for passengers.

The airline said it was finalizing an agreement with IATA to get refunds for those with tickets that had yet to travel.

A statement on the airline’s website advised customers with reservations to contact their credit card company, insurance company or travel agency.

"Due to these exceptional circumstances all our flights are cancelled," the statement said.
Spanair made the decision to halt operations after learning they would not receive government backed loans and talks fell through with Qatar Airways about potentially taking a stake in Spanair.

The collapse of a scheduled carrier has led to suggestions that Europe's debt crisis may spark airlines from the Mediterranean to the Baltic to consider mergers or risk failure.

SAS Group issued a statement this weekend saying that Spanair’s board of directors had decided to apply for bankruptcy.

SAS divested most of its ownership in Spanair in early 2009, but it had a remaining exposure of about 1.8 billion Swedish krona leading the airline to issue profit warning.

"SAS Group will follow customary procedures as a creditor in the upcoming bankruptcy process," it said.
Spanair, a Star Alliance airline, issued a statement almost exactly a year ago warning that it was in an emergency financial situation. The airline was still recovering after an air crash in 2008 which killed 154 people.

The Spanish government says it is taking legal action against Spanair, which could result in a fine of 9million euros, for suspending its flights without proper warning

WORLD: Flights rerouted as massive solar storm slams Earth [January 2012]
Skyblog 24Jan12

An immense blast of plasma spewed late Sunday night from the sun leading to the strongest radiation storm bombarding our planet since 2005, and a rare warning from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency -- and even a plan to redirect certain high-flying airplanes.

"There is little doubt that the cloud is heading in the general direction of Earth," Spaceweather.com announced in an
alert. The blast from the immense solar radiation storm let loose with a so called coronal mass ejection (CME) that will hit the atmosphere Tuesday morning, something NASA and NOAA monitor for as it could cause problems for astronauts, communications satellites, and even rocket launches.

“A preliminary inspection of SOHO/STEREO imagery suggests that the CME will deliver a strong glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on Jan. 24-25 as it sails mostly north of our planet," SpaceWeather’s bulletin read. It could also affect navigation and the power grid.

UPDATE 25Jan: Washington: Solar radiation from a massive sun storm - the largest in nearly a decade - collided with the Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday, prompting an airline to reroute flights and sky watchers to seek out spectacular light displays.
US carrier Delta Air Lines said it had adjusted flight routes for transpolar journeys between Asia and the United States to avoid problems caused by the radiation storm, a spokesman said.

NASA confirmed the coronal mass ejection (CME) began colliding with Earth's magnetic field around 10:00 AM (1500 GMT) Tuesday, adding that the storm was now being considered the largest since October 2003.

Radiation storms are not harmful to humans, on Earth at least, according to the US space agency. They can, however, affect satellite operations and short wave radio.
The storm's radiation, likely to continue bombarding Earth's atmosphere through Wednesday, and its possible disruption to satellite communications in the polar regions prompted the flight rerouting, airline officials said.

Atlanta-based Delta, the world's second largest airline, said "a handful" of routes had their journey adjusted "based on potential impact" of the solar storm on communications equipment, spokesman Anthony Black told AFP.

Routes from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul took a more southerly route after the solar flare erupted on Sunday.

The airline said it would continue to monitor solar activity before return flights to their normal routes.

Due to the unusual intensity of the photons raining on Earth, the spectacular aurora borealis - the stunning "Northern Lights" display - which is often seen closer to the Arctic pole at this time of year, has been seen as far south as Scotland and Northern England, and at lower latitudes in the United States.

The event started late Sunday with a moderate-sized solar flare that erupted right near the centre of the Sun, said Doug Biesecker, a physicist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center.

"The flare itself was nothing spectacular, but it sent off a very fast coronal mass ejection traveling four million miles per hour (6.4 million kilometres per hour)," he told AFP.

Space weather watchers said the best aurora sightings are normally around midnight local time.

Rob Stammes, who runs the Lofoten Polar Light Centre in Lofoten, Norway said the CME's arrival Tuesday had produced a surge in ground currents outside his laboratory.
"This could be a happy day for many aurora watchers," he told aurora tracker website spaceweather.com

NIGERIA: Emergency Message Issued Over Ongoing Security Concerns [January 2012]
US & UK Governments 23Jan12

Due to recent significant events throughout Nigeria, notably the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in the Niger Delta and the bombings in Kano by alleged elements of Boko Haram, the U.S. Embassy would like to remind all U.S. citizens to review personal security measures. Due to ongoing security concerns, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria has temporarily deferred travel of government personnel to Northern Nigeria.

FCO issues Nigeria travel warning following explosions:
The Foreign Office is warning against all but essential travel to the city of Kano in northern Nigeria after more than 100 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks against police and government buildings.

It said British nationals in the city should remain vigilant and exercise caution following the attacks last Friday by Islamist group Boko Haram.

"A number of curfews are being enforced across Nigeria. British nationals are urged to comply with all curfews," said an FCO spokesman.

Travellers have been advised to keep monitoring the FCO’s travel advice on Nigeria.

EUROPE: Round up of forthcoming strike action [January 2012]

BELGIUM: Brussels - Flightcare Handling on strike. 20 January
Striking workers of Flightcare have not started work today: strike continues. Airlines work hard to reduce impact to passengers

BELGIUM: General strike called for 30 January
Trade unions have called a general strike for 30 January in protest over plans to cut spending. The strike will take place the same day that an EU summit meeting will take place in Brussels. Both private and public sector workers have been called to take part in the strike after consultations with the government made little headway, according to reports in Belgian media.

The strike could impact all public transport, including high-speed trains connecting Brussels with Amsterdam, London, and Paris.

UPDATE: 27Jan12 Pilots agree to join general strike:
Planes may be grounded at the main airport in Brussels on Monday, 30 January after pilots agreed to take part in a general strike. The Charleroi airport is expected to be closed after unions said that they would blockade the main entrance to the terminal. At present it is certain that there will be some disruption to airlines in and out of Brussels and further details on the extent of the disruption will be reported on as they become available.

UPDATE: 27Jan12 Eurostar:
The 19:04 service from London on Sunday 29 January will terminate at Lille and a bus service will be in place between Lille Europe and Brussels Midi. On Monday, Eurostar will be running a service to Lille and a bus service will be in place between Lille Europe and Brussels Midi stations.

FRANCE: Major flight disruption as controllers’ stage strike at Lille Airport 18 January
An air traffic controllers' strike has caused major disruption to flight services at Lille-Lesquin Airport near Fretin, Lille. The majority of airlines had cancelled flights to and from the airport on 17th January and air traffic controllers have indicated that they intend to continue with strike action on 18th January creating further severe disruption. Customers intending to travel through the Lille-Lesquin Airport on 18th January are advised to contact their airline or the airport prior to departure to confirm the status of their flight although the airports website was showing the majority of scheduled flights as cancelled.

SPAIN: Iberia faces more Pilot strikes from Jan. 25
Iberia (IB) is facing a new wave of strikes by its pilots represented by the SEPLA union, while ground workers and cabin crew have also voted for industrial action, although for different reasons.

Pilots will strike Jan. 25, Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 to protest company plans to create a lower-cost carrier, Iberia Express.

TAIWAN: Ground staff union threatens to go on strike at Kaohsiung airport [January 2012]

Ground staff at Kaohsiung International Airport in southern Taiwan on Thursday threatened to go on strike during the Lunar New Year holiday after the latest round of labor-management negotiations over a pay raise broke down.

This year's Lunar New Year holiday starts Jan. 21 and runs for nine days.

GREECE: A general strike is expected on 17 January [January 2012]
FCO Travel Advice Update 16Jan12

A general strike is expected on 17 January, causing disruption to some public transport services in Athens (buses and trolley buses will operate from 07:30-22:00 only; trains will be suspended from 10:00-13:00).

Demonstrations are expected to take place at Omonia Square and Klafthmonos Square in central Athens from 11:00.

CYPRUS: Cyprus Air traffic controllers announce strike [Januray 2012]
Cyprus Mail 12Jan12

Air traffic controllers yesterday announced two four-hour strikes later this month that will affect all flights to and from the Republic’s two airports because they want to be exempted from austerity measures put in place last year in a bid to save the
ailing economy.

At the same time, a couple of political parties added their voice
to calls from businesses who want legal regulation of strikes in essential services, to prevent the country from being held hostage by people “handling national wealth.”

They announced a four-hour strike from 1pm at the control towers of Larnaca and Paphos airports on January 18 and 25 – both Wednesdays – the busiest days of the week.

UPDATE: 12Jan Chaos reigns at Larnaca Airport as air traffic controllers strike

All departures from Larnaca airport have ceased from 3pm until 7pm today after air traffic controllers called a wildcat strike.

Only one member of staff was working in the airport’s control tower, until he fell ill at noon and left.

Cyprus Airways said around 1200 passengers on 10 scheduled flights have been affected.

UPDATE: 18Jan Air traffic controllers are set to walk out at Larnaca Airport and Paphos Airport today between 1pm and 5pm local time. As a result of this there may be the possibility of disruption to flights.

NIGERIA: Strike to close airports nationwide from Monday [January 2012]
FCO 06Jan12

Nigeria’s two main trade unions, the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress, have called an indefinite general strike, starting from Monday 9 January 2012, to protest against the removal of the subsidy. The declared aim of the strike is to close all offices, airports and seaports, banks, markets and
petrol stations.

We understand that Arik Air, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic KLM, Lufthansa and Ethiopian Airline plan to operate a normal international service on Monday, however, you should still check with your airline before departure. We assess that there is a higher chance of disruption on domestic routes.

Reportedly the airport in Abuja will open and operate as normal on Monday, but it remains possible that there may be disruption to ground services at the airports, or on main roads between airports and cities, which in turn may cause airlines to cancel flights. All airlines have confirmed that if there are disruptions to flights, they will inform passengers about cancellations and rescheduled flights.

As part of their strike announcement, the trade unions have advised people to stock up on food and water, and also warned that banks and petrol stations will be closed. You may wish to consider stocking up on food, water, fuel and cash before Monday. Should political tensions mount, we advise you to keep a low profile, stay alert to local developments and stay away from areas of sensitivity, including large gatherings of people.

UPDATE: FCO 12Dec12 There have been demonstrations and rallies in most Nigerian towns and cities against the removal of the petrol price subsidy, which took effect on 1 January 2012. Some of these have resulted in clashes between the police and demonstrators, with some fatalities reported. You are advised to avoid all such demonstrations.

A number of curfews are being enforced. In the city of Kano, a curfew is in force between 18:00 and 06:00, following protests. In the city of Kaduna a 24 hour curfew was put in place at 21:00 on 10 January and may be extended. During this time of heightened tension we advise British citizens in Kano and Kaduna to stay inside and restrict movements to an absolute minimum.

SPAIN: Iberia pilots announce further strike dates [January 2012]
ETR 04Jan12

Iberia's pilots are planning further industrial action on:

Monday, 09th January &
Wednesday, 11th January

which will cause many cancellations & delays to Iberia's planned operating schedule, with a subsequent repercussions to the whole of their network.

Iberia have eased our fare conditions to allow changes to flight dates for affected flights. Should your flight be affected by this action ctms we will contact you with alternative available options.

All other flights to and from Spain are expected to operate as normal as are flights operated by Iberia's subsidiary, Air Nostrum, and code-shares operated by partner airlines.

UPDATE 17:30 04Jan12: Iberia say four flights from Heathrow to Madrid will be cancelled on both days along with flights to and from Madrid operating to Miami, Bogota, Lima, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. Delays to other flights are likely.

UPDATE 16:50 11Jan12: Iberia has cancelled 104 flights today during a one-day strike by pilots protesting the company's planned new budget carrier. Iberia has rescheduled flights for most of the estimated 10,000 passengers on long-haul, medium-haul and domestic flights today. This is the fourth one-day strike in less than a month by pilots.

UPDATE 16:20 20Jan12: Iberia (IB) is facing a new wave of strikes by its pilots represented by the SEPLA union, while ground workers and cabin crew have also voted for industrial action, although for different reasons.

Pilots will strike Jan. 25, Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 to protest company plans to create a lower-cost carrier, Iberia Express.

UK: Adverse weather causing delays and cancellations - Tuesday 03 [January 2012]
Travelmole/ABTN 03Jan12

UK airports are experiencing cancellations and delays due to the severe weather.

Passengers are advised to contact the airline or airport for up to date information. Should any flight be affected by the weather ctms, where advised in advance by the airline, will alert you and offer any suitable alternatives.

Edinburgh airport is closed to inbound flights and departing flights are being assessed on an individual basis.

The airport said there are significant delays and 42 cancellations already.

Part of the terminal and the taxi rank has been damaged although the access road has been reopened.
Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow airports are also among the airports showing cancellations and delays.

Heathrow saw 63 inbound and 61 outbound cancellations this morning while other flights were affected by delays of up to several hours. A spokeswoman said that the situation was “improving” after lunchtime as the skies cleared in the London area.

A spokeswoman for Gatwick said there were eight outbound cancellations while six flights were diverted to other UK airports such as Stansted, Southampton and East Midlands.

“We have 50 aircraft movements per hour so the impact of the weather was minimal,” she added. “We are getting back to normal operations. There were no delays just a few cancellations.”

On Brittany Ferries, the Portsmouth to St Malo service has been diverted to Cherbourg due to adverse weather.

BELGIUM: General Strike in Belgium - Thursday 22 [December 2011]
Reuters/Eurostar 20Dec11

Belgian workers in public transport, schools, hospitals and government buildings will stage 24-hour strikes later this week in protest over pension reform, part of the new government's austerity plan to reduce the budget deficit.

The country's rail system will stop operating from 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Wednesday and other public services from the post to the metro will shut down on Thursday.

Probably Belgocontrol (Air Traffic) and Pilots will join the strike. Maybe Belgium air space will be closed.

EUROSTAR: The Belgian rail network will be closed and Eurostar plus onward connecting rail services will not be able to operate to or from Brussels during this period.

On Thursday 22 December, a number of special trains will operate between London and Lille Europe station only. A limited replacement bus service will be in place between Lille Europe and Brussels Midi stations. However, demand is likely to be extremely high for these buses and we expect congestion at the stations as a result. If travellers are booked to travel on Thursday 22 December (or on the 19:04 departure from London on Wednesday 21 December) we recommend they exchange their ticket to travel either before or after Thursday 22 December. Eurostar will allow exchanges regardless of ticket conditions however will be subject to space availability on alternative services.

UPDATE 22Dec 1310: Currently no problems at Brussels, Ostende, Charleroi, Antwerp airpots. Only Li1ege (Luik) is closed. There is no public transport in Belgium to reach any airport.

Airporty updates can be followed at:

http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/
http://www.charleroi-airport.com/
http://www.ost.aero/
http://www.antwerp-airport.be/
http://www.liegeairport.com/home

FRANCE: Lyon airport strike enters 4th day [December 2011]
The Anvil 19Dec11

Security officers have gone on strike for a 4th straight day today. It is also feared that action could spread to other airports. Around 30% of Monday morning's flights have been cancelled. All morning flights were cancelled at Lyon's Saint-Exupery airport on Sunday while passengers at Paris' Roissy airport were waiting up to ninety minutes to clear security. Passengers have been advised not to bring unusually shaped bags to airports, such as skis or golf bags. Such bags "would not be loaded on-board," said an official at Lyon's airport.

UPDATE 23Dec: Police have been sent to Paris's main Charles de Gaulle airport today to ensure a strike by security workers does not hamper holiday travel. The strike has stretched into a seventh day on Thursday. Several international flights have been delayed at the airport. Security workers have gone on strike for a wage increase.

UPDATE 27Dec: The 11-day strike by French airport-security personnel is over after employers and 4 unions signed an agreement on new pay and working conditions. The strike caused delays and some flight cancellations at Lyon's airport and at terminal 2 of Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport.

UK: Country put on 'severe weather alert' [December]
Clickgreen.org.uk 11Dec11

Two huge storms are forecast to batter many parts of the UK
this week with London and the south of England set to bear
the brunt of the severe conditions from tomorrow.

And Scotland looks likely to receive a second storm battering
on Thursday and Friday as yet another massive destructive weather system heads in from the North Atlantic.

The UK Met Office has this afternoon extended its severe weather warning for the capital and areas of the south of England for Monday and Tuesday as the first huge Atlantic storm looks set to crash in on Monday evening.

Forecasters are warning of strong winds and torrential rain that have the potential to cause flooding and travel disruption.

A second, much larger storm, is now forecast to affect the entire country from next Thursday, bringing with it severe gales and worsening conditions.

Current weather models predict winds well in excess of 80mph will sweep across the entire UK on Friday afternoon - winds are classified as hurricane-force from 74mph.

A yellow severe warning alert issued at lunchtime today warned the entire west coast of the UK would be affected as the monster storm sweeps in from the Atlantic.

The advisory, which is valid from 6pm on December 15, currently warns: “Rapidly strengthening winds and heavy rain are likely to arrive across the west later on Thursday, heralding another potentially stormy period.

“The public is advised to monitor warnings for this period, noting that the alert is likely to be extended into Friday in due course.”

Meteorologists say the current spate of extreme wet and windy conditions are as a result of freak conditions in the upper atmosphere over the North Atlantic Ocean.

Forecaster Tim Ballisty of Atlanta-based weather.com explained that while the UK was in the icy grip of the Big Freeze this time last year, this year a shift in atmospheric conditions meant the country would be prone to more extreme weather and Atlantic storms.

He explained: “In 2011, there was what was known as the 'Greenland Block' that virtually created a traffic jam in the atmosphere – the Arctic air that normally progresses from West to East was forced to plunged Southward and created the Big Freeze across much of the northern hemisphere, including the East Coast of the US and much of Europe.

“However this year, there is no 'Greenland Block' so these weather systems can freely pass from West to East unobstructed and gather destructive power on their way across the ocean.

“These storms are all part of the seasonal change and look very likely to continue.”

SPAIN: Iberia pilots announce strike dates [December]
Skynetblogs 12Dec11

Iberia pilots to vote on strike over new airline

The pilots and crew of Spanish air carrier Iberia will decide on Nov. 30 whether to take strike action against the company's
plans to launch a low-cost carrier with new, and cheaper, personnel, a union spokesman said.

"Our pilots support the strike, while among the crew some unions are in favour and others against," a spokesman for the Sepla pilots union said on Tuesday.

UPDATE NOV 30: Pilots of the Spanish airline Iberia are to go on strike in December to protest the creation of a low-cost Iberia subsidiary, the trade union Sepla said Tuesday.

The union did not give the dates of the strike. It was trying to get cabin personnel and other Iberia staff to join its protest against the creation of Iberia Express, which is due to be launched in April 2012.

UPDATE DEC 7: The pilots of Spain's Iberia have agreed to strike on December 18 and December 29 in protest of management's plans to create a low-cost air carrier.

UPDATE DEC 19: Iberia cancelled 100 flights in Spain yesterday. Around 12,000 passengers were affected by the 24 hour strike. Workers protested at the creation of a subsidiary budget airline. 98 per cent of passengers have been rebooked on other flights, or provided with alternative transportation. Another strike is planned for December 29.

UPDATE DEC 28: Iberia pilots will be on strike tomorrow after talks relating to a new budget airline and the pay levels it will offer failed. The airline says that 118 flights out of a scheduled 329 flights will be cancelled however they added that they have made new arrangements for nearly all of the passengers affected. A previous strike took place on 18 December leading to the cancellation of around 100 flights.

UAE: Fire closes Dubai airport transfer desk [December]
08Dec11

Transfer desk ‘E’ at Dubai International Concourse 1 is closed today as the result of the damage caused by a faulty light fitting which caught fire late last night, A Dubai Airports statement said.

The situation was quickly contained with no injuries or health issues reported. One flight was delayed as result of the desk closure, it said.

ICELAND: Expert warns of Icelandic volcano threat [December]
Travelmole 02Dec11

Iceland could be facing its most powerful volcanic eruption in nearly
a century, according to an expert.

Katla, with its 6.2 mile crater, has been monitored since a
disturbance on 9 July as it could cause severe flooding if it melts glaciers above it, reports the BBC.

But despite suggestions that an eruption could be 'imminent', no one knows what the real impact may be as it depends on the type of eruption and other external factors.

Ford Cochran, National Geographic expert on Iceland said: "This difficulty is very apparent when you compare the last two eruptions in Iceland - Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 and Grimsvotn in 2011.

"Eyjafjallajokull, which brought air traffic to a halt across Europe, was a relatively small eruption, but the unusual chemistry of the magma, the long duration and the weather pattern during the eruption made it very disruptive. "

"There has been a great deal of seismic activity," added Cochran.

"There have been more than 500 tremors in and around the caldera of Katla just in the last month, which suggests the motion of magma.

"And that certainly suggests an eruption may be imminent."

Katla's last major eruption occurred in 1918 and caused such a large glacier meltdown that icebergs were swept by the resulting floods into the ocean.

The volume of water produced in a 1755 eruption equalled that of the world's largest rivers combined.

Iceland is unique because it straddles two tectonic plates.

Link to Katla's earthquake activity

USA: American files for bankruptcy protection [November]
Travelmole 29Nov11

Oneworld partner American Airlines has filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection to shield it from its creditors while it
restructures its debt.

The airline said it expected to continue normal business operations throughout the reorganisation process.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the airline said it needed time to address its cost structure, including its labour costs which are higher than its competitors. "Our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11, has become increasingly untenable given the accelerating impact of global economic uncertainty and resulting revenue instability, volatile and rising fuel prices, and intensifying competitive challenges," it said.

Chapter 11 allows a company to continue operating, giving it time to restructure. American's competitors US Airways and United Airlines have both sought bankruptcy protection in the past.

American said it was continuing its normal flight schedule and would honour all tickets and reservations, refunds and exchanges.

The airline's frequent flyer programme AAdvantage would not be affected, it said.

"American's customers are always our top priority and they can continue to depend on us for the safe, reliable travel and high quality service they know and expect from us," said chairman, CEO and president Thomas W. Horton.

"American serves 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories, and we are committed to maintaining a strong presence in worldwide markets. I am confident American will emerge even stronger as a global leader known for excellence and innovation, a travel partner customers seek out, and a carrier that serves communities throughout the world."

UK: Border Agency Strike [November]
23Nov11

Members of the Public and Civil Servants Union have voted in favour
of industrial action on the 30th November 2011.

The industrial action will involve the UK Border Agency who look after passport control and Immigration at all airports.

The strike is therefore likely to affect arriving flights at Airports across the UK.

This may cause some delays to passengers arriving in the UK.

The industrial action is very unlikely to have any affect on departing passengers.

UPDATE: FCO Information for travellers

EUROPE: Fog Disrupts flights in London and across Europe [November 2011]
21Nov11

Weather problems across the Europe as causing significant
delays in:

London
Amsterdam
Brussels
Vienna
Paris

According to the BBC, thousands of passengers are facing a second day of disruption as fog continues to force the cancellation of flights in and out of London.

Heathrow Airport and London City Airport, which were disrupted throughout Sunday, are affected. By 06:55 GMT, 37 arrivals and 22 departure flights from Heathrow had been cancelled.

Ten flights due to depart from London City had also been cancelled because of the weather.

The foggy conditions were expected to lift by about 10:00 GMT, the BBC weather centre said.

Heathrow Airport, which deals with an average of 1,300 flights a day, said 132 flights, including 50 BA flights, were cancelled on Sunday due to heavy fog. A total of 58 incoming flights were cancelled.

Further Information:

BBC Travel News
BBC Weather Centre
London Heathrow
London City Airport

PORTUGAL: TAP - Portuguese pilots going on strike [November 2011]
18Nov11

The Portuguese Civil Aviation Pilots Union (SPAC) announced Tuesday eight days of strike scheduled for 9, 10, 11, and 12 of December,
2011 and 3, 4, 5 and 6 of January 2012.

In a statement, SPAC said the decision to strike is a demand to the administration of TAP Air Portugal, the government run airline, “to comply with the rules of the company labor contract and to reinstate a working environment respectful of the parity between pilots and the administration.”

UPDATE 09Dec: TAP Air Portugal pilots have called off a four-day strike just minutes before they were due to walk off the job. The Civil Aviation Pilots’ Union announced late Thursday that the strike scheduled to begin at midnight was off.

It said the government had shown willingness to address pilots’ concerns about the airline’s privatization, slated for next year, and the full implementation of a previously agreed labor deal.

The union also said in a statement it will recommend to its members the cancellation of a second planned strike Jan. 3-6.

UK & FRANCE: Sea France suspends cross-channel services [November 2011]
FCO 17Nov11

SeaFrance has suspended its Dover-to-Calais ferries for 48 hours
ahead of a decision on Wednesday on its future.

The French ferry company said it had halted its scheduled services
to "safeguard ships, passengers and crew".

It comes after the European Commission rejected a rescue plan for the firm, ruling that a €200m (£176m) bailout from the French Government was illegal.

It stated that the rescue plan by French railway operator SNCF breached state-aid rules.

UPDATE: The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

A tribunal has decided that Sea France will be put into full administration, but with the continuation of business.

Customers with bookings made though ctms wil be contacted with regards to refunds or rebooking.

ITALY: National Transport Strike Today, Thursday 17Nov [November 2011]
17Nov11

A nationwide strike of public transport is planned, organized by the Confederation for Unity Base (CUB).

The strike is to provide general discomfort with the movement of
public transport in particular with regard to trains, planes, ferries
and ships.

UPDATE. Air Traffic Control strike cancelled, but most Airports are still on strike.

As a result, many flights have been cancelled or delayed.

PORTUGAL: Air Traffic Controllers Strike 24th Nov [November 2011]
Air Portugal 10Nov11

An Air Traffic Controllers strike is due to take place in Portugal on 24th November 2011. As a result, many airline related activities including flight operations may be affected. This includes possible flight cancellations.

TAP Portugal strongly recommends that travellers rebook for alternative dates.

ctms will continue to monitor the situation and will protect passengers on suitable available alternatives should their flight be cancelled.

USA: Alaska storm brings epic wind, waves, coastal flooding and snow [November 2011]
Washington Post 09Nov11

A storm of historic intensity continues to pound the west coast of Alaska today. Twice the size of Texas, the storm is as deep as a category 3 hurricane. The National Weather Service is calling it a
“life-threatening epic storm” due to its dangerous combination of towering waves (observed at 40 feet in the Bering Sea), winds
over 100 mph, storm surge flooding, and blinding snow.

The storm’s central pressure bottomed out at 943 mb this morning, comparable to the minimum pressure (942 mb) of hurricane Irene, which caused billions in damage along the East Coast in late August. From this point forward, the storm - essentially a snow hurricane (or snowicane) - is forecast to slowly weaken, but will continue battering the region into tonight.

POLAND: Warsaw Airport closed until 04Nov [November 2011]
Bloomberg 02Nov11

The Polish capital’s main airport remained closed today after a Boeing 767 operated by national carrier LOT made a
crash-landing at the airfield.

The widebody plane, piloted by Captain Tadeusz Wrona,
skidded to a halt on Warsaw’s main runway yesterday after landing on its fuselage.

While Warsaw’s Chopin airport is due to stay closed until 4 a.m. tomorrow, it may reopen earlier if LOT succeeds in removing the plane more quickly than expected, airport spokesman Przemyslaw Przybylski said. The airport services about 400 flights and 25,000 passengers daily, Przybylski added.

“The runway wasn’t damaged at all by the crash landing,” he said by phone today. “A few of the runway lamps were broken, but some of those have already been mended and the others, that are underneath the plane, can be put right in no time at all once the aircraft has been shifted.”

UPDATE: 04Nov11
LOT Polish Airlines

We are pleased to announce that Warsaw Chopin Airport has been reopened for all air operations.

Our first flight from Warsaw LO281 landed on time at 09:35 this morning and we are expecting all other flights to be operating to schedule.

AUSTRALIA: Grounding of Qantas fleet [October 2011]
Qantas 29Oct11

Qantas will stop all domestic and international flights from
5pm (AEDT) on Saturday 29 October until further notice.

A statement said all employees involved in industrial action
would be locked out from Monday evening and flights
grounded from 0600 GMT on Saturday.

Aircraft currently in the air will complete their flights, but there will be no further departures.

Chief executive Alan Joyce called his decision "unbelievable".

The airline has been hit by a series of costly strikes. Baggage handlers, engineers and pilots have been involved in the action which the company says is costing A$15m (US$16m) a week.

The airline issued a statement on its Facebook page saying customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice. The airline said a full refund would be available to those affected.

Relations between the unions and Qantas management started deteriorating in August after the airline announced plans for restructuring and moving some operations to Asia.

Qantas has a 65% share of the domestic Australian market, but has been making heavy losses on it international flights. The restructuring is expected to mean the loss of 1,000 jobs from its 35,000-strong workforce.

Qantas said as of 0400GMT on Saturday, there were 64 aircraft in the air - 36 domestic and 28 international - carrying more than 7,000 passengers. In total 108 aircraft will be grounded in 22 airports around the world.

The airline said 13,305 passengers were booked to travel on Qantas planes from overseas airports to Australia in the next 24 hours. About 1,310 international passengers may be at international airports now waiting for their flights to depart.

QantasLink, Jetstar, Jetconnect services, and freight services (Express Freighters Australia and Atlas) will continue to operate as normal.

Qantas is providing a full refund for any flights cancelled due to the industrial action. Customers can also rebook their flights for a later date.

Customers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they are travelling on a QantasLink , Jetstar or Jet Connect flight and are urged to reconsider any non-urgent travel and defer their travel plans wherever possible.

Due to the significant nature of this disruption and the uncertainty as to how long the grounding will last, we are only able to manage customer bookings on a day-by-day basis.

ctms will continue to monitor the situation and will protect passengers on suitable alternative options available should their flight be cancelled.

UPDATE: 31Oct Qantas back in the air

Qantas has resumed flights after an independent tribunal ordered an end to the industrial action.

Fair Work Australia ordered an end to industrial action and told Qantas to abandon plans to lock-out workers ahead of fresh talks aimed at resolving their dispute.

The dispute had seen Qantas grounding all flights on Saturday leaving passengers stranded around the world.

The airline said it hoped to restore its service to normal within 24 to 48 hours.

USA: Snowstorm to Plaster Northeast US Saturday [October 2011]
AccuWeather 28Oct11

A foot of heavy wet, back-breaking snow will plaster areas
north and west of I-95 Saturday, causing massive power outages, downed trees and travel nightmares

The storm will hit hard and fast, traveling from southwest to northeast over the mid-Atlantic and New England in less than
24 hours.

The heaviest snow from the storm will stretch from along the Virginia/West Virginia border through a large swath of central and eastern Pennsylvania to southeastern New York state, northwestern New Jersey, northern Connecticut, central and western Massachusetts to southern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine.

Cities that are likely to receive the heaviest snowfall include: Hartford, Conn., Frederick, Md., Worcester, Mass., Nashua, N.H., Netcong, N.J., Newburgh, N.Y., Scranton, Pa., Winchester, Va. and Martinsburg, W.Va.

Thousands of trees could come down, and over a million people could be without power. Some rural roads could be blocked for days by fallen trees. Driving or walking through wooded areas during and immediately following the storm could be dangerous.

Thunderstorms could accompany the snow (and the rain), adding to the drama. A freeze-up will follow the storm Saturday night leading to areas of black ice.

Because of the intensity of the rain and snow, with increasing winds, expect flight delays and cancellations in the Northeast and ripple-effect delays elsewhere throughout the nation.

Snowfall during October is not uncommon in the Northeast in general, but when it does occur it typically only falls on a very narrow swath, high elevations or a relatively small patch of land.

PARAGUAY: Paraguay's Airport Workers Threaten 10-day Strike Beginning Oct 28 [October 2011]
Skynetblog 25Oct11

Paraguay's Airport Workers Union plan to go on a 10-day strike beginning Fri Oct 28 demanding a presidential veto to a draft bill that allows three airports in the country to be privatised.

The strike will coincide with the opening of the 21st Ibero-American Summit on Oct 28 in the capital Asuncion and Luque.

The leader of the National Civil Aviation Administration (NCAA) union, Gustavo Sandoval told reporters that the strike is still on. "The solution is now in the hands of the executive and we will discuss the decision they make," said Sandoval.

FRANCE: Strike Notice at Air France [October 2011]
Skynetblog 25Oct11

The threat of a strike by cabin crew of Air France for the Thanksgiving holiday is not lifted. Several unions have rejected the proposals
Monday night as "inadequate" and maintained their strike notice,
which shall commence from 29 October for three to five days
depending on the trade unions.

UPDATE 28Oct: Air France have released the following statement on their website:

Several Commercial Crew unions have called for an industrial action from Saturday October 29 to Wednesday November 02, 2011 included. We are compelled to reduce our flight schedule accordingly and we do not exclude "on the spot" cancellations as well as delays.

We apologize to customers affected by this situation and will do our utmost to reduce any inconvenience.

Before going to the airport, we invite you to check our up-to-date flight information (available 48 hours before the scheduled departure time):

- On this website, through the " Flight information & destinations" section
- On our mobile and Air France applications click "Flight updates in real time"

If you have made your Air France reservation with ctms we will monitor your reservation; should we be alerted to any cancellation or adverse delay we will contact you with suitable alternatives.

THAILAND: Flights diverted, cancelled as floods swamp Bangkok's Don Muang Airport [October 2011]
Skynetblog 25Oct11

Thailand’s two low-cost domestic airlines operating out of Don
Muang –- Bangkok’s secondary airport -- have halted operations
there due to the floods.

Nok Air announced Tuesday afternoon that all flights from
October 25-31 are cancelled. Any aircraft that were in the air at the time of the announcement were diverted to Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi International, which is still running as usual.

In a statement on its website, Nok Air said passengers affected by the cancellations will have the option to reschedule or cancel their flights free of charge. The airline’s Chiang Mai-Udon Thani and Chiang Mai-Mae HongSon routes are operating as normal.

Orient Thai, another Thai budget carrier, has moved its operations to Suvarnabuhumi International as of 3 p.m., Tuesday, until further notice. In a statement on its website, the airline said passengers can check in at counter D on departure level 4.

UPDATE: 30Oct11 FCO: Floods in Thailand - latest advice

The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok and the 26 provinces in Thailand currently affected by widespread flooding.

This reflects the large volume of flood water that needs to pass through Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand. The flooding is likely to disrupt transport, may affect some tourist areas (including the Grand Palace and Khao San Road), and may disrupt electricity and water supplies, though the authorities have said they will do all they can to maintain these.

We are advising British nationals already in Thailand to exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities if the area that they are in is flooded. The FCO will also keep its travel advice under constant review.

•See our travel advice for Thailand

Travel through Suvarnabhumi International airport and on to other destinations in Thailand including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui, is operating as normal.

The advice against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok does not include transit through Suvarnabhumi airport, although Don Muang domestic airport closed on 25 October due to flooding.

UPDATE: 04Nov11 FCO: Floods in Thailand - latest advice

•We continue to advise against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok. A large volume of flood water from the north still needs to pass through Bangkok, and to the east and west of the city, to reach the Gulf of Thailand. This flood water is being contained by a series of barriers, dykes and canals.

Some of these defences have been breached. The extent of this breaching is currently unclear. Other defences protecting the centre of the city are untested. There remains a significant risk that central Bangkok will be affected by flooding were these to fail, or were the existing breaches to grow.

High tides from 9 November, will once again increase the risk of flooding from the Chao Phraya river. We will continue to review this travel advice regularly.

•Flooding is likely to disrupt transport, may affect some tourist areas (including the Grand Palace and Khao San Road), and may disrupt electricity and water supplies, though the authorities have said they will do all they can to maintain these. You should take sensible precautions with food and water, including boiling tap water before drinking.

•Supply chain disruption and high demand is causing shortages of bottled water, dried/tinned foods and some other products in supermarkets. Cash machines may not work in flooded locations.

Hotels are likely to have contingency measures in place and visitors should seek advice from the hotel management. Hospitals also have contingency arrangements in place and are reducing services (e.g. out-patient treatment) as part of their flood preparations.

•Suvarnabhumi international airport remains open and can be reached from the city centre, and flights to destinations elsewhere in Thailand (e.g. the resorts of Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui) continue to operate normally. These tourist destinations are not currently affected by flooding and are operating normally. Our advice against all but essential travel to Bangkok does not include transit through Suvarnabhumi airport.

AUSTRALIA: Customs strike action [October 2011]
Skynetblog 25Oct11

27th October 2011 Australia's Customs and Border Protection employees will take part in industrial action at international airports on Thursday 27 October.

"This will have an impact on our operations and could mean delays at international airports for people travelling to or from Australia,"
Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy CEO Jan Dorrington said.
Customs and Border Protection is working with airport owners and airlines to minimise the impact on the travelling public, however we encourage travellers to arrive at airports early and proceed straight to Customs.

The stoppages will occur on Thursday 27 October at:

- Sydney International Airport for up to 24 hours from midnight
- Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay, for up to 24 hours from midnight
- Melbourne International Airport for up to 24 hours from midnight
- Perth International Airport for up to 24 hours from midnight
- Brisbane International Airport for up to four hours prior to the end of employees' shifts
- Adelaide International Airport for up to four hours prior to the end of employees' shifts
- Darwin International Airport for up to four hours prior to the end of employees' shifts
- Gold Coast International Airport for up to four hours prior to the end of employees' shifts
- Cairns International Airport for up to four hours prior to the end of employees' shifts
- Hobart International Airport for up to four hours prior to the end of employees' shifts.

RUSSIA: Eruption reported at Mount Shiveluch [October 2011]
The Anvil 18Oct11

An eruption has been reported at Mount Shiveluch. Smoke and ash
from the volcano have climbed to 10 kilometres, sparking no-fly warnings for the surrounding area. Snow around the crater is rapidly melting, creating mudslides.

Mount Shiveluch is on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the Russian Far
East. Kamchatka contains around 160 vlocanoes, 29 of them still active.

SPAIN: Volcano continues erupting [October 2011]
The Anvil Group 18Oct11

Spanish authorities say activity by an underwater volcano has caused them to close access to a port on El Hierro island.

Ships have been ordered away from waters around La Restinga and planes have been banned from flying over the island's southern tip.

All 600 residents from the port have been evacuated.

GREECE: Air Traffic Control Strike [October 2011]
FCO 18Oct11

We have been informed that Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in Greece will be taking part in a 48hr industrial action from 0001hrs local time, Wednesday 19th October to 2359hrs local time, Thursday 20th October.

AUSTRALIA: Qantas is the subject of industrial action [October 2011]
Qantas 12Oct11

Qantas is the subject of industrial action by a few unions intent on causing as much disruption as possible to the airline and to our customers.

Planned industrial action by the Australian Association of Licenced Engineers and the Transport Workers Union this week is likely to cause significant disruption to our schedule with a number of flights cancelled or rescheduled. We are currently working through the impact of the action on our schedule. Once we have identified any changes required, we will do all we can to advise you of disruptions to your booking. Refer to the information below for specific domestic and international flights which will be affected.

Unfortunately, as we have now finalised these changes, should the union cancel their planned action at the last minute, we will be unable to return to our original schedule.

UPDATE: 12Oct11

Australia - Airline passengers face more delays

Flight cancellations and big delays are expected across Australia when disgruntled Qantas employees and customs officials walk off the job over protracted pay disputes.

Tomorrow, baggage handlers and ground crew will stop work in the morning and again in the afternoon at all major airports.

Thousands of customs officers at locations across the country, including international airports, will also take rolling industrial action from early tomorrow morning.

The pain will continue for Qantas on Friday when its aircraft engineers strike for four hours. Rugby World Cup fans travelling to New Zealand before Sunday’s semi-final match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks face major delays.

Qantas group executive Olivia Wirth said the strikes against the airline were attempts to cause maximum damage.

FRANCE: French rail services face industrial action [October 2011]

French rail services will be disrupted by industrial action 11 October. Passengers should check the status of their train
at www.infolignes.combefore travelling.

Eurostar services from Paris and Lille are not affected.

CANADA: Air Canada receives another strike notice from CUPE [October 2011]
Air Canada 10Oct11

Air Canada has been advised by CUPE, the union representing the airline's 6,800 flight attendants, that the new tentative agreement reached by the Company and the union's negotiating committee on September 20, 2011 was not ratified by the union membership.

Subsequently, Air Canada has been given a strike notice by CUPE confirming the union's intention to begin a strike at 00:01 a.m. ET Thursday, October 13, 2011. Read more....

UPDATE: 12Oct11 CUPE Ratification impasse referred to CIRB:

As reported in the news media, Canada's Minister of Labour, the Hon. Lisa Raitt, is referring the current impasse resulting from CUPE's failure to ratify a tentative agreement to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). Read more....

UK: London Heathrow T5 - launces auto-pods [September 2011]
Reuters 20Sep11

Driverless ‘pods’ have been launched at Heathrow Terminal 5 to transport business passengers.

The automatic vehicles carry up to four people and operate between the business car park and the terminal building. The system will reduce the time it takes business passengers to
move between Heathrow's Terminal 5 and car parks by 60 percent. Travelling at speeds up to 25 mph after an average
wait of 34 seconds, the pods, which run along tracks and allow passengers to select their destinations using laser sensors to ferry them and their luggage.

They have been officially launched following a year-long trial.

It will also cut number of bus journeys around the airport by 50,000 a year, and transport up to 500,000 passengers, according to airport operator BAA.

The pods use laser sensors to get around and have batteries that automatically recharge when the pods are stationary.

They were devised in 1995 during a research project at the University of Bristol, and have been developed in conjunction with the airport.

The BBC quotes Fraser Brown, managing director of ULTra, which developed the system, as saying: ‘There's an enormous sense of pride for all the staff who were involved in turning this science-fiction dream into a reality at Heathrow and demonstrating the best of British innovation.’

The Telegraph report shows the pods in action. To view the clip, click here

GREECE: Greek strike - Flight delay warnings [September 2011]
Eurocontrol 20Sep11

A warning of widespread flights delays in Greece has been
issued by Eurocontrol due to restrictions on working by air
traffic controllers .

"High delays are expected, especially in Athens west, Rodos/kavos combined and
Makedonia East sector. For flights overflying Greece re-routes
will be issued where applicable."

Further information: Eurocontrol

UPDATE 21SEP11: Greek Air Traffic Controllers Strike on September 25 and 28

The air traffic controllers will be on strike on September 25 having mostly financial requests.

Traffic controllers announced that the strike on Sunday will be from 00:01 to 24:00 and a four-hour strike will take place on Wednesday September 28 from 12:00 to 16:00 pm.

UPDATE 22SEP11: The UK Foreign Office have released the following update on the continuing strike situation in Greece.

Dates announced below: 22Sep / 25Sep / 28Sep

On 22 September transport in Greece will be disrupted as follows:

• All means of public transport in Athens will be unavailable for 24 hours due to industrial action (Metro, trams, buses, trolley buses, trains). Rail services throughout Greece are not operating for 24 hours. There is a possibility that the industrial action will continue, possibly until 24 September. Please check local media reports for further information.

• Taxi drivers in Greece are participating in a 24 hour strike from 05:00 until 05:00 on 23 September.

• Air traffic controllers in Greece plan a three hour work stoppage from 12:30-15:30. Passengers are advised to contact the airline they are travelling with for further information on potential delays and cancellations.

• Visitors should give consideration to their onward travel plans from airports whilst the usual means of transport services are unavailable.

Air traffic controllers in Greece have also announced their intention to participate in industrial action on 25 September (24 hour strike) and 28 September (four hour work stoppage from 12:00-16:00).

Industrial action does not always take place as initially announced. Passengers are advised to contact the airline they are travelling with for further information on potential delays and cancellations.

Demonstrations take place regularly around Syntagma Square in central Athens; the police have recently used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the square. British nationals are advised to avoid large crowds and demonstrations and keep an eye on local media reporting. Road closures can be expected in Athens and are often not announced in advance.

JAPAN: Typhoon Roke is forecast to reach mainland Japan on 21 September [September 2011]
FCO 20Sep11

Typhoon Roke is forecast to reach mainland Japan on 21 September. Evacuation advisories are in place for some areas
and you should follow the advice of the Japanese authorities. Information on evacuation advisories in Nagoya can be found on the Nagoya City website. Particular care should be taken when travelling in rural areas, particularly in Wakayama and Nara prefectures where damage caused by typhoon Talas means heavy rain will bring an increased risk of landslides.

Travellers to Japan (particularly southern regions) should be aware that the typhoon season runs from June to December with most activity between July and September. As typhoons vary greatly in size and intensity, and can change course rapidly, we recommend travellers pay particular attention to local travel information and consult the Japan Meteorological Agency, which has information in English. You should also check with your airline or transport operator before travelling.

Typhoons are strong tropical cyclones which have intense centres of low pressure. These storms, accompanied by heavy rainfall, can cover areas of up to 500 miles in diameter and generate winds up to 180 miles an hour.

Typhoons that hit Japan are often accompanied by damaging high tides. People living in coastal areas are particularly at risk. Landslides can occur anywhere and are a serious concern during continued periods of heavy rain. The dangers increase when an earthquake occurs shortly after a typhoon has saturated an area.

Being prepared for a typhoon means keeping informed on the progress and severity of the storm, and taking some common-sense precautions to minimise the problems a typhoon may cause for you.

For more information on preparing for a Typhoon in Japan click here.

RUSSIA: Hyatt growth in Russia [September 2011]
Travelmole 20Sep11

Hyatt International is to open two new hotels in Vladivostok, Russia – the Hyatt Regency Vladisvostok, Golden Horn and the Hyatt Vladivostok, Burny.

Prior to 1992, Vladivostok, home to the Russian Pacific Fleet,
was only accessible to Russian nationals.

The city is now a hub for national and international companies
due to Russia’s economic ties with Asia and is the start and
end point of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

"We are delighted to add to our growing portfolio in Russia by becoming the first international hotel brand in Vladivostok," said Peter Norman, senior vice president- Acquisitions and Development for Hyatt International(Europe, Africa, Middle East).

Hyatt-branded hotels in Russia include Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow and Hyatt Regency Ekaterinburg, with Hyatt Regency Sochi under development and set to open in 2013.

WORLD: Cost of Business Travel set to rise [September 2011]
Air & Business Travel News 13Sep11

The cost or business travel will rise by 4-6% across all regions,
Advito, the consultancy arm of BCD Travel, predicted.

In its Industry Forecast 2012 it said price rises could be under 4% in areas of high capacity but said that in “boom markets”, the increase, especially for hotels and meetings, could be “considerably higher.”

Advito said it expected demand for business travel to grow in 2012, by low single digits in the North American and European markets but by medium to high single figures in other parts of the world.

But the consultants warned that growth was connected to increases in country’s GDPs.

It added: “If the figures to be released by the IMF on September 20 are substantially lower than they were in June, then price predictions may well have to be revised in the next update to the 2012 Industry Forecast in late 2011.”

Advito said before the economic situation deteriorated in the summer, the price of oil, which rose to $120 a barrel in April was the “major risk threatening business travel growth.” The price of oil has since dropped slightly.

On air travel, Advito predicted growing demand would push fares up by 3-5% worldwide.

Regionally it said fares for both premium and economy could rise in North America and Europe by 5% and by 4% in other areas like the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America

SOUTH AFRICA: Prevention of yellow fever in South Africa [September 2011]
South African High Commission 12Sep11

From 1 October 2011, if you plan to travel to South Africa from Angola, São Tomé & Principe, Somalia, Tanzania or Zambia (or any of the countries listed below where this requirement is already in effect), you must supply either a yellow fever certificate issued at least ten days before your arrival in South Africa, or a valid waiver certificate. This applies to everyone over 1 year of age.

This follows on from a global risk assessment carried out by the WHO - World Health Organisation. Yellow Fever is vaccine preventable and travellers to/from countries with a low risk of transmission (such as those listed above) still risk contracting or importing Yellow Fever into South Africa.

Angola	Congo	Guyana	Senegal
Argentina	Côte d’Ivoire	Kenya	Sierra Leone
Benin	Democratic Republic	Liberia	Somalia
Bolivia	of the Congo	Mali	Sudan
Brazil	Ecuador	Mauritania	Suriname
Burkina Faso	Equatorial Guinea	Niger	Togo
Burundi	Ethiopia	Nigeria	Trinidad and Tobago
Cameroon	French Guyana	Panama	Uganda
Central African Republic	Gabon	Paraguay	United Republic of Tanzania
Chad	Gambia	Peru	Venezuela
Colombia	Ghana	Rwanda	Zambia
Guinea-Bissau	Guinea	Sao Tome and Principe

MEXICO: Tropical Storm Nate Forecast to become a hurricane [September 2011]
FCO 09Sep11

We are monitoring closely the track of Tropical Storm Nate
in the Gulf of Mexico. This is forecast to become a hurricane on the evening of Friday 9 September and to hit eastern parts of Mexico on Saturday 10, Sunday 11 and Monday
12 September. Travellers should be aware of action to
take in the event of a hurricane and follow local guidance.

The hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June
to November and can affect both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

See Natural Disasters - Hurricanes.

Travellers can monitor the progress of storms on the US National Hurricane Centre website.

EGYPT: Cairo Airport Ground staff strike [September 2011]

Cairo airport sees delays as EgyptAir ground staff go on partial strike

EgyptAir Ground Services employees at Cairo international airport started a partial strike on Wednesday following rumours that concessions they had previously won by strike actions would not be implemented.

“The workers haven't undertaken a full strike, only a slowdown of work," says Mahmoud Rehan, spokesman for the co-ordinating and solidarity committee of civil aviation personnel, a syndicate organising the action.

"The delays will depend on the density of air traffic. Passengers during the rush hours will feel more the delay, while at other times delays will be less serious."

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Extension of curfew [September 2011]
FCO 07 September 2011

On 21 August 2011, a Limited State of Emergency was called into effect by the Prime Minister. On 4 September, the Prime Minister announced an extension of the State of Emergency for up to three months. There is now a curfew in place for designated "hotspots" in Trinidad from 23:00 to 04:00 local time.

Although the State of Emergency extends to Tobago, the island has no designated "hotspots" and is not affected by the curfew. We strongly advise you to respect the curfew in the affected areas and to comply with directives issued by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, military and police units. See Safety and Security .

USA: Hurricane Irene hits the US northeast [August 2011]
Various 27August 2011

UPDATE: 29 August 2011

The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

Hurricane Irene has left damage along the coastal areas
of the east coast of the USA from North Carolina to New
England and transportation may be disrupted. Monitor local weather reports and follow the advice of local law enforcement officials.

Hurricane Irene has caused delays and cancellations throughout the major airline hubs in the USA. Flights have resumed from New York City, however, delays can be expected as airlines handle backlogs. Contact your tour operator or airline for flight information before travelling. To monitor airport conditions in the USA, visit the Federal Aviation Administration website.

The hurricane season normally runs from June to November and can affect the whole of the southern USA, You can monitor the progress of storms on the US National Hurricane Centre website and also at The Met Office StormTracker.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website has information about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions.

See also Foreign Office United States travel advice and get our updates on twitter @fcotravel and facebook

UPDATE: 27 August 2011
UPDATE: 25 August 2011

SEYCHELLES: Swimming ban in place [July 2011]
FCO 17 August 2011

The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

A temporary ban has been issued by authorities on entering the water in five areas following two fatal shark attacks.

Although shark attacks are extremely rare, two fatal incidents (one involving a British national) off Anse Lazio on the island of Praslin
have led to the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority implementing
a temporary ban on entering the water and swimming in the
following areas:

1 Anse Lazio, Praslin
2 Anse Georgette, Praslin
3 Petite Anse Kerlan Grand Anse Kerlan, Praslin
4 St Pierre island
5 Curieuse island

You are advised to avoid entering the water or swimming at these locations until further notice.

Drownings do occasionally occur; be careful when swimming/snorkelling. Seasonal changes in sea conditions mean there are strong currents on beaches at different times. Beaches that offer safe swimming during the south east monsoon (May-September) may not be safe during the north east monsoon (November-March). Seek local advice. Dangerous rip currents can occur off the popular Beau Vallon beach when the sea is rough.

See our River and Sea Safety page.

UK: London's 6th airport takes off early 2012 [July 2011]
Southend Airport 26 July 16:20

EasyJet will start operating from London Southend Airport from April 2012.

The 10-year partnership agreement between airport owners Stobart Group and the UK’s largest airline will see three A319 aircraft based at the Essex terminal in summer 2012.

There will be 70 easyJet flights per week and passengers will have a choice of around ten different European destinations including Barcelona, Faro and Ibiza. Tickets will go on sale at the end of July 2011.

London Southend Airport’s Managing Director, Alastair Welch says “This summer we open a dedicated railway station with up to eight services an hour to Stratford - site of the 2012 games, and to London Liverpool Street.

A new state-of-the-art control tower is now operational; work on our runway extension is underway, as is a new terminal building to be completed this autumn. A new hotel will open in 2012.”

He added “ Our target is to serve two million passengers a year, and with 800,000 easyJet passengers and a further 100,000 Aer Arann and Flybe passengers, we will be meeting almost half that target in year one.”

easyJet’s Customer and Revenue Director Catherine Lynn says “We are excited to be opening London Southend as easyJet’s 20th base airport. This is a unique opportunity to offer a world class customer experience, with passengers able to get from the plane to the train in 15 minutes.

Through offering easy and affordable travel, we expect the new routes to appeal to customers in Essex and London looking for a convenient new departure point for many top European destinations. We also believe that the European city links will also attract a high number of inbound business and leisure passengers next year.”

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: continues to experience an outbreak of cholera [July 2011]
Public Health Agency of Canada 16 Jul 12:00

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with the neighbouring country of Haiti (Foreign Affairs and International
Trade Canada continues to advise against non-essential travel
to Haiti) that continues to experience an outbreak of cholera. Cases of cholera continue to be reported in many of the provinces in Dominican Republic.

The government of Dominican Republic continues to investigate and their response includes epidemiologic investigation, enhancing surveillance, water and sanitation services and public education on cholera. They are also focussing on prompt and appropriate care for those who become infected.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends practising safe food and water precautions while in the Dominican Republic and advises speaking with a health care provider about cholera vaccine prior to travel.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. People usually become infected from drinking or eating contaminated water or food. It is associated with watery diarrhea and rapid dehydration, which may be life-threatening.

UK : Heathrow Express strike cancelled [June 2011]
BBC 23Jun 16:30

A planned strike by Heathrow Express workers has been called off after a new pay offer, it has been announced.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were due to stage a 24-hour walkout from 0915 BST on Sunday 26June.

The service runs between Heathrow Airport and Paddington station.

GREECE: STRIKE UPDATE [June 2011]

UPDATE: 27Jun 18:00

A 48 hour general strike on 28 and 29 June has been confirmed and will affect transport.

Transport will be affected as follows:

• all flights to and from Greek airports cancelled from 08:00-12:00 and 18:00-22:00 on both days. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for more information

• all port services suspended for 48 hours, including ferry services throughout Greece. Passengers are advised to contact the company they are travelling with for further information.

• all rail services in Greece suspended for 48 hours, including Athens urban railway (Green line on Athens Metro) and suburban railway

• no service on Athens Metro for 24 hours on 28 June and operating from 16:00 only on 29 June

• no service on Athens buses, trams and trolley buses for 48 hours.

UPDATE: 23Jun 16:20

Information and travel advice during likely disruption on 24, 28 and 29 June. Industrial action by dock workers has been announced for 24 June. All port services are likely to be affected, including ferry services throughout Greece. Passengers are advised to contact the company they are travelling with for further information.

There is a possibility of a 48 hour general strike on 28 and 29 June. Further details will be confirmed as they become available.

Power supplies may also be disrupted due to industrial action (which began 19 June). More information is available on www.dei.gr and from the telephone information line: 0030 210 9298100.

Monitor our travel advice for Greece updates.

FCO 21Jun 18:00

The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

Information and travel advice during likely disruption on 20, 21 and 24 June.

There is possible disruption to power supplies on 20 June due to industrial action (which began from midnight on 19 June). Further disruptions after 21 June are also possible. More information is available on www.dei.gr and from the telephone information line: 0030 210 9298100.

On 21 June, a trade union demonstration is expected at 19:00 in Syntagma Square. We advise British nationals to avoid the area.

Industrial action by dock workers has been announced for 24 June. All port services are likely to be affected, including ferry services throughout Greece. Passengers are advised to contact the company they are travelling with for further information.

Monitor our travel advice for Greece updates.

UK: Airport workers to join teachers on June 30 strike [June 2011]
TravelMole 16 Jun 11:50

Airport immigration officials and some air traffic controllers will join teachers and public sector workers in their mass walk-out on June 30.

Public sector union Public and Commercial Services (PCS) announced yesterday afternoon that their 250,000 members would also take action in a battle with the government over pensions, retirement age and wages.

The PCS says its represents immigration staff at the UK's airports plus "some" air traffic controllers, although a spokesperson for the union would not say how many.

Some 61.1% of the PCS' members agreed to walk out after a national ballot was held. The turn out was 32.4%.

There will also be a month-long ban on overtime after the strike.

A spokesperson at airport owner BAA seemed unsure about how the strike would affect the UK's air travel on June 30. However, a spokeswomean for NATS, which provides air traffic control services to UK airports, said none of its employees were involved in the strike.

INDIA & SRI LANKA: First India-Sri Lanka passenger ferry for 30 years [June 2011]
BBC 14 Jun 14:30

India and Sri Lanka have resumed ferry services after a gap of
almost 30 years caused by the island's civil war.

An Indian passenger vessel carrying VIPs and several hundred
others arrived in Colombo from the southern port of Tuticorin on Tuesday morning. It will leave for home later in the day.

The Scotia Prince will travel twice a week each way. A Sri Lankan vessel will soon ply the same route.

Ferries were suspended during the war with Tamil rebels, which ended in 2009.

The BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo says stringent security measures had been taken to regulate the list of passengers on the Scotia Prince.

There is still much mistrust between Sinhalese-dominated Sri Lanka and the Tamil-dominated Indian state of Tamil Nadu, our correspondent says.

The Scotia Prince is a cruise vessel registered in the Bahamas but now chartered by an Indian company, Flemingo, which also owns a chain of duty-free shops.

It can carry more than 1,000 people and offers restaurants, bars and a casino.

Another boat, to start operating soon, is run by Sri Lanka's state-owned Ceylon Shipping Corporation.

Tuticorin to Colombo is an entirely new route.

The old ferry service inked the Indian temple town of Rameshwaram to Mannar, a part of northern Sri Lanka heavily affected by the war.

Officials say the ferries will be considerably cheaper than the planes that link Colombo with southern India - meaning less affluent people from both countries can now cross.

The ferry is resuming at a time of sour relations between Sri Lanka and authorities in Tamil Nadu. Its state assembly is calling for economic sanctions against Sri Lanka over what it says is the island's mistreatment of its ethnic Tamil minority.

Newly-elected Chief Minister J Jayalalitha wants the ferry service suspended and state officials did not attend the waving off of the Scotia Prince.

In a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Ms Jayalalitha said resuming the crossings was "against the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu".

ERITREA & HORN OF AFRICA: Volcanic ash from the Nabro Volcano affecting air traffic [June 2011]
FCO 14Jun 17:20

A volcanic ash cloud originating in Eritrea has caused some disruption to air travel in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Some flights to/from Khartoum, Europe and the Middle East were cancelled on 13 June, including the scheduled BMI flight to London via Amman.

The ash cloud could continue to impact on air travel for several more days.

AUSTRALIA: Volcanic ash affecting flights in Australian airspace [June 2011]
Airservices Australia 12Jun 18:00

Volcanic ash from a Chilean volcano which has travelled around the world and has started to affect some flights in southern Australia
and New Zealand and may affect air traffic for the next few days.

It is not unprecedented for a volcanic ash cloud to circumnavigate
the globe. For example, in 1991 the volcano Cerro Hudson in Chile erupted and ash was transported twice around the world in two weeks, and was observed over south-east Australia a few days after the eruption.

SYDNEY, 12 JUNE, 4.25pm: Qantas has cancelled all flights to and from Tasmania and all flights to and from Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington, New Zealand today as a result of a volcanic ash cloud from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Volcano in Chile.

Qantas has also cancelled all flights to and from Melbourne from 1800 local this evening and flights to and from Auckland from 1800 local this evening.

The Virgin Australia Group of Airlines will halt all domestic and international services into and out of Melbourne from 7.00pm tonight as a precautionary measure due to the ash plume from the eruption of Cordon Caulle in Southern Chile.

Virgin Australia Group Executive Operations Sean Donohue said the airline would suspend 34 domestic and one international service as safety to Guests, team members and aircraft remained the Group’s number one priority.

Air New Zealand had earlier said it was flying at lower altitudes and altering flight paths to avoid the ash, and did not anticipate any disruption.

CANADA: Air Canada to maintain full schedule in event of strike [June 2011]
Air Canada 11Jun 18:15

Air Canada has been advised by the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), representing Air Canada's Call Centre, Airport Check-In and Gate agents at nine Canadian airports...

Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto,
Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John's

...that the union intends to proceed with strike action in
the event an agreement is not reached.

Strike action could start as early as 00:01 A.M. ET, June 14, 2011.

Air Canada remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement with the CAW to avert any strike action, and will continue to operate a full schedule and honour all bookings.

In the event an agreement is not reached and a strike occurs, Air Canada will operate a full schedule and implement a contingency service plan at airports and Call Centres to minimize customer impact.

Here is what you need to know:

• Air Canada's check-in and airport services provided at international and United States airports will not be impacted.

• All of Air Canada's regional airlines including Jazz® and the airport check-in services they provide are also fully operational.

• Air Canada offers you several self-service tools, including:

• the ability to check-in online or via a mobile device anytime within 24 hours of departure;

• Self service kiosks for check-in and baggage tagging at Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and
St. John's

• As a full schedule will operate, normal ticketing rules will apply.

ctms will monitor all Air Canada reservations and in the event of any disruption to your booked flight will advise you of the alternatives available.

GREECE: General Public Strike [June 2011]
Skynet. 10Jun 17:20

On June 14th - 15th, a nationwide strike organized by the public and private sector unions against the government’s austerity measures
will affect Greece.

Air traffic will be affected during the action as air controllers will join the strike, causing flight delays and cancellations.

FCO UPDATE: 14Jun 17:20

Many transport services will be affected on Wednesday 15 June due to a general strike. Air traffic controllers will not be on strike.

Some road closures are likely in central Athens due to demonstrations outside parliament.

Transport will be affected as follows:

• All ports will be closed for 24 hours
• Greek Railways will be on strike for 24 hours. International routes may be affected
• Buses will run from 09:00 until 21:00
• Trolley buses will run from 08:00 until 22:00
• The HSAP trains (Kifisia-Pireas) will run from 08:00 until 21:00
• The suburban Proastiakos line will be on strike from 00:01 until midnight on 15 June
• There will be no services to/from the airport on the metro/suburban Proastiakos line. Other Metro services are expected to run as normal.

GERMANY: Authorities have confirmed that beansprouts are the most likely source of the E.coli outbreak in Germany [June 2011]
FCO 10Jun 17:00

The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

German Authorities have confirmed that beansprouts are the most likely source of the E.coli outbreak in Germany.

The UK Health Protection Agency is working closely with the German authorities and updating their advice regularly.

Anyone residing in, or returning from Germany, who is displaying the symptoms caused by E. coli should seek urgent medical attention.

CHILE: A Chain of Volcanoes Erupted in the South [June 2011]

UPADTE: FCO 21Jun 14:20
Qantas Airways have suspended flights on 21 June. We advise all passengers to check with their airlines before going to the airport.

A volcanic ash cloud, which originated in Chile on 4 June, has caused significant disruption to air travel around Australia and New Zealand since 12 June.

Almost 100,000 passengers and 700 flights have been affected. The ash cloud is expected to continue to impact regional air travel for several more days.

We advise all passengers to check with their airlines before going to the airport.

ctms will continue to monitor the situation; should your flight be affected we will be in touch with any alternative options that may be available.

UPDATE: BBC 19Jun 08:30
CHILE: Ash from a volcanic eruption in southern Chile has disrupted domestic flights in the country for the first time, having travelled right around the world.

Chilean volcano ash smothers towns in Argentina (Video)

SOUTH AFRICA: There are reports that Volcanic ash from Chile is causing the cancellation of some flights out of Cape Town. Volcanic ash has been sighted in the Cape Town airspace and has impacted various flights in and out of Cape Town International, Port Elizabeth and East London airports.

UPDATE: FCO 10Jun 17:50
The airport in Uruguay, Carrasco International Airport, has been closed and therefore inbound and outbound flights have been cancelled or delayed. Please contact your airline/travel agent for further information.

FCO: 07Jun 16:50
A chain of volcanoes erupted in southern Chile (Puyehue and the Los Lagos region), about 500 miles south of Santiago, on 4 June. Some 3500 residents in the area were evacuated.

The Cardenal Zamore/Angostura border crossing into Argentina has been closed. The volcanoes continue to be active and the ash has caused the closure of Bariloche and several other airports in Argentina, affecting some flights from Chile.

We advise anyone in the area, or anyone planning to travel in the next few days, to follow the advice of the local authorities.

The Chilean National Emergency Office have issued two emergency information lines ( +56 2 252 4366 and +56 2 252 4370).

WORLD: Travel Risk Round-Up [June 2011]
The Anvil 01Jun 17:30

Please see attached synopsis of recent events and forthcoming dates of interest covering the following regions: EMEA, Americas and Asia Pacific.

ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn update [May 2011]
NATS 26May 09:45

There is currently no impact from volcanic ash on UK airspace.

ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn update [May 2011]
CBC News 25May 07:30

Click here for Eurocontrol's Twitter page for the latest news on airport cancellations and closures.

Click here for NATS (National Air Traffic Services) web-site for the latest news on airport closures

Germany will close airspace over its northern cities early Wednesday because of high levels of ash from an Icelandic volcano, the country's meteorological service says.

Authorities said flights and landings would be halted at Bremen
airport and Hamburg airport at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time respectively, and that airspace over Berlin and Hanover could also be affected.

BA, Easyjet and KLM would also lso cancelling some flights to Norway and Sweden.

500 flights to and from Scotland and Northern Ireland were cancelled Tuesday as a cloud of ash from the volcano Grimsvotn continued to affect air travel. A total of 25,000 did operate throughout Europe yesterday.

Icelandic officials said the amount of volcanic ash being released was decreasing

In Norway, two daily flights between the mainland and the Arctic islands of Svalbard cancelled until further notice. Occasional flights to and from Iceland and Stavanger in western Norway have also been cancelled.

Air Greenland cancelled two daily flights between Greenland and Copenhagen after Greenland airspace partly closed. Air Iceland cancelled flights to and from three destinations in Greenland.

In Denmark, authorities said airspace was closed in the northwestern part of the country, while ash caused some delays and cancellations in Copenhagen.

ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn update [May 2011]
Met Office 24th May 2011 13:40

Anticipated ash plume for 0600hrs 25th May is
availableby clicking on its image to the right here:

Ryanair publishes statement regarding the earlier closure of
Scottish airspace




ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn update [May 2011]
easyjet.com 24th May 2011 12:40

Scotland has been identified as potentially having a high density of ash concentration from 07:00 to 19:00 and the North East of
England between 13:00 and 19:00 on 24th May 2011. As a result of this the Civil Aviation Authority has declared a temporary danger
area over parts of Scotland and the North East of England during these times and we (easyjet) have made the decision to cancel flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness until
1830 today.


Click here for Eurocontrol's Twitter page for the latest news on airport cancellations and closures.

Click here for NATS (National Air Traffic Services) web-site for the latest news on airport closures

ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn update [May 2011]
FT.com 24th May 2011 10:40

Hundreds of passengers faced travel delays on Tuesday as Iceland's volcanic ash cloud took its toll on airports in Norway, Denmark and Scotland.

Flights to and from Glasgow were among the first to be cancelled as the ash cloud drifted towards the UK.

Loganair, a small regional carrier that operates flights in and out of Scotland, decided on Monday to ground almost all its aircraft on Tuesday. Irish carrier Aer Lingus said it had cancelled 12 flights to and from Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

British Airways announced that it would not operate any flights between London and Scotland before 2pm. EasyJet also cancelled its flights from Glasgow until lunchtime.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, said on Tuesday that it “strongly objected” to advice from Irish authorities not to operate flights to Scotland, which the carrier described as “unnecessary”.

Norwegian airport operator Avinor said the ash from the Grímsvötn volcano had disrupted traffic to and from Stavanger and Karmoey airports and was expected to spread to southern Norway later on Tuesday.

Danish authorities said they had closed the airspace below 4 miles (6km) in north-western Denmark. There is no airport in that area, but the ash is causing delays and some cancellations at Copenhagen airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority, the UK air safety regulator, said it hoped fresh Europe-wide measures – introduced after last year’s eruption of another Icelandic volcano led to widespread airspace closures – would minimise disruption.

The CAA warned, however, that more widespread disruption was possible later in the week. It said airlines tended to plan using weather forecasts no more than six hours in advance.

President Barack Obama, on a visit to Ireland, brought forward his onward flight to the UK to Monday evening to beat any effects from the ash.

Modelling by the UK’s Meteorological Office, responsible for Europe-wide tracking of volcanic eruptions in Iceland, showed the ash cloud would cover most of Scotland at sufficiently high densities to stop aircraft flying at altitudes up to 20,000ft by this morning. A lower-density plume could reach the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland, and northern England at about the same time, it said.

Most modern aircraft cruise above 20,000ft but pass through the lower levels at takeoff and landing.

Eurocontrol set up a crisis team after poor co-ordination was said to have exacerbated last year’s crisis. It said that, “due to unstable meteorological conditions”, it was impossible to identify for certain movements of the ash cloud more than 24 hours in advance.

European transport ministers played down fears of widespread disruption, after last year’s eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano stranded about 10m passengers and cost airlines an estimated $1.7bn in compensation. Airspace was closed over concerns that particles could damage jet engines, perhaps leading them to seize up. Some airlines, including Ryanair, complained that authorities were excessively cautious.

In Brussels, European Commission officials were co-ordinating with flight controllers, airlines and airports across the continent to review the situation.

Scientists said the eruption of the Grímsvötn volcano at the weekend might have been larger than last year’s eruption but conditions differed. “It is not likely to be anything on the scale that was produced last year,” said Pall Einarsson, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland.

ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn update [May 2011]
BBC 23rd May 2011

Flights in and out of Scotland have been cancelled as a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland heads towards the UK.

BA, KLM, Easyjet, Flybe, Loganair and Eastern Airways have cancelled services on Tuesday, as ministers said some flights over the Atlantic were delayed.

The threat of further disruption led US President Barack Obama to fly out of the Republic of Ireland a day early to get to London for a state visit.

Ash from another Icelandic volcano led to huge disruption in Europe last year.

The Met Office forecasts the ash cloud will reach northern and western Scotland overnight, and will clip northern parts of Northern Ireland early on Tuesday. None of England is likely to be affected.

A Met Office spokesman said it was difficult to forecast the cloud's direction beyond that because weather systems were changing so rapidly.

A number of airlines are choosing not to fly through Scottish airspace on Tuesday:

British Airways is not operating any flights between London and Scotland until 1400 BST

KLM cancelled flights to and from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as some to Newcastle

EasyJet cancelled flights to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen scheduled for between 0500 and 0900 BST

Flybe cancelled flights to and from Aberdeen and Inverness

Glasgow-based Loganair has cancelled 36 flights. Only inter-island routes in Orkney are unaffected.

Eastern Airways will not be operating any services in or out of Scottish airports

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said there had already been "modest delays" to flights, particularly those crossing the Atlantic, and there could be further disruption later in the week.

ICELAND: Volcano Grimsvotn eruption hits flights [May 2011]
BBC 22nd May 2011

Iceland has closed its main international airport and cancelled
domestic flights after its most active volcano, Grimsvotn, began erupting.

A plume of smoke has risen 20km (12 miles) into the sky from the volcano.

But Iceland's Meteorological Office says the eruption should not cause widespread disruption to air traffic.

Last year, ash clouds from another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokul, led to the closure of a large section of European airspace.

Governments feared that ash particles could cause aircraft engines to fail, and the closure caused chaos to air travellers.

Different ash

Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, a spokeswoman for the Isavia civil aviation authority said: "We have closed the area until we know better what effect the ash will have."

The authority said Keflavik airport, the country's main hub, would remain shut for the rest of Sunday.

But officials say the eruption is unlikely to have the same impact as Eyjafjallajokul in 2010.

University of Iceland geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson said this was Grimsvotn's largest eruption for 100 years, "much bigger and more intensive than Eyjafjallajokull".

He added: "There is a very large area in south-east Iceland where there is almost total darkness and heavy fall of ash. But it is not spreading nearly as much. The winds are not as strong as they were in Eyjafjallajokull."

He said this ash was coarser than last year's eruption, falling to the ground more quickly instead of floating long distances.

Europe's air traffic control organisation said on Sunday: "There is currently no impact on European or trans-Atlantic flights and the situation is expected to remain so for the next 24 hours.

"Aircraft operators are constantly being kept informed of the evolving situation."

However, weather officials warned that ash could reach northern Scotland by Tuesday and parts of Britain, France and Spain by Thursday or Friday if the eruption continues at the same rate, according to Reuters.

In Scotland, a meeting of the government's resilience committee chaired by Transport Secretary Keith Brown is currently being held to discuss the possible impact.

Threat to engines

Grimsvotn lies under thelargest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull in south-east Iceland.

When it last erupted in 2004, transatlantic flights had to be re-routed south of Iceland, but no airports were closed.

Last year's outpouring of ash from Eyjafjallajokull led to the largest closure of European airspace since World War II.

About 10 million travellers were affected and some questioned whether the shutdown was an over-reaction.

However, a scientific study published last month said the safety concerns had been well founded.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland said ash particles from the early part of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption were especially abrasive, posing a possible threat to aircraft engines.

CANADA: Air Canada’s agents give strike mandate [May 2011]
The Star.com 20th May 2011

Just a day after Air Canada’s pilots rejected a tentative contract, the airline’s customer service agents have given their union an overwhelming strike mandate.

With a 98 per cent strike vote, the Canadian Auto Workers union said Air Canada has underestimated employee frustration. About 80 per cent of 3,800 members voted.

The union has set a strike deadline of June 13 at 11:59 p.m. The CAW resumes negotiations with Air Canada on Tuesday with a federally appointed mediator.

In a statement, Air Canada said it is business as usual for the airline and that customers can continue to book Air Canada flights with confidence.

“In the event of a strike, Air Canada will maintain a full operation and implement a contingency service plan at airports and call centres to minimize impact on customers,” said the airline, adding it is confident there is sufficient time to reach a deal.

The airline’s 3,000 pilots voted down its contract, upset over a proposed discount airline and significant pension changes. The union’s handling of negotiations has angered rank-and-file pilots so much that they booted out four union officials in recent weeks.

The Air Canada Pilots Association, which has not taken a strike vote, plans to regroup, fill those positions and consult with members before heading back to the bargaining table, likely not until next month.

The industry’s recovery remains fragile as fuel prices rise, creating an estimated $800 million more on operating costs this year for Air Canada.

The carrier reported an operating loss of $66 million in the first quarter that ended March 31, compared with $136 million operating loss in the first quarter of 2010.

Jamie Ross, president of CAW Local 2002, said talks have been slow-going.

“When Air Canada was in trouble and asked for help, we gave. It’s our time to make progress,” Ross said. “The CEOs shouldn’t be the only ones compensated,” a reference to Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu, who earned $4.5 million in total compensation last year.

Air Canada is also negotiating with CUPE, which represents flight attendants and the IAMAW, which represents ground crews and mechanics.

UK: Heathrow Express facing strike [May 2011]
Heathrowexpress.com 20th May 2011

Heathrow Express will be operating an amended timetable on Friday 27 May and Saturday 28 May due to industrial action.

On Friday 27 May and Saturday 28 May between 08:00 and 20:00 Heathrow Express will be operating a half-hourly train service between Paddington Station and Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 via Heathrow Central Terminals 1 and 3.

Journey times will be as normal - 15 minutes from Paddington Station to Heathrow Central with a further 6 minutes to Terminal 5.

A free bus replacement service will operate between Terminal 4 and Heathrow Central Terminals 1 & 3, which will depart every 15 minutes and take 20 minutes. All service timetable details are available below

Before 08:00 and after 20:00 Heathrow Express services will not operate. Customers may travel to the airport using London Underground or licensed taxi.

Please note Heathrow Connect services will not operate on Friday 27 May and Saturday 28 May. Customers may use First Great Western services to travel to Heathrow Connect route stops.

On Sunday 29 May Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services will return to normal.

Normal fares apply to the journey between London Paddington and Heathrow Central Terminals 1 & 3. As normal Heathrow Express services between Heathrow Central and Terminal 5 are free of charge. All Heathrow Express bus replacement services between Heathrow Terminals are free of charge.

UK: Unite and British Airways reach agreement on cabin crew [May 2011]
12th May 2011

Unite the union and British Airways have reached an agreement to resolve the long-running cabin crew dispute at the airline, the union announced today (Thursday).

The agreement is to be put to a ballot of Unite cabin crew members over the next month, with a union recommendation for acceptance. In the meantime, the union has decided not to call any industrial action at the airline based on its present ballot mandate.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, who led negotiations for the union, said today: "We always said that this dispute could only be settled by negotiation, not by confrontation or litigation. And so it has proved."

SPAIN: Earthquake 10 dead and injury toll rising [May 2011]
Travelmole 12 May 2011

At least ten people including a child have died after a 5.2 earthquake hit the southern Spanish city of Lorca yesterday.

In the worst quake to affect the country for 50 years, dozens of buildings crumbled and residents fled from their homes as debris crushed people, cars and possessions on Wednesday evening.  
The earthquake followed an earlier one two hours previously which registered 4.4.  

Some 167 people are thought to be injured but emergency services expect to find more casualties as they search the wreckage.   About 10,000 people were evacuated as officials cordoned off the city centre. One TV reporter cheated death after a clock tower came tumbling to the ground just metres from where he was delivering his report to camera.  

Lorca sits 120km southwest of British holiday mecca Alicante and aftershocks could be felt across the Murcia region.   In a strange twist, yesterday a large chunk of the residents of Rome opted to take the day off sick after heeding warnings from a seismologist, now dead, who claimed decades ago that there would be a big earthquake on May 11, 2011.

GLOBAL TRAVEL ADVICE UPDATE: Following the death of Osama Bin Laden [May 2011]
Travelmole 03May

In its most recent worldwide alert, the US State Department says:

“The US Department of State alerts US citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.”

The travel alert is slated to expire on Aug. 1.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not issued any new warnings specific to airport security following news of Osama bin Laden's death.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano says in a statement:

“We remain at a heightened state of vigilance, but the Department of Homeland Security does not intend to issue an NTAS (National Terrorism Advisory System) alert at this time. I have been clear since announcing NTAS in January that we will only issue alerts when we have specific or credible information to convey to the American public."

In the meantime, Napolitano says "our security posture, which always includes a number of measures both seen and unseen, will continue to respond appropriately to protect the American people from an evolving threat picture both in the coming days and beyond."

Airport officials said police presence and surveillance would be stepped up -- even without any new information regarding a credible threat.

The Associated Press writes "the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it will add more police at the facilities it runs, which include the airports."

In Boston, "security at Logan Airport has been beefed up in response to the death of Osama bin Laden even though there is no known threat to the airport," says the AP.

Spokesman Phil Orlandella says airport staff have been advised to be "extra vigilant" about anything that might appear unusual. Additionally, Orlandella says Homeland Security and state police are adding extra staffing both curbside and inside the airport's terminals.

Washington, D.C., has already stepped up its police presence at hotels, federal buildings and on the Metro, the city's subway system, ABC News reports.

“For starters, don't be surprised if the Transportation Security Administration tightens security procedures at US airports in the coming days. The reason is obvious: Bin Laden's supporters may try to retaliate and airports or aircraft would be tempting targets,” writes Joe Joe Brancatelli in Portfolio.com’s business travel column, Seat 2B

He says to expect fast changes in security procedures. Does that mean better? Maybe not but more burdensome certainly.

He urges airline passengers to be especially alert in the landside (pre-security) areas of airports such as ticket counters, baggage-claim areas and retail spaces.

But some observers wonder whether any revenge scheme of Al Queda would be limited to airports and airlines. Terrorism experts say possible future targets are more likely the public and less protected places such as hotels, restaurants and other congregating places.

The most likely targets could very well be hotels, which are almost impossible to secure and police with all their public areas such as lobbies and back-office operations.

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA: Protest Dates [March 2011]
The Anivil 18 March 2011
JAPAN: Situation Update - Radiation Information [March 2011]
The Anvil Group 16 March 2011

JAPAN: Expect Upcoming Flight Cancellations - Volcano Erupts in SW Japan [March 2011]
Reuters 14 March

A volcano in south-western Japan has erupted after nearly two weeks of relative silence, sending ash and rocks up to four kilometres into the air, a local official said.

It was not immediately clear if the eruption was a direct result of the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked northern areas on Friday.

The 1,421-metre Shinmoedake volcano in the Kirishima range saw its first major eruption for 52 years in January.

JAPAN: FCO advise against all travel to Tokyo & Northeast [March 2011]
FCO 14 March 2011

The FCO advise against all non essential travel to Tokyo and north eastern Japan given the damage caused by the 11 March earthquakes and resulting aftershocks and tsunamis.

The Japanese Meteorological Association announced on 13 March that there is a 70% chance of a magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquake in the same region as the 9.0 quake within the next 3 days. This may trigger another tsunami and aftershocks of more than magnitude 6.0. The Japanese authorities have issued a warning to stay away from low-lying coastal areas.

We are actively monitoring the situation at nuclear facilities and urge British nationals to observe the advice being given by Japanese authorities, including the 20km exclusion zone around the Fukushima facility. This is consistent with the severity of the reported incident, with the independent information that we have, and with international practice. We are keeping our advice under constant review, taking into account statements from the Japanese authorities and informed by independent UK scientific and health experts.

British nationals in Japan should contact the Foreign Office helpline in London both if they require assistance and to report that they are safe: +44 20 7008 0000 (from Japan) or 020 7008 0000 (in the UK). You can also e-mail the Foreign Office on japan.earthquake@fco.gov.uk or skype (text not call) on "fcojapan". British nationals currently in Japan should also contact family and friends in the UK to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity. Where telephone services are not available, it may be possible to contact people using email or social media such as Twitter or Facebook.

Please also monitor local TV and radio for evacuation information. Radio stations in the Tokyo area that have emergency information in English include the US Armed Forces station at 810Am and InterFM (76.1FM).

Travellers should be aware that Japan's transport systems are experiencing severe disruption. We understand that:

- Japan Rail trains from Tokyo station are not operating or are subject to severe delays.
- Narita Express services are not running. The Tokyo metro is operating a reduced service.
- The Bullet trains and the Tokyo monorail remain in full service.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) plan to rotate power cuts in five groups which could affect roughly three million people in Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. Tokyo is also affected, except for the twenty three wards that make up the central part of Tokyo. There will be no power cut until 15 March at the earliest.

We understand that mobile and landline telephone reception in the affected areas is intermittent.

Further information on the earthquake and subsequent tsunami can be obtained from the US Geological Survey : http://www.usgs.gov/ and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre: http://ptwc.weather.gov/. The nature of the disaster means that the threat of a tsunami is regularly changing across the region. The FCO are endeavouring to provide information which is as up to date as possible but people in the region are urged to check the regular threat update on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Website www.NOAA.gov and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre http://ptwc.weather.gov/.

BAHRAIN: Travel advice change for Bahrain [March 2011]
FCO 14 March

In light of recent developments, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has changed its travel advice to advise against all travel to the Kingdom of Bahrain and ask that British nationals in Bahrain remain at home until further notice. 

We have done this in response to an intensification of protests and continuing unrest. We call on the authorities to avoid the use of excessive force and on all parties to exercise restraint".

US, AUSTRALIA & PACIFIC REGION ON TSUNAMI ALERT [March 2011]
TravelMole 11March

A tsunami warning has been issued right across the Pacific region including Hawaii, the west coast of the United States, South America and Australia after Japan was struck by a devastating earthquake in the early hours of this morning.

Tokyo's Narita airport is closed and a number of airlines have
suspended flights to Japan following the mega-quake, which struck at 1446 local time. British Airways has cancelled two flights to Japan that were due to leave for Narita and Haneda airports later today.

Experts said that it was "certain" the earthquake would trigger a tsunami that will sweep across the Pacific, reaching Hawaii by 12.45 GMT today, the west coast of America by 3.45pm and and Chile later today.

A tsunami reached Hawaii following a much smaller earthquake in Japan last year. This latest earthquake has been described as 100 times more powerful than the quake that struke Christchurch, New Zealand, two weeks ago.

Parts of northeast Japan, including the city of Sendai, are suffering catastrophic flooding after the quake, which occurred offshore, about 400kms northeast of Tokyo. Powerful waves have washed away buildings, cars and even ships. Huge areas of farmland have been flooded. Several people are reported trapped in buildings.

Reporters said a steel plant and an oil refinery are ablaze and a nuclear power plant has been shut down, cutting power to millions of people. Scientists are describing the earthquake of 8.9 magnitude as a super-quake.

The entire Pacific region, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwain, Russia, Australia and the west coast of America, have been put on tsunami alert.

After-shocks from this morning's earthquake have already been felt in Tokyo, more than 200 miles from the quake's epicentre, and up to 20 people are reported injured after a roof collapsed following one of several tremors. After-shocks are also being felt in Beijing, according to reports on the BBC.

The bullet train service from Tokyo to northern Japan has been halted and train services across Japan are believed to be disrupted.

JAPAN: Earthquake and tsunami. Airlines cancel flights to Tokyo [March 2011]
BBCWorld 11March

A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage.

Japanese television showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake.

The quake has sparked fires in several areas including Tokyo, with at least 15 people reported dead.

It struck about 250 miles (400km) from the capital at a depth of 20 miles. There have been powerful aftershocks.

Tokyo Narita airport closed
Please be advised that Narita Airport (NRT) is currently closed and Haneda Airport is accepting arrivals only. The situation is fluid and can change any time.

ANA flight NH202 LHR - NRT which took off last night 10Mar have been diverted to Komatsu.

ANA's European flights that left for Japan yesterday have been diverted to:

NH202 London Heathrow diverted to Konnatsu 16:18
NH206 Paris diverted to Nagoya 16:35
NH210 Frankfurt diverted to Sapporo 16:28
NH208 Munich diverted to Nagoya 16:10

A British Airways plane heading for Tokyo's Haneda airport had pushed back off the stand at Heathrow today when the airline decided it would not be leaving.

BA also cancelled its daily Heathrow service to Tokyo's Narita airport.

But London-bound BA flights from Haneda and Narita were due to land safely back in the UK later today having left before the earthquake struck off the coast of Japan.

Virgin Atlantic, which operates daily services to Narita from Heathrow, also cancelled its Tokyo flight today.

A Virgin spokeswoman said: "Narita is about one hour from central Tokyo and we've cancelled our flight VS900 and the return flight VS901 today.

Narita airport's current status can be found here

YEMEN: FCO Update Yemen Travel Advice [March 2011]
FCO 08 March 2011

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have raised the level of their travel advice to Yemen to 'advise against all travel'.

The FCO recommend that all British citizens in country without a pressing need to remain in Yemen should leave by the commercial
flights currently available.

The level of consular assistance the FCO can provide in Yemen is currently extremely limited. British Nationals in need of urgent consular assistance in Yemen should contact +967 736800219, or 0207 008 8765.

Read the full travel advice for Yemen

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA: Protest Dates [March 2011]
The Anivil 04 March 2011

LIBYA: Update - Departure routes for Canadian nationals [February 2011]
Foreign Affairs & Internationa Trade Canada 28 February

Advice for Canadians in Libya

Canadians in Libya should:
1.Call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 00-1-613-996-8885 or send an e-mail to sos@international.gc.ca if they require emergency assistance.
2.Register with our Registration of Canadians Abroad service.
3.Contact their loved ones in Canada and let them know they are all right.
4.Limit their movements to daylight hours.

Evacuation
Given the unpredictable security situation and deteriorating conditions, the Government of Canada advises that NO further chartered evacuation flights are being planned at this time.

The Government of Canada continues to investigate departure options for Canadians in Libya, in close cooperation with other countries, and will provide information as soon as it becomes available.

Canadian citizens in Libya registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service (ROCA) will be contacted by the Emergency Operations Centre to determine their travel intentions.

Tripoli
Two Turkish vessels are expected to arrive in Tripoli at 9 a.m. local time on February 28. Canadians who wish to embark should contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 00-1-613-996-8885.

Eastern Libya
A Turkish ferry is expected to depart from Sirte on Sunday, February 27. A second Turkish ferry is expected to leave Ra’s Lanuf that same day. A third ferry is expected to leave from Misurata.

On February 28, a Turkish vessel is expected to arrive in Ra’s Lanuf and one in Misurata.

A German ferry is expected to depart Ra's Lanuf at 11 a.m. local time on February 28.

Canadians who wish to embark should contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 00-1-613-996-8885.

Advice for friends and family of Canadians in Libya

Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in Libya should contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-387-3124, or send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.

LIBYA: Update - Departure routes for British nationals [February 2011]
FCO 28 February

Latest advice from the Foreign Office on sea and air departures from Libya.

Call FCO helpline in the UK on 020 7008 0000 or 021 340 3644/45 from within Libya.Skype - "libyacharterflight"

Flights from Tripoli
A further military aircraft will arrive in Tripoli today to take British nationals to Malta.

Those who wish to register their interest in this flight should call the Foreign Office's 24 hour hotline on +44 (0)20 7008 0000 or Skype 'Libyacharterflight'

We advise those wishing to depart on this flight to travel to the airport at first light and make their way to the Air Malta desk at the main terminal. There will be at least one flight, organised by the Romanian Government, leaving Tripoli on 28 February at 19:00 local time. They have said they will allow UK nationals to use it, space permitting.

Sea transport
Turkish boats will be arriving in Libya on 28 February. Two are due to arrive in Tripoli at 0900 local (0700 GMT), one at Ras Lanuf at 0400 local (0200 GMT) and one at Misratah at 0200 local (0000 GMT).

British nationals wishing to leave Libya on these boats should make themselves known to the Turkish officials at the relevant ports on arrival.

A Russian ship is due to leave Ras Lanuf for Malta in the early hours of 28 February and may be able to take a limited number of British Nationals who wish to leave Libya. British nationals wishing to leave Libya on this boat should make themselves known to Samonin Ilya at Ras Lanouf port.

A German ferry which will accept British Citizens is due to leave Ras Lanouf at 1100 local (0900 GMT) on 28 February.

By land
Those having difficulty leaving Libya by air or sea may consider leaving by road to the Tunisian border if it is safe to do so.

We understand that the Libya/Egypt and Libya/Algeria land borders are also open
We have had reports of violent incidents along these routes so pursue this option with extreme caution. These routes should only be considered during daylight hours

Travel advice
Please keep checking our travel advice for Libya for the latest updates.

Information for relatives in the UK
If you are concerned about a friend, relative or colleague in Libya, please call the hotline number 020 7008 0000.

Please also tell us if you know of British nationals who have recently departed Libya by other means and who you know now to be safe

NEW ZEALAND: National state of emergency declared [February 2011]
Travelmole 22 February

New Zealand has declared a national state of emergency as the death toll from Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch rose to 75.

Police have said there is "incredible carnage right throughout the city", with "bodies littering the streets".

More than 300 people are still missing. Forty-eight were pulled out from collapsed buildings alive overnight.

The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 5km on Tuesday lunchtime, when the South Island city was at its busiest.

It was Christchurch's second major tremor in five months.
More than 500 search and rescue personnel, police, fire service staff, soldiers and volunteers worked throughout the night to find survivors trapped under the rubble.

Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton. The Christchurch central city has been cordoned off and is not accessible.

Christchurch International Airport opened for domestic flights at 8am (NZT) this morning. Travellers are advised to go to www.christchurchairport.co.nz for the latest information on international and domestic departures or to call their airline for flight details.

Departing passengers should not go to the airport unless they have confirmation their flight is scheduled.

All other South Island and New Zealand airports are open and operating.

International travellers planning to visit New Zealand are advised that all regions outside of the Canterbury area remain operational.

People who have tickets for flights booked for today:
Travellers holding airline tickets are advised to check with their airline or travel agent before commencing travel to the airport.

Travelers not holding tickets for flights today but wishing to leave Christchurch:
Opportunities are being provided for visitors to leave Christchurch by Civil Defence. This will help to free up accommodation in Christchurch and also reunite people with friends and family.

People in this situation should make their way to collection points at the Burnside High School welfare centre, corner of Memorial Avenue and Greers Road or the welfare centre at North Hagley Park.

Please note, do not go to the airport directly if you wish to be on these flights. Please go only to the collection points.

Road status:
All highways are open apart from Lyttelton Tunnel, State Highway 74 and Anzac Avenue Bridge for which a detour is available.

There are reports of major damage to local roads in the city and liquefaction and surface flooding. There are also some road closures in the Selwyn District.

Coach Services:
Intercity Coach Services are operational and will depart from the corner of Colombo St and Bealey Avenue in Christchurch.

Lyttleton Port status:
The harbour is closed for at least 24 hours.

Useful contacts:

• A New Zealand Red Cross Person Enquiry Line should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276)

• For people enquiring about family from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199

• International Visitors in Christchurch who need assistance should call 0800 779 997

• New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management website, www.mcdem.govt.nz or http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/

• Environment Canterbury's earthquake site at http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/.

• Christchurch Airport: http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/

LIBYA: UK issues Libya travel warning after violent clashes [February 2011]
BBC News 20 February

The FCO recommends against all but essential travel to Libya. Those without a pressing need to remain in the country, should leave by commercial means if it is safe to do so.

Since 15 February, demonstrations against the Libyan Government have taken place in many Libyan towns and cities. These demonstrations have led to violent clashes, particularly in the East of the country, where large numbers of casualties have been reported. Reports indicate that these demonstrations have spread to other areas of the country, including the towns of Misurata and Zawiya.

FCO Travel Advice

BAHRAIN: UK issues Bahrain travel warning after violent protests [February 2011]
BBC News 19 February

Britons have been advised against all but essential travel to Bahrain where violent protests have taken place.

The Foreign Office urged UK nationals already in Bahrain to maintain high security awareness and to avoid large gatherings, crowds and demonstrations.

Non-essential travel to certain areas of Libya has also been advised against after political protests there.

The UK has revoked several arms export licences to Bahrain following concern over the suppression of demonstrations.

FCO Travel Advice

WORLD: World Airport Performance Comparison for January [February 2011]
Flightstats 08 February

FlightStats has released its January Performance Report on timely departures from the top 50 world airports. The average on-time departure performance was 69.34%,slightly higher than December's 61.53%.

The top 10 airports for the most puntual departures are:

1. HND Tokyo, JP - 94.38%
   

2. STN London, GB - 89.64%
   

3. KUL Kuala Lumpur, MY - 87.49%
   

4. CGK Jakarta, ID - 87.23%
   

5. IST Istanbul, TR - 86.02%
   

6. NRT Tokyo, JP - 85.56%
   

7. AMS Amsterdam, NL - 84.36%
   

8. BCN Barcelona, SP - 83.09%
   

9. ORY Paris, FR - 83.04%
   

10. IAH Houston, TX - 82.11%
    

View the top 50 here.

CANADA & USA: Announce new security measures [February 2011]
TravelMole 08 February

Small scissors and tools as well as other items have been approved on Canadian flights to improve security and speed up passengers screening time, according to the Minister of State for Transport in Canada.

Meanwhile, in the US, the often-criticized TSA says it is abandoning its useless and long-stuck “orange” threat level in favor of a new system in the next few weeks that will be “built on a clear and simple premise” of providing information to “keep yourselves, your families and your communities safe.”

The new threat system will be more detailed and include statements of “imminent threats” or “elevated threats.”

The alerts also will provide a concise summary of the potential threat, information about actions being taken to ensure public safety, and recommended steps that individuals and communities, businesses and governments can take, according to TSA officials.

In Canada, small tools such as eyeglass screwdrivers that are less than 6 2.4 inches in length will now be among allowed items, according to Transport’s Rob Merrifield.

Merrifield said the revised list would allow security to focus on more serious threats, such as explosives, and bring Canada's banned item list in line with those of other countries.

Canadian airports will also expand use of lines designated for families. The family lines will have equipment designed for bigger items, such as strollers.

"Some of the specific changes may go unnoticed by passengers, but something they will notice is lines will be moving much faster," Merrifield said.

He estimated the measures could improve passenger-screening times by 30 percent.

Passenger screenings at airports have become increasingly controversial, particularly in the United States, where some passengers have objected to the use of revealing full-body scanners and extra-thorough pat downs.

RUSSIA: ID, Purpose Needed to Enter Airport Premises [February 2011]
Moscow Times 08 February

Airports nationwide will be fitted with entry checkpoints with metal detectors and luggage screening systems, and a passport or driver's license will be required to enter the premises, news reports said Monday, citing a governmental decree.

No identification was previously required to enter an airport, and visitors only checked randomly at the doors — a policy that allowed a suicide bomber to make it to the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo Airport and blow himself up last month, killing 36.

The attack prompted the government to introduce a single set of rules on airport safety — as the previous instructions were conflicting or unclear and defined by lower-level bureaucratic directives, Kommersant said.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed the decree last Tuesday, but the move was not made public before, the report said, adding that no deadline for implementing the new rules was introduced.

Visitors will have to explain the purpose of their presence at the airport at checkpoints, and motorists will also have to present documentation for their vehicles, Komsomolskaya Pravda said.

The premises will be fenced and fitted with surveillance cameras transmitting live feeds to several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Security Service.

The new rules also define areas of responsibility for various bodies overseeing airport safety.

The Interior Ministry will guard outside perimeters of international airports, and security troops of the Transportation Ministry are made responsible for outer defenses of domestic airports. Internal security will be provided by airport security guards, though the management is allowed to use the Interior Ministry's non-departmental guards.

TUNISIA: Travel Advice lifts travel ban [February 2011]
FCO 06 February

Log in and visit the Travel Advice pages for more on this headline.

AUSTRALIA: Queensland braces for cyclone [February 2011]
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology 02 February 2011

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi is expected to make landfall between Innisfail and Cardwell at 10pm (Queensland time) on Wednesday 2 February.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that Cyclone Yasi is "a large and very powerful cyclone and poses an extremely serious threat to life and property within the warning area, especially between Cairns and Townsville".

Premier Anna Bligh has described the Cyclone as the "most catastrophic storm ever" seen in Queensland.

Cyclone Yasi will affect much of North Queensland with destructive winds, heavy rain, and in some areas storm surges that are expected to cause serious and sudden flooding in oceanfront and low-lying areas along much of the Queensland coastline.

The BOM has forecast the Cyclone's impact is "likely to be more life-threatening than any experienced during recent generations". Its ferocity and scale is expected to be much greater than that of Cyclone Larry, which hit North Queensland in 2006, damaging about 10,000 homes and causing AUD1.5 billion worth of damage to Innisfail and surrounding areas.

The Queensland Government has advised people who have not yet evacuated the area to remain indoors, stay calm, and follow the Queensland Government's cyclone advice.

The authorities expect the eye of the cyclone to take an hour to cross, during which conditions will be calm before the full force of the cyclone restarts. People are urged not to go outdoors during this period.

We advise anyone who has relocated or been evacuated from the path of Cyclone Yasi – or who is travelling in North Queensland - to register their details on the Red Cross’ National Registration & Inquiry System (NRIS). This will help family and friends reassure themselves that you are safe, and also help emergency services to concentrate on looking for people who may be missing as opposed to simply out of contact.

For registrations and enquiries, the phone numbers are:

- 1300 993 191 (for callers in Australia)
- +61 7 3055 6220 (for callers outside Australia).

CANADA: Toronto Area: Snow Storm Coming In Two Waves [February 2011]
CityNews.ca
January31, 2011

UPDATE 01 February 16:39 GMT

Canada, Ontario: Winter storm to hit Ottawa
A heavy winter storm is to hit Ottawa today. "Yesterday we had about 10 cm forecast for Ottawa, but today the trajectory of the low pressure system is going a little bit northern," said an Environment Canada meteorologist. "So Ottawa is expected to get 15 to 20 cm of snow. It's going to be a real winter snowstorm." The storm could disrupt Wednesday morning's commute and the public should avoid unnecessary travel during the storm as travelling conditions will be dangerous at times.

UPDATE 31 January

When it starts lightly snowing on Tuesday afternoon, don't be deceived. Mother Nature is just warming up.

It's the second wave of a major system from the U.S., according to CityNews meteorologist, Adam Stiles, that will bring with it major accumulations late Tuesday and into Wednesday.

"It's going to come in two waves," Stiles said Monday. "We are going to get a light (dusting) that comes through during the day, it's going to put down a little accumulation. Don't be fooled, because it's the second wave that comes through that is going to be packing all of the moisture and the most amount of snow. And that sets up Tuesday night after midnight, through Wednesday morning and Wednesday midday, and starts to taper off Wednesday afternoon."

Environment Canada warns the province could see about 30 centimetres of snow, and Stiles believes Toronto will be in that range, with more potentially falling in the city's west end.

"It looks like right now this will be bringing us a significant amount of snowfall," confirmed CityNews Stiles. "I'm going to give it a range of 20-30 cm of snow.

Storm Centre - Cancellations, Closures and Delays

The cities of Toronto, Hamilton and Barrie and the regions of Halton, Peel, York, and Durham will all be affected.

There is some good news: an extreme cold weather alert issued by the City of Toronto on Sunday has been cancelled.

Try telling that to anyone who walks to work: By 6am on Monday, it was -17C - but it felt more like -27C for the windchill.

And the warmest it's going to get is -9C.

USA: US prepares for fresh winter storm chaos [January 2011]
31 January 2011

UPDATE: 03 February 17:50 GMT

Major US airlines cancelled more than 5,500 flights on Wednesday for a second straight day as a monster winter storm paralysed air travel and threatened to erode revenue for carriers hit the hardest.

The storm blasted the US Northeast and the Midwest, where the blizzard was on track to dump the most snow on Chicago in more than 40 years.

A list of cancelled flights can be seen at: FlightAware

Full Story: AirWise

UPDATE: 01 February 16:39 GMT

USA: 4,536 flights cancelled across Illinois, New Jersey, New England
More than 4,500 flights have been cancelled out of Newark, New Jersey and Chicago on Tuesday with the total for the first three days of this week already close to 8,000. JetBlue has cancelled flights in and out of New York's JFK for the rest of today with some flights to resume tomorrow afternoon. JetBlue is also planning to close down Boston routes until Thursday morning.

UPDATE: 01 February 10:00 GMT

Flight cancellations from Heathrow today:

10:15 BA195 HOUSTON
10:25 BA185 NEWARK
10:30 CO29 NEWARK
11:15 CO113 NEWARK
12:00 VS045 NEW YORK
12:15 AA105 NEW YORK
12:35 CO111 NEWARK
14:15 AA047 CHICAGO
14:50 BA265 WASHINGTON
15:05 BA113 NEW YORK
15:25 UA959 CHICAGO
16:10 BA115 NEW YORK
16:15 BA297 CHICAGO
16:30 AA091 CHICAGO
17:05 DL2 NEW YORK
17:10 BA069 PHILADELPHIA
17:15 BA187 NEWARK
18:00 BA179 NEW YORK
18:00 CO19 NEWARK
18:30 AA107 NEW YORK
19:55 BA183 NEW YORK
20:00 AA141 NEW YORK

UPDATE: 31 January

The United States was gearing up Monday for more snow and ice chaos as a massive storm system stretching from the western Rocky Mountains to north-eastern New England prepared to strike.

About 100 million people could be affected, though weather forecasters predict the Mid West will bear the brunt of the storm. About half a metre of snow could fall within just a few hours Tuesday on Chicago, Illinois, bringing the metropolis to a standstill.

A mixture of snow, sleet and ice was to begin falling Monday night and is expected to last for three days, with winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and the peak only coming on Wednesday. The wintery weather could stretch as far south as Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

The onslaught comes just one week after the North East was hit by snowfall that left hundreds of thousands in Washington without power and caused major travel disruptions. But the region was likely to see less snow from this weather system than past storms this winter.

EGYPT: Travel Advice updates due to continuing unrest [January 2011]
FCO 31 January 2011

Log in and visit the Travel Advice pages for more on this headline.

USA: New York area - snowstorms disrupting travel [January 2011]
FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center 27 January 2011

Heavy snow in northeast United States is causing delays and cancellations to flights.

John F Kennedy airport in New York is closed until 1000 local time today.
Newark airport, New Jersey, is closed until 1200 local time.
La Guardia is open with minor delays averaging 15 minutes.

For information on airport closures and flight delays in the United States, please refer to the Federal Aviation Authority flight delay information website.

RUSSIA: Domodedovo blast;
Explosion rocks Moscow's main airport [January 2011]
BBC World 24 January 2011

Update - Russia, Moscow: 31 dead in suicide bomb attack at Domodedovo airport
The Anvil 24 January 2011 16:30

31 people have been confirmed dead and least 130 were injured today when a terrorist blast rocked Russia's Moscow's Domodedovo airport. A suicide bomber is believed to be behind the attack. The attack happened at the international arrivals hall at the airport. Several kilos of TNT were believed to have been used in the attack. British Airways and British Midland make regular flights there and other European airlines such as Lufthansa and Swissair also use the hub.

At least 10 people have been killed in the blast and that dozens more are reported to have been injured.
BBC World 24 January 2011 14:30

Reports suggest a suicide bomber was behind the blast.

Early local media reports suggested the blast may have hit the baggage reclaim area of the international arrivals hall.

Emergency services are on the scene and tending to the wounded.

The airport is 40km (25 miles) south-east of the city centre, and is popular with foreign workers and tourists flying into the city, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.

CHINA: 79,000 evacuated due to heavy snow, rain [January 2011]
The Anvil 22 January

At least 79,000 people have been evacuated in the southwest as heavy snow and rain disrupts power, traffic and communication routes across the region. 6,200 people were evacuated in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as icy rain caused house collapses early on Friday. In neighbouring Hunan province 73,000 people have been displaced due to blizzard condition. 360,000 people are facing water shortages in Chongqing city as miles of pipelines have been damaged by cold weather. Rain, snow and ice are likely to disrupt travel plans for millions during the Lunar New Year holiday on 3 February.

TUNISIA: Travel Advice updates due to continuing unrest [January 2011]
17 January

Log in and visit the Travel Advice pages for more on this headline.

AUSTRALIA: December and January have seen heavy rain and flooding throughout Australia [January 2011]
FCO 15 January 2011

December and January have seen heavy rain and flooding throughout Australia. Queensland has suffered the worst floods, with an area the size of France and Germany inundated, three-quarters of Queensland declared a disaster zone, 200,000 people affected, and a number of deaths in central Queensland. Severe flash floods in and near Toowoomba in southern Queensland on 10 January have also left a number of people dead and missing. Ipswich and Brisbane were affected by further large-scale flooding on 12 January; much of Brisbane is expected to remain flooded for several days.

USA: Winter storm to pound Southeast USA; Northeast up next [January 2011]
USA Today 10 January

A punishing winter storm that began to hammer the South on Sunday is set to continue its onslaught today over a 1,000-mile stretch from Texas to the Carolinas. Snow, sleet and freezing rain will make travel dangerous if not impossible across much of the region.

The same storm will then make a turn up the East Coast and threaten the Northeast with yet another potentially crippling snowstorm Tuesday and Wednesday. Read more....

USA: Flights resume at New York's three regional airports [December 2010]
The Anvil 28 December

New York's three regional airports reopened on Monday evening after a record blizzard dumped more than 50 cm of snow in the area. Departure delays were about 15 minutes at John F Kennedy, Laguardia and Newark airports. The major Boston airport was also open again. Tens of thousands of travellers were stranded from Sunday night trying to return home after the Christmas holiday.

Canada: Atlantic coast hit by winter storm [December 2010]
The Anvil 27 December

The Atlantic coast of Canada has again been hit by a winter storm today. In New Brunswick, almost the entire province is under a snowfall warning, with blizzard warnings in the northeast, including zero-visibility conditions. "The strong winds associated with this system will give rough and pounding surf to most coastlines of the Maritimes today," Environment Canada's warning said. "They will also generate storm surges, which will combine with large tides to give higher than normal water levels." Ferry service between Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S has been cancelled today. Snowfall warnings have been issued for Prince Edward Island.

USA: Snowstorms continue to cause disruption [December 2010]
The Anvil 27 December

A second day of travel disruption is expected in the east of the country today after snowstorms blanketed cities from New York to Boston. More than 4,000 flights were cancelled in the New York region since yesterday. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty were to reopen at 4 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said on its website. “It is horrendous in the New York City area,” a spokesman said. “This is about as bad as it gets. There may have been storms that equaled this, but it doesn’t get much worse than this. To get this much snow with the amount of wind that is accompanying it, that is devastating.”

Russia, Moscow: 8,000 passengers stranded at Domodedovo airport [December 2010]
The Anvil 26 December

Over 8,000 passengers have been stranded at Moscow's Domodedovo airport today due to flights been cancelled by heavy snow. Two electricity substations have been knocked out cancelling 100 flights. The airport is currently "partially operational." Also there is currently no rail service between central Moscow and the airport. Travellers are urged to contact their airline over the status of their flight.

USA: Hundreds of flights cancelled ahead of winter storm [December 2010]
The Anvil 26 December

Airlines have grounded hundreds of flights today along the Northeast corridor in anticipation of a heavy winter storm, affecting major airports including New York's JFK and Newark. Airlines said more cancellations were likely as the storm progressed. A blizzard warning has been issued for New York City today and Monday, with a forecast of 11 to 16 inches of snow and strong winds that will reduce visibility to near zero at times. A blizzard warning was also in effect for Rhode Island and most of eastern Massachusetts including Boston, with forecasters predicting 15 to 20 inches of snow from noon Sunday to 6 p.m. A blizzard warning is issued when snow is accompanied by sustained winds or gusts over 35 mph. Major airlines were canceling flights in the storm's path Sunday. Continental Airlines canceled 250 departures from Newark Liberty International Airport outside New York City. United Airlines canceled dozens of Sunday departures from Newark, Philadelphia, New York's LaGuardia and JFK, Boston and other airports. AirTran and Southwest Airlines also canceled flights, mostly in or out of Washington Dulles, Baltimore and Newark.

Canada: Storm surge forces evacuations in Newfoundland [December 2010]
The Anvil 25 December

Fifteen homes have been evacuated after a storm surge hit Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula on Friday morning, washing several fishing buildings out to sea. Treacherous waves in the St. Lunaire-Griquet area reportedly destroyed several wharfs and fishing stages used to store fishing equipment. Residents of the 15 homes were said to have left voluntarily after warnings from the council and RCMP.

UK: All UK and many European airports affected by severe weather [December 2010]

For a summary of events and latest news during the period
18-24Dec10 affecting the UK & Europe please click here.

 

 

Germany: Wintry weather causes flight cancellations [December 2010]
The Anvil 10 December 2010

Wintry weather has caused flight cancellations in Germany today. At Frankfurt Airport, 40 flights were cancelled and countless delays expected. In Berlin, all flights by EasyJet and Germanwings leaving from the Schönefeld Airport were cancelled due to a shortage of de-icing materials.


Greece: FCO warns of 24 hour strike on 15 December [December 2010]
FCO 10 December 2010

Public and private sector trade unions have announced a 24 hour general strike on 15 December, including air travel and ports. There will be no flights to or from any Greek airport.




WORLD: New airline routes launched (30 November - 6 December) [December 2010]
anna.aero 09 December 2010

An entire 54 new routes launched in the last week! Basel, Delhi and Rome Fiumicino saw the most new routes, but we have a full report from all over the world. And most importantly, lots of great pictures to go with it! Get the full picture here


UK: Revised timetable in place due to adverse weather conditions [November 2010]
www.eastcoast.com 29 November 2010

East Coast has implemented a revised timetable. Journey times for
East Coast services through Scotland and Northern England will be extended and subject to delays.

There will be limited East Coast services running between Glasgow and Edinburgh, customers are advised to use Scotrail services.

Whilst scheduled, it is unlikely services will be able to call at Dunbar. Alternative arrangements will be made although this is subject to the weather conditions in the area.

A reduced East Coast service will run between Leeds and London King?s Cross. Customers with tickets for cancelled services are advised to travel on the next available service.

The adverse weather is expected to last into next week and services may be subject to further alteration.

Customers are advised to check the Live Train Information page on the East Coast website for further updates.

CANADA, Ontario: Ice, snow storms forecast across much of Ontario this weekend [November 2010]
The Anvil 26 November 2010

Snow and ice storms are forecast for much of Ontario through Friday and into the weekend.

A snow-squall watch has been issued for Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Muskoka and Parry Sound with an expected thirty to forty centimetres of snow to fall by this evening.

The weather is already causing difficulties on Highways 11 and 404 north of Toronto this morning and several accidents have been attributed to icy roads.

Overnight the storm is expected to head south into Simcoe county and parts of Huron-Perth.

USA: Travel Chaos Expected as US Passengers Boycott Airport Body Scans [November 2010]
Mailonline 24 November 2010

In the United States, resistance by airplane passengers to
controversial new security screening procedures is expected to cause chaos when tens of millions of Americans travel for the Thanksgiving holiday later this week.

On the so-called "National Opt-Out Day" set for November 24th, the day before Thanksgiving some passengers will refuse to submit to x-ray body scans, which reveal what's under their clothes and are seen by many as a grave invasion of privacy.

It takes about ten seconds to scan one person with the machines, but if a passenger chooses to be patted down by security personnel instead it takes about four minutes and even longer if they choose to do so in a private room.

Portugal: General Strike 24 November 2010 [November 2010]
FCO 24 November 2010

Unions representing air traffic controllers, baggage handlers and aircraft maintenance staff in Portugal have announced that their members will be participating in a 24-hour general strike scheduled to take place on 24 November. If the planned strike action goes ahead, it may affect your travel plans. Be prepared for delays.

Thailand, Bangkok: Protests in capital from 23rd November [November 2010]
The Anvil 22 November 2010

Demonstrations by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are expected to take place outside the Parliament building, near the Royal Plaza, in Bangkok from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 November. Travellers should avoid the area due to the possible risk of unrest breaking out.


Portugal, Lisbon: Air traffic to be restricted ahead of NATO summit [November 2010]
The Anvil 18 November 2010

Air traffic over Lisbon will be restricted from midday on Thursday until midday on Sunday during the NATO summit taking place on the 19th and 20th of November. Incoming flights, typically standing at a maximum of 23 per hour will be reduced to 14 per hour for the duration though departures are expected to remain unaffected. Around 100 arriving flights will be either cancelled or delayed, though some flights could be diverted north to Porto or south to Faro. Ten thousand police officers are due to be deployed in the city ahead of the start of the summit.

Hong Kong: First human bird flu case diagnosed in 7 years [November 2010]
The Anvil 18 November 2010

Health officials are urging the public to take precautions after the first case of human bird flu was diagnosed in Hong Kong in seven years, it was reported on Thursday. The 59 year old is hospitalised in serious condition following a trip to mainland China though it was unclear where she contracted the disease as she did not visit any farms or have contact with live poultry while in China. The woman's husband also developed symptoms but has since recovered.

UK: BA launches Heathrow – Paris Orly flights [November 2010]
Travel Daily 16 November 2010

British Airways is to start 12 services a week between Heathrow and Paris Orly to complement its flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The Orly flights will begin on January 10, 2011 and seats go on sale tomorrow, November 16.

Colm Lacy, British Airways' general manager network planning, said: "This is an excellent addition to our shorthaul network, allowing business travellers easy access to the Paris financial district which is close to Orly airport. Customers will also be able to make smooth connections on to BA subsidiary OpenSkies' services between Orly and the United States, and on to oneworld partner, Iberia."

The route will be served by A319s, A320s and A321s and will offer two classes to choose from, Euro Traveller and Club Europe

UK: British Airways Christmas strike threat [November 2010]
11 November 2010

Passengers planning to travel with British Airways this Christmas could face disruption as a new cabin crew deal hits a militant stumbling block. The current agreement has been thrashed out by BA boss Willie Walsh and Toney Woodley, joint leader of the Unite union. However, leaders of the British Airline Stewards and Stewardesses’ Association, the crew branch of Unite, have described the proposition as unacceptable.

Although there is no time now to organise a legal strike before Christmas, BASSA has warned of wildcat strikes and the possibility of its members pulling ‘sickies’ in protest over the latest offering from the airline. The deal will now be presented to the BA’s 14,000 cabin crew for a vote.

If rejected, the British flag-carrier could face a new raft of strikes in the New Year.

USA: Carriage of ink and toner cartridges [November 2010]
www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca

Please note that, effective immediately, ink and toner cartridges with a capacity of 16 oz. or more are not permitted in carry-on baggage for all flights to the U.S., nor are they accepted in checked baggage for all flights. i.e. domestic, U.S. and international. For more information, please visit the CATSA website

St Lucia: Travel Advice Update [November 2010]
www.fco.gov.uk 06 November 2010

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary (update on Hurricane Tomas: advice for those due to travel, statement by the St Lucia Tourism Minister and reliability of mains water supply). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in St Lucia.

October News
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