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USA: Weather causing flight delays in northeast [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 30 September 2010

The remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole are causing flight delays of between half an hour and around two hours at airports in Washington and New York and at other northeastern airports on Thursday. Delays appear to be worst at Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport according to the FAA but there are also delays reported in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and at Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.

Belgium: The air traffic control strike has ended earlier than expected. [September 2010]
www.brusselsairport.be 29 September 2010

The industrial action at Belgocontroll ended at 10 pm last night. Traffic at Brussels Airport will gradually return to normal but some flights may be cancelled or delayed especially on Wednesday morning.

Canada: CN Rail workers warn of possible strike [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 29 September 2010

The CN Rail workers union is warning of possible strike action after management refused to negotiate a new contract. Meetings are being held this week in an effort to avoid the strike which would include conductors, yard men and traffic co-ordinators and could be put into effect within 72 hours.

Belgium: Air traffic controllers strike 28/29 September [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 28 September 2010

Air traffic controllers have gone on a 24 hour strike today from 14.00hrs local time and will do the same tomorrow. Both domestic and international flights will be affected and passengers should check with their airline before travelling.

Mexico, Baja California: Tropical Storm Georgette hits land [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 23 September 2010

Tropical Storm Georgette has hit land causing flooding and affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Heavy rain and winds badly hit Cabo San Lucas. The storm is located about 155 miles south of Guaymas and is moving in a north-westerly direction at a speed of about 14mph. Georgette has now been downgraded to a tropical Depression. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the coast of mainland Mexico from Huatabampito northward to Bahia Kino.

China, Sichuan: Thousands stranded at Shuangliu Airport by storms [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 21 September 2010

Flight Cancellations,  Weather Affecting Transport

Airport authorities say that over 10,000 passengers remain stranded at the Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu after thunderstorms started around 8.00pm yesterday and were still ongoing at 3.00pm today. The thunderstorms caused 28 incoming flights to be diverted while 10 flights were cancelled and over 100 flights have been delayed.

Greece: Train services to be hit by strikes [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 21 September 2010

Due to an ongoing protest over privatisation plans, the union of railway employees (OSE) has said that railway services will be suspended on 22 September from noon to 5.00pm, on 23 September from 11.00am until 4.00pm, on 27 September from 6.00am to 9.00am and from 9.00pm until midnight and on 29 September from noon to 5.00pm.

OSE advise that workers on the suburban railway that serves Athens International Airport will also take part in Thursdays strike.

Greece: Lorry strike continues for seventh day [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 21 September 2010

A lorry strike in Greece is continuing for a seventh day today. Striking lorry drivers are threatening to block more roads and have also attacked non-striking lorry drivers. The strike was launched after reforms were considered by the government that could potentially cause hundreds of job losses and forced retirements. On Monday hundreds of trucks remained parked in long lines along key sections of the Greek main thoroughfares on the outskirts of Athens. The longest blockades were at the junctions of Haidari and Elefsina, along with the Corinth toll gates.

Spain: General Strike on 29th will disrupt travel [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 21 September 2010

Unions have called for a general strike on 29th September over labour reforms. It is thought that international flights leaving Spain will be affected and only local trains will be running. Long distance services have been cancelled. Metro services and buses are also likely to be running a reduced service.

Should your flight be affected ctms will contact you with alternative travel options as soon as we are notified, although there are reports that the strike may not be as widely supported as the unions hope.

France: Rail and air services to be hit by strike on Thursday [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 21 September 2010

Travellers are being warned that industrial action is expected to cause delays and cancellations to rail transport in France on Thursday 23rd September.

Eurostar services are expected to run normally but air travel maybe disrupted.

Air traffic controllers, bus and tram drivers, hospital workers, electricity and gas workers are also to take part in the strike. It is not known how many workers will strike but earlier this month 2 million took part. The strike is over the raising of the pension age to 62.

If you have booked any transportationvia ctms and it is affected by the strike we will contact youwithalterntaive options that may be available on the day as soon as it is brought to our attention.

India, New Delhi: Heavy rain causes travel chaos [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 12 September 2010

Transportation in New Delhi was hit hard today by heavy rain in New Delhi. Heavy rain was reported across the capital cancelling trains and causing traffic jams. The Yamuna river breached its banks flooding several areas. Flooding hit Model Town, Mori Gate, Lodhi Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Inter-State Bus Terminus at Kashmere Gate, Azadpur, Najafgarh, Bhajanpura and parts of Ring Road today. Also today, the Northern Railway cancelled up to 30 train services due to flooding. 'Most of the trains coming to New Delhi or leaving might get cancelled or diverted until the Yamuna water level recedes completely, we can't take chances,' a Northern Railway spokesperson said.

China, Shanghai: Over 300 Flights Delayed Due to Tropical Storm [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 12 September 2010

Over 300 flights at Shanghai Airport were delayed yesterday by tropical storm Meranti. Both domestic and international flights were delayed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Flights at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport were not affected. On Sunday, operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport were back to normal.

France: Flights and rail services to be affected by strike [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 06 September 2010

Flights and rail services are to be affected in France starting this evening by a nationwide strike. The strike is expected to last until Wednesday morning. Air France services from Charles de Gaulle airport will be running at 90% and half of short-haul flights from Orly airport will run during the strike. SNCF trains will only be running at 50% during the strike. Also the Paris metro will only be half operational. The strike is over the raising of the pension age to 62.

Eurostar services will however operate as normal.

Travellers connecting within France who have difficulty getting to or from a Eurostar station can refund or exchange tickets via their original point of sale. Eurostar tickets can be exchanged up to 60 days after their initial date of travel for a journey within the next 90 days.

UK, London: Underground strikes to begin tonight until Tuesday [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 05 September 2010

Around 200 Jubilee and Northern Line maintenance staff will walk out for 24 hours today over a pay dispute. A separate 24-hour strike will then begin tomorrow by work colleagues and then drivers, signallers and station staff will strike from 9pm over the scrapping of several Underground ticket offices. Buses and riverboats will provide service during the strikes.

Guatemala: President declares national emergency [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 05 September 2010

A national emergency has been declared Sunday in Guatemala by President Alvaro Colom due to heavy rains. "Top priority at present is dealing with this emergency. There are no funds left to deal with earlier disasters like the one caused by tropical storm Agatha," in late May, Colom told reporters. 21 people have recently died due to landslides with more rain forecast.

New Zealand, Christchurch: Curfew imposed as clean up begins [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 04 September 2010

A state of emergency has been declared and a curfew has been imposed in Christchurch with residents ordered to stay indoors between 7pm today and 7am tomorrow morning, following the massive earthquake which hit yesterday. Extra police have been drafted in due to reports of fighting as residents try to get petrol and severe traffic jams have been caused by the number of people trying to leave Christchurch and by damage to some of the roads. State Highway 77 between Methven and Windwhistle is currently closed. The central business district was cordoned off after reports of looting and because of serious damage to some buildings. Power is slowly being restored with nearly 80 percent of Christchurch being reconnected but where power is returning there have been some fires reported. Residents have been asked to restrict water usage where possible due to damaged pipes. Christchurch airport reopened this afternoon but due to the backlog of passengers delays are inevitable. Most of the rail network is closed. There is the added concern that heavy rain and strong winds are forecast in the area over the next 24 hours which could further damage buildings that have already been weakened. Travellers should monitor local news for updated information.

USA, Hurricane Earl weakens to Category 1, moving towards Massachusetts [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 04 September 2010

Hurricane Earl has weakened further to a Category 1 hurricane as it heads northeast towards Massachusetts. Some parts of barrier islands experienced flooded and power cuts but there have been no injuries reported so far. At 5pm winds had reduced to 80mph and the storm was located around 230 miles off Nantucket Island where the port and airport were closed as a precaution.

USA, Virginia: Hurricane watch issued for coastal areas [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 01 September 2010

A hurricane watch has been issued for several coastal areas of Virginia including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and North Hampton as Hurricane Earl continues to head along the East Coast of the US. The watch follows an evacuation order on Ocracoke island, North Carolina. Significant disruptions could be caused in the areas under the watch into the holiday weekend. An emergency is expected to be declared by state governor Robert F Mcdonnell on Wednesday.

USA, North Carolina: Hurricane Earl forces Barrier Island evacuation [September 2010]
The Anvil Group 01 September 2010

North Carolina officials are ordering tourists and residents to leave a barrier island accessible only by ferries as powerful Hurricane Earl heads toward the U.S. coast. Hyde County emergency management officials are planning an evacuation of Ocracoke Island on Wednesday morning. The decision came late on Tuesday, as the hurricane whipped across the Caribbean with winds of up to 135 mph.

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