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Date Issued: Friday 24th February 2012

Airport staff strike causing major disruptions at Germany's Frankfurt International Airport. Expect significant flight cancellations through March 1.

  • Event: Airport staff strike
  • Time Frame: 2100 Feb. 26-0400 March 1
  • Location: Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
  • Impact: Significant flight delays and cancellations

Updated Summary Lufthansa AG (LH) canceled 140 domestic and regional flights for Feb. 27 as apron controllers - workers who oversee tarmac operations - resumed their strike over wage disputes at Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). The industrial action, which is slated to continue through March 1, is causing significant flight delays and cancellations at Europe's third busiest airport. Long-haul flights are likely to be given priority.

Courts may intervene to halt the strike early. Flight disruptions are still likely to continue even after the action ends as the backlog is cleared.

Background and Analysis The previous strike, which ran from Feb. 16-22, with a break over the weekend of Feb. 18-19, had been suspended for renewed negotiations. About 190 of the 200 apron controllers at FRA are members of GdF.

Advice Contact your airlines or transportation provider for updated flight information.

Resource Frankfurt Airport: www.frankfurt-airport.de

Source: ijet

Date Issued: Monday 27th February 2012

Midwest snowstorm moving east toward upstate New York, northern New England, and Canada. Expect flight, traffic disruptions.

Locations affected by this alert: Illinois - Chicago, Michigan - Detroit, New York - Albany, New York - Buffalo, Ottawa, Ont., Toronto, Ont., Vermont – Burlington

Incident: Severe winter weather

  • Time Frame: Feb. 23-24
  • Location: North-central US, northeast US, and Canada
  • Impact: Flight delays, traffic disruptions; possible power outages

Summary
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning Feb. 23 for the greater Chicago, Ill. and greater Detroit, Mich. areas for moderate to heavy snowfall. Meteorologists forecast the system will bring 7.5-30 cm (3-10 inches) of snowfall to the aforementioned areas, as well as to upstate New York, northern New England, and neighbouring Canada late Feb. 23 into Feb. 24. The expected severe weather is already causing flight delays and cancellations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), and Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW). Other airports, including Toronto Pearson International (YYZ), Ottawa International (YOW), London Metropolitan (YXU), Greater Buffalo International (BUF), Greater Rochester International (ROC), Albany International (ALB), and Burlington International (BTV), will also likely experience flights disruptions through Feb. 24.

Advice
Confirm flights and travel arrangements.

Date Issued: Tuesday 21st February 2012

Strike at Germany's Frankfurt International Airport extended to 0500 Feb. 22. Expect significant flight disruptions.

  • Event: Airport staff strikes
  • Time/Date: Through 0500 Feb. 22
  • Location: Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany
  • Impact: Significant flight delays and cancellations

Updated Information Ground crew workers at Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) have extended their ongoing strike for another 24 hours until 0500 Feb. 22. This is the second time in as many days that GdF, the trade union representing the workers, has extended the labor action.

The strike has caused significant flight cancellations at FRA -- Europe's third busiest airport. The vast majority of these have been from Germany's flag-carrier Lufthansa (LH). The strike at FRA grounded a total of 352 fights over Feb. 16-17, the first two days of the walk-out. The initial one-day extension of the strike from 0400 Feb. 19 to 0400 Feb. 20 forced Lufthansa to cancel another 200 flights.

In the past German courts helped to prevent aviation-related strikes. In the event that the strike is cancelled, flight disruptions will still be likely due to altered airline schedules.

Background and Analysis About 190 of the 200 apron controllers at FRA are members of GdF, the tradeunion that called for the industrial action. The union had earlier accepted a settlement plan from a third-party arbitrator following the Feb. 16-17 strikes; however, FRA operator Fraport rejected the deal. Consequently, GdF extended the strike. Delays are likely to continue even after the strike ends as backlogs are cleared.

Advice Contact your airlines or transportation provider for updated flight information.

Date Issued: Wednesday 15th February 2012

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off coast of Oregon, US, Feb. 14. No tsunami warning issued, no reports of damages. Aftershocks, utility disruptions possible.

Locations affected by this alert: Oregon - Medford, Oregon - Portland

Earthquake Details

  • Location: 256 km (159 miles) west of Coos Bay, 293 km (182 miles) west-southwest of Newport
  • Magnitude (Depth): 6.0 (10 km/6.2 miles)
  • Time/Date: 1931 Feb. 14

Summary
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon, 256 km (159 miles) west of Coos Bay, at 1931 on Feb. 14. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). There were no immediatereports of casualties or damage. No tsunami warning was issued. Intermittent utility and power service disruptions are possible.

Advice
Aftershocks are possible. Consider vacating multi-story buildings in areas close to the epicenter until authorities assess their structural integrity.

Date Issued: Wednesday 15th February 2012

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Giovanna hits east coast of Madagascar early Feb. 14. Expect severe flooding and damage.

Locations affected by this alert: Madagascar, Mozambique

Storm Details (0600 EAT Feb. 14)

  • Center of Circulation: Approximately 175 km (109 miles) east of Antananarivo, Madagascar
  • Maximum Sustained Winds: 95 kts (175 kph, 109 mph)
  • Landfall (Date): Near Toamasina, Madagascar (About 0100 EAT Feb. 14)
  • Affected Areas: Madagascar, Mozambique

Updated Information
As of 0600 EAT Feb. 14, Giovanna remained a very intense tropical cyclone several hours after making landfall just south of the port city of Toamasina (Tamatave) in eastern Madagascar. Powerful winds and torrential rainfall will continue to affect the country as the storm tracks west toward the capital Antananarivo. Dangerously high storm surge is possible in coastal areas near the center of circulation. Giovanna will weaken as it moves across Madagascar Feb. 14-15, but redevelopment is likely when the system reaches the Mozambique Channel. The storm is forecast to become a tropical storm again before making a second landfall in Mozambique's Inhambane Province Feb. 17.

Transport and Infrastructure
Widespread transport disruptions are a near-certainty in Madagascar. Flooding and landslides may severely damage roads - including national routes 2, 5, 11, and 22 - cause bridge collapses, and sever the rail link between Toamasina and Antananarivo. Significant damage is possible at the country'slargest port in Toamasina. The closure of Toamasina Airport (TMM) is likely. Other airports in the path of the storm will also probably temporarily suspend operations, including those at Manajary (MNJ), Mahanoro (VVB), Sainte MarieIsland (SMS), Ambatondrazaka (WAM), Antananarivo (TNR), Belo Sur Tsiribihina (BMD), Morondava (MOQ), Manja (MJA), Morombe (MXM), and Toliara (TLE). Telecommunications, power, and water outages could last for weeks in hard-hit areas. The storm will probably force Toamasina's Galana refinery to shut down, and prolonged commercial disruptions are likely in the region.

Advice
Confirm flights. Plan accordingly for protracted transport and supply chaindisruptions; commodity shortages are possible in Antananarivo if road and rail links with Toamasina are severed for an extended period. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in areas subject to heavy rains, particularly mountainous and low-lying areas where flash flooding and landslides may occur, including Antananarivo.

Resources
Joint Typhoon Warning Center Storm Track: www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC

Date Issued: Wednesday 15th February 2012

Summary
Bahrain-based Gulf Air (GF) has extended the suspension of all service to airports in Iraq and Iran until Feb. 29 and March 31, respectively. The airline cited the "ongoing security situation in the region" as the cause of the extension. Passengers with tickets to affected locations can rebook a later Gulf Air flight to the same destination at no additional charge. Gulf Air is also offering full refunds.

Advice
Confirm Gulf Air flights and use alternate carriers if travel on suspended routes is necessary.

Resource
Gulf Air: www.gulfair.com

Date Issued: Wednesday 15th February 2012

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- A German union has called on ground workers at Frankfurt Airport to walk off the job for seven hours Thursday in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

GdF union, which represents air traffic control employees, called for workers overseeing operations on the tarmac to stage a walkout from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (1400 GMT to 2100 GMT).

Frankfurt is Germany's busiest airport and continental Europe's second-busiest. GdF is engaged in a dispute with airport operator Fraport over pay and working conditions for some 200 ground workers.

Advice
Contact airlines for updated flight information.

Date Issued: Monday 6th February 2012

Greek unions to stage 24-hour general strike Feb. 7. Expect commercial, service, and transport disruptions; localized violence possible.

  • Locations affected by this alert: Greece
  • Incident: 24-hour general strike and demonstrations
  • Date: Feb. 7
  • Location: Nationwide, particularly Athens
  • Impact: Business closures, moderate to severe transport disruptions, mass demonstrations

Summary

Greek public and private sector unions will hold a nationwide general strike on Feb. 7. Union members in central Athens will rally at 1100 outside Parliament in downtown Athens; the communist union PAME will also hold a protest on Syntagma Square at 1100. Air traffic controllers (ATC) may still join the industrial action, although they have not yet done so. Expect riot police to be present and on high alert at all rallies; violence is likely if police act to disperse the rallies.

Athens metro and tram services will only operate from 1000-1700; bus lines will operate 0900-2100. Regional (OSE) and commuter (Proastiakos) rail networks will also join the industrial action for 24-hours; this includes the Athens metro link to Athens International Airport (ATH). Maritime transportation will be disrupted for 24 hours, as port and ferry workers will join the general strike.

Date Issued: Saturday 4th February 2012 – 15:05

Weather warnings have been issued across the UK, which may cause delays and cancellations to many flight schedules. Currently London Heathrow has advised there will be changes to some flights due to depart on Sunday 5th February 2012.

If you are due to travel today or over the next few days whilst adverse weather conditions are forecast, please check your flights status before your leave home, and allow extra time to complete your journey to the airport as roads and rail networks may also be affected.

Useful links:

If you require further information regarding your travel plans please contact us:

Clients yet to travel:
If you are due to travel within the next 48 hours please contact our 24 hour Emergency Assist on 0208 336 5278, otherwise if you are concerned about your travel plans, please contact your Travel Manager directly during working hours.

Clients already travelling:
If you are already travelling please call our 24 hour Emergency Assist number on +44 (0) 208 336 5276 or contact your airline directly.

Date Issued: 27th January 2012

Transport unions call for nationwide strike in Portugal Feb. 2. Expect moderate-severe metro, rail service disruptions. Ferry services affected Jan. 30, Feb. 2.

Locations affected by this alert: Portugal

  • Event: Transportation strikes
  • Dates: Jan. 30, Feb. 2
  • Location: Nationwide
  • Impact: Moderate to severe transport disruptions

Summary: The main Portuguese transport unions will hold a nationwide 24-hour strike on Feb. 2 to protest proposed austerity measures. The strike will affect public transportation, including metro and bus service in Lisbon and Porto, as well as regional and international rail operations. Demonstrations and roadblocks are possible.

The Transtejo & Soflusa ferry service will be interrupted by rolling three-hour strikes on Jan. 30 and Feb. 2.

Advice: Arrange alternate transportation Feb. 2. Confirm all taxi and rental car reservations, as such vehicles will be in high demand. Expect severe traffic congestion; allow additional time for travel. Avoid all protests.

Resources: Portuguese Rail: www.cp.pt (in Portuguese)
Transtejo & Soflusa: www.transtejo.pt (in Portuguese)

Date Issued: 27th January 2012

Major trade unions in Belgium to stage general strike during EU summit Jan. 30. Protests likely in Brussels and other cities. Expect transportation disruptions.

Locations affected by this alert: Belgium

  • Event: General strike
  • Date: Jan. 30
  • Location: Nationwide
  • Impact: Public transit and flight disruptions, possible public service disruptions, demonstrations likely

Summary Belgium's three main trade unions - the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions, the Belgian General Federation of Labour, and the Federation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium - have called for a nationwide general strike Jan. 30. The industrial action will most likely cause significant disruptions on local and regional transportation networks, including bus, metro, tram, rail, and flight services. Large demonstrations will probably occur in Brussels and other cities.

The unions are protesting further government spending cuts demanded by EU partners. The strike will coincide with the beginning of a key EU summit, which will likely increase the number of protesters. The European Council summit on Jan. 30 will draw leaders from member states to central Brussels to discuss the eurozone economic crisis.

Background and Analysis: Government-imposed austerity measures have been extremely unpopular, triggering widespread protests by labor unions and activists. During the summit, leaders of the 27 member countries will discuss a new agreement that will tighten fiscal discipline and economic policy coordination as part of the effort to put an end to the eurozone crisis. Another main topic will be increasing doubts on the feasibility of a 50 percent haircut of Greek debt.

A similar demonstration against pension reforms Dec. 22 caused severe transportation disruptions. The regional Eurostar and Thalys rail lines, which link Brussels to London, Paris, and Amsterdam, were affected. Similar disruptions cannot be ruled out in the upcoming action and delays could continue after the strike ends due to backlogs.

Advice: Arrange alternate means of transportation. Allow additional time to travel. Confirm all reservations.

Resources