Travel Advisory

Mali's ruling junta have cancelled the authorization given to French flag carrier Air France to resume operations and services to the country.


Two senior Malian officials and an air transport official gave the update on Wednesday less than 24hours after news went round that Air France will resume service to Mali from Friday.


"The decision was cancelled because the agreement was given without consulting the hierarchy," said one official. Air France had announced on Tuesday that it would resume service to Mali from Friday .. after a two-month suspension amid tensions in the Sahel and between Bamako and Paris.


 The earlier announcement indicated the resumption of flights would be carried by a third-party aircraft and crew. Air France had said in its announcement that the flights sold by Air France will no longer be operated by the company's own aircraft, but by "a Boeing 777-200 ER belonging to Portuguese carrier EuroAtlantic Airways".
It added that the crew will also be made up of employees of this company which, in addition to scheduled flights, offers charter and leasing services.


The airline had suspended its flights to Mali and Burkina Faso on August 7, following the closure of airspace in neighboring Niger, the scene of a coup d'état on July 26.


The initial suspension was just for several days, but after the airline extended the suspension, citing Niger's coup and the "geopolitical situation" in the Sahel region, Malian authorities revoked Air France's permit.


Relations between Mali and France have soured since a junta seized control in the West African country in 2020.

Conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories


There is a large-scale conflict happening in areas of southern Israel close to the border with Gaza. As a result, the crossings into Jordan from Israel might be closed at short notice. Check travel advice before trying to cross.


The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to:


Within 3km of Jordan’s border with Syria.

All flights at London Luton Airport have been suspended and people have been asked not to travel there because of a large fire in a terminal car park.


Ten fire engines attended the blaze at Terminal Car Park 2 which affected 80% of the third floor, Bedfordshire Fire Service says. 


Footage shared online shows huge flames and smoke from the top of the building.


A member of the public and six firefighters suffered smoke inhalation, East of England Ambulance Service say.


The airport said a car fire had spread.

The Puerto Vallarta International Airport reported that airlines had canceled 12 flights due to Hurricane Lidia.


Although it continues to operate normally, this facility is expected to close in the next few hours.


Municipalities along the coast of Jalisco are on high alert as they prepare for the impending arrival of Hurricane Lidia, expected to make landfall on Tuesday afternoon. The storm has intensified into a category 2 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson scale.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to parts of Egypt.


Egypt-Libya border


FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum (where we advise against all but essential travel).


North Sinai


FCDO advises against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai.


Northern part of South Sinai


FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of the Governorate of South Sinai, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of thepeninsula.


The eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate


FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.
Western Desert


FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for:


Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings
the Governorate of Faiyum
the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh
the Marsa Matruh-Siwa Road
the oasis town of Siwa
the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis
the road between Giza and Farafra (but we advise against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)
Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black Desert
Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid


FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

Finnair has today announced that it will be cancelling all services between Helsinki and Tel Aviv, Israel until the end of March 2024.


On the cancellation of services into Tel Aviv, Israel, Finnair said the following on this:


“Finnair is canceling all flights to Tel Aviv until March 30, 2024 due to the unstable situation in Israel. Flights are canceled throughout the winter season.”


“Safety is always our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and following the instructions of the authorities.”


“The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a travel bulletin in which the ministry urges you to avoid unnecessary travel to Israel.”

Guam was moved into Condition of Readiness 1 as Tropical Storm Bolaven is expected to become a typhoon sometime on Tuesday.


At 1:30 a.m. the National Weather Service said Bolaven was within radar range and has shifted slightly southward. Despite the shift, the storm’s track still placed it on a path to pass between Rota and Tinian late Tuesday evening.


Sometime overnight, Bolaven’s winds decreased to 65 miles per hour, however the NWS said, it’s “still a strong storm.”


Moving at 14 miles per hour, Bolaven has picked up some speed since Monday.


As a result the community is advised to stay indoors until COR 4 is announced.


Travelers trying to fly in or out of the Guam International Airport Authority on Tuesday may encounter flight cancellations and changes.


The JIC has confirmed with GIAA the following flight cancellations and flight changes:


The following Korean Air flights have been canceled:


Tuesday, Oct. 10


KE 421 ETA at 1515 from Incheon
KE 422 ETD at 1700 to Incheon
Wednesday, Oct. 11


KE 423 ETA at 0105 from Incheon KE 424 ETD at 0225 to Incheon
The following Korean Air flights have been added:


Thursday, Oct. 12


Korean Air KE 8425 ETA at 2307 Friday, Oct. 13
Korean Air KE 8526 ETD at 0025
The following Jin Air flights have been canceled:


Tuesday, Oct. 10


LJ 647 ETA at 1315 from Pusan
LJ 648 ETD at 1415 to Pusan
LJ 643 ETA at 1400 from Incheon LJ 644 ETD at 1500 to Incheon LJ 641 ETA at 1445 from Incheon LJ 642 ETD at 1615 to Incheon


The following JeJu Air flights have been canceled:


Tuesday, Oct. 10


7C 1182 ETA at 1530 from Narita
7C 1181 ETD at 1640 to Narita
7C 3106 ETA at 1605 from Incheon 7C 3106 ETD at 1710 to Incheon
Wednesday, Oct. 11


7C 3106 ETA at 0200 from Incheon 7C 3105 ETD at 0310 to Incheon


The following T-Way flights have been canceled:


Tuesday, Oct. 10


TW 9301 ETA at 0210 from Incheon
TW 9302 ETD at 0310 to Incheon
TW 303 ETA at 1400 from Incheon TW 304 ETD ar 1500 to Incheon


On Monday, United Airlines advised customers traveling to and from Guam and Saipan to check their flight information on the United website for the latest flight information.

JERUSALEM, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Monday announced an emergency plan, which will be activated if foreign airlines completely stop flights to the country amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).


Israel's Transport Minister Miri Regev announced the plan in a statement, noting it aims to help Israelis return to the country if their flights on foreign airlines are canceled.


According to the emergency plan, Israeli airlines will launch an increased number of flights to Israel at four airports in New York, Frankfurt, Athens, and Dubai, which were chosen to serve as departure hubs for their connectivity with global airports.

Location: Throughout Guatemala


Event: The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of ongoing peaceful demonstrations and roadblocks throughout Guatemala. The demonstrations and roadblocks may prevent your ability to travel throughout Guatemala. We (U.S. Embassy) do not know when the demonstrations or roadblocks may cease. If they continue, you may need to postpone in-country travel or reschedule your flight. We recommend that you remain in a safe place, avoid affected areas, and do not seek to travel toward or through them. For the most up-to-date information about locations of roadblocks, please consult PROVIAL's (Direccion General de Proteccion y Seguridad Vial) website.


The U.S. Embassy remains open and operational but has canceled all appointments for American Citizens Services (ACS) (e.g., passports, CRBAs, and notarials) and visas (immigrant and nonimmigrant) on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The U.S. Embassy has also requested that all non-essential official travel to Guatemala be deferred for the immediate future. We remain open for ACS emergencies. Please contact AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov if you are a U.S. citizen who needs an urgent appointment. To reschedule a passport or notarial appointment, please go here. The ACS unit will contact CRBA appointment holders to reschedule their appointments. Visa appointment holders will be notified via their profile email address of instructions for rescheduling appointments.


Many U.S. citizens have inquired as to whether they should travel to Guatemala or when or whether they should depart Guatemala. Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport remains open at this time. Deciding whether to travel to or depart Guatemala is a personal decision.


For entry and exit, safety and security, and other relevant travel information about Guatemala, please go here. The Guatemala Travel Advisory is located here.


The U.S. Embassy is not otherwise permitted to advise individuals whether to travel to Guatemala or to provide individualized risk assessments. At this time, the U.S. Embassy is not requesting or recommending that U.S. citizens self-evacuate.

Location: Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza


Event: Security Alert #5 (October 9, 2023)


U.S. citizens wishing to depart Israel can check the status of Ben Gurion International Airport and the availability and status of flights here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures.


Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, but some flights have been reduced or suspended. U.S. carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel. Please check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status. For more information, please visit the airport's website here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/.

From media reports: NDMais reported that after announcing a strike in the air traffic control sector scheduled to begin Monday (9 October), the SNTPV (National Union of Flight Protection Workers) issued a statement informing the suspension of the strike.


The measure followed a preliminary decision from Brazil's Labor Court, determining that air traffic control activities in the country should be maintained.

MEXICO CITY, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The Mexican army is carrying out a humanitarian flight aimed at bringing home nationals from Israel amid the attack on the country by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, the defense ministry said on Monday.


An unknown number of hostages were taken by Hamas after it launched a surprise attack in Israel on Saturday. Two Mexicans are believed to have been among those taken by the group, Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said on Sunday.


Mexico said on Monday some 5,000 nationals are in Israel.


Some 300 Mexicans have asked to leave, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a press conference on Monday.


The plane leaving on Monday has a capacity of about 170 passengers. A second plane was to leave later in the day.

Location: Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza


Event: Security Alert #4 (October 9, 2023)


The U.S. Embassy continues to closely monitor the dynamic security situation in the Gaza periphery (the areas of Israel near Gaza) and in Gaza. There are active military operations in the Gaza periphery and Gaza, as well as rocket and mortar fire in the Gaza periphery. The Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza is closed until further notice, and U.S. citizens in Gaza who wish to leave and can do so safely are advised to check the status of the Rafah Crossing into Egypt.


U.S. citizens in Israel who have family members missing in the Gaza periphery can go to the Israel National Police's combined assistance center at 4 HaNegev Street in Airport City. Additional information can be found here: https://www.gov.il/he/departments/news/police_08-10-23_family-center (Hebrew only at this time).


U.S. citizens in Israel who need assistance should also contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate using this crisis intake form.


Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, but some flights have been reduced or suspended. U.S. carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel. Please check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status. You can check the status of flights and the status of Ben Gurion International Airport here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/


U.S. citizens can check the status of land border crossings here:


Allenby/King Hussein Bridge between Israel and the West Bank (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/alenbi/) – 02-548-2600
Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Beit Shaan (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/jordan-river/) – 04-609-3410
Yitzhak Rabin/Arava Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Eilat (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/yitzhak-rabin/) – 08-630-0555
Menachem Begin Crossing between Israel and Egypt near Eilat (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/menachem-begin/) – 08-636-0999
U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning. U.S. citizens should monitor news outlets and follow advice from local security and emergency response officials to increase their security awareness and remain safe.


U.S. Embassy personnel must observe a curfew from 8:00 PM – 6:00 AM and are urged to stay as close to home as possible outside the curfew hours. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from personal travel to the West Bank until further notice.


U.S. citizens can find additional information regarding steps to take in case of mortar and rocket fire in the Country Information for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza:


Mortar and Rocket Fire: In the event of mortar or rocket fire, a "red alert" siren may be activated. Treat all such alerts as real. Follow the instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately. Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space. U.S. government personnel and their family members may be restricted from traveling to areas affected by rocket activity, sirens, and/or the opening of bomb shelters. For additional information on appropriate action to take upon hearing a siren or explosion, see the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command website (available on devices within Israel) or view the Preparedness Information. U.S. citizens may also wish to download the free Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command application on Android or Apple devices to receive real-time security and safety alerts. Free commercial applications, such as Red Alert: Israel, are also available.


U.S. citizens should take this into consideration when planning their own activities.

Hurricane Lidia made a landfall as an “extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm on Tuesday evening with winds of 140 mph (220 kph) near Mexico's Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta. Local tourist resorts hunkered down to shelter from lashing rains, potentially lethal winds and flooding.


The Miami-based NHC said Lidia was moving east-northeast at 16 mph (26 kph) and should weaken quickly as it barrels inland. In Puerto Vallarta, the Puerto Vallarta International Airport issued a statement and said that the airport will remain closed until 8 am on Wednesday.

LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - London Luton Airport said it was suspending all flights until 1400 GMT, three hours later than previously announced, following a fire in one of its multi-storey car parks.


"Emergency services remain on the scene following last night's fire in Terminal Car Park 2," the airport said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We have now taken the decision to suspend all flights until 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Wednesday."

ANKARA, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Turkish Airlines THYAO.IS has halted its flights to Israel until further notice due to the latest developments in the country, a company spokesperson said in a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.

Air France will resume serving Mali from Friday October 13, the airline announced on Tuesday, which had suspended this route at the beginning of August in the wake of the putsch in neighboring Niger. “In coordination with the DGAC [Direction générale de l’aviation civile] French and the Malian authorities, Air France will resume service to Bamako from Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle from October 13”a company spokesperson told AFP.


Air France suspended its flights to Mali (seven flights per week) and Burkina Faso (five flights per week) on August 7 after the closure of the airspace of neighboring Niger, the scene of a coup d’état on August 7. July 26. “Air France is working in close collaboration with the Burkinabe authorities in order to resume its service to Burkina Faso as quickly as possible. The service to Niamey remains suspended until further notice”, the company added on Tuesday. Service to Bamako from Paris will resume at the rate of “three direct flights per week”, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, according to the same source.

OSLO, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Norwegian Air NAS.OL is cancelling its flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Tel Aviv, as well as return flights, until Dec. 19, it said on Tuesday.


"We are canceling until Dec. 19 inclusive," said a company spokesperson.


On Monday, the companyhad said it was cancelling its flights to and from Israel scheduled to depart this week.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon since the outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza on 7 October and ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges in South Lebanon. You should consider whether your need to remain in Lebanon is essential.


The FCDO advises against all travel to the following locations:


Palestinian refugee camps
within 5km of the border with Syria
the Hermel Area, including the towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé
the area south of the Litani River which includes the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it
In particular, the FCDO also continues to advise against all but essential travel to the following areas for security reasons:


southern suburbs of Beirut defined as: south of the sports stadium and the Adnan Al Hakim road which heads west from the stadium to the Beirut-Saida (Sidon) road - down to the airport. This area includes the neighbourhoods of Bir Hassan, Ghobeiry, Chiyah, Haret Hraik, Burj Al Brajne, Mraije, Er Rouais and Laylake. It excludes the main airport highway, the Beirut-Saida road and west of there to the coast, and the area between the airport highway and the coast south of Abbas El Mousawi Road, including the Golf Club of Lebanon
Akkar district between 5km from the Syrian border and the Aabdeh, Halba and Qoubaiyat highway
the city of Tripoli
the Rayak-Baalbek highway (from the junction at Riyak along the highway to Baalbek), the areas around it and towns along it, including Baalbek, and also the area East of the highway up to 5km from the Syrian border and South of Nahlé town
the towns of Rachaiya, Hasbaiya, and Khiam in the Beqaa Valley, and the area between these towns up to 5 km from the Syrian border
within 2km of the Ain el Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida. This includes the Saida section of Highway 51 and the Coastal Highway north of the Gaziyeh Road intersection and the Saida section of the Jezzine-Saida road westward of the Abboud Gas Station. Those travelling south from Beirut towards Saida along Highway 51 should turn east off the main highway at the Awali River junction before the permanent LAF security checkpoint
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

Eurocontrol reported that arriving flights are delayed on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) because of weather (low visibility). 


Moderate to high delays are reported at this time. 


Because arriving flights are delayed, departing flight schedules may be affected.


Passengers planning to fly into or out of the affected airport should contact their airline well in advance of departure to confirm flight status.

From media reports: R7 reported that heavy rain caused delays and cancellations at Congonhas Airport, in the south of Brazil's capital, and at Guarulhos International Airport, in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo.


At Congonhas Airport, 16 flights that would have departed until 2:25 p.m. on Monday have been canceled. Another 10 flights that would have arrived by 1 p.m. were also canceled and one was delayed by at least an hour.


At Guarulhos International Airport, there were five canceled flights that would depart on Monday. Another eight flights that were scheduled to land today at the airport were also canceled.


Travelers are advised to monitor local radio and other media, and remain aware of weather developments.

Oct 9 (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines DAL.N said on Monday it will cancel flights to and from Tel Aviv through Oct. 31 after a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend.


The Atlanta-based airline said customers can currently get into or out of the market via partner flights. The airline added it will work with the U.S. government as needed to assist with the repatriation of U.S. citizens who want to return home.

Oct 9 (Reuters) - The Dominican Republic announced new measures to strengthen control at its border with Haiti, including an indefinite extension of the border shutdown it enacted last month plus boosting military forces, security officials said on Monday.

Eurocontrol reported on Monday that a call for industrial action in France has been issued by unions, from 1700 UTC on 12 October until 0400 UTC on 14 October.


Minimum service will be implemented at air traffic control (ATC) centers and airports.


Flight reduction programs are expected at airports on 13 October where France Aviation Civil Services (DSNA) is providing ATC services.


Passengers planning to fly into or out of airports in France during the planned strike should contact their airline well in advance of departure to confirm flight status.

OSLO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Norwegian Air NAS.OL is canceling its flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Tel Aviv this week and return flights, a spokesman for the company said on Monday.


"Due to the current situation in Israel, Norwegian has decided to cancel all its flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Sunday 15th October," a company spokesperson said.