India (Security threat level – 3): On 6 March 2019, farmers continued a sit-in protest for a second consecutive day on the train tracks outside the city of Amritsar in Punjab state. The protest action disrupted at least 38 trains, including almost all scheduled services between Amritsar and New Delhi. As of last report, the farmers have ended their protest after the High Court of Punjab and Haryana intervened. However, train disruptions are likely to persist as services return to normal.
Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): On 6 March 2019, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued an updated Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which extends the country’s general airspace closure until 1300 local time (0800 UTC) on 7 March, except for flight operations to and from certain airports. The new NOTAM also announces that Multan International Airport (OPMT/MUX), Chitral Airport (OPCH/CJL), Panjgur Airport (OPPG/PJG), Turbat International Airport (OPTU/TUK) and Gwadar International Airport (OPGD/GWD) have reopened to domestic air traffic. In recent days, several airports — including those in Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Islamabad, Lahore and Faisalabad — have resumed operations, but remained subject to routing restrictions. Authorities have given no reason for the continued closure of the country’s airspace.
United Kingdom (Security threat level – 3): On 5 March 2019, London authorities investigated reports of suspicious packages at Heathrow International Airport (EGLL/LHR), London City Airport (EGLC/LCY) and London’s Waterloo rail station. The first suspicious package was found on Heathrow Airport’s grounds at the Compass Centre office building at approximately 0955 local time/UTC. The device reportedly caught fire when an employee opened the package; there were no reports of injuries. Authorities evacuated the building and experts neutralized the package. Airport operations were not affected by the incident.
The second suspicious package was found at Waterloo station, the busiest train station in London, at approximately 1140 local time. Police officers cordoned off a small area near one of the station’s exits to allow specialists to inspect the package; train services through the station were not affected.
The third suspicious package was found at London City Airport’s Aviation House at approximately 1210 local time. Police officers evacuated the building, temporarily suspended services on Docklands Light Railway and closed all access roads to the airport for approximately one hour. Pedestrian access to the airport remained available during this time and airport authorities reported that flight operations were not disrupted.
Police sources stated that all three packages consisted of A4 postal bags that contained improvised explosive devices, and that authorities were launching a counterterrorism operation and treating the packages as linked incidents. Irish authorities are assisting British counterterrorism police, as the packages at Heathrow Airport and Waterloo station had stamps from the Republic of Ireland, as well as Dublin return addresses. As of last report, U.K. authorities have stated that it is currently unknown who sent the packages, and that the devices were small and not designed to kill. Police officers have deployed additional personnel to at all three locations, and the investigation is ongoing.
Kenya (Security threat level – 4): On 6 March 2019, military personnel took over passenger screening and security operations at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (HKJK/NBO) after approximately 2,000 members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) launched a strike over Kenya Airways’ proposed takeover of the airport. The strike began at midnight local time (2100 UTC) on 6 March and affected hundreds of passengers. During the strike, riot police officers used tear gas and batons to prevent KAWU workers from protesting at the facility. They also arrested at least 10 KAWU officials — including the secretary general of the union — for participating in the strike, which transport authorities deemed illegal. As of this writing, airport officials have stated that “all scheduled arrivals have been processed and the backlog of departures arising from this morning’s disruptions has been substantively cleared.” Travelers should check the status of their flights prior to heading to the airport.
Kenya (Security threat level – 4): On 6 March 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Kenya which reads in part as follows:
Nicaragua (Security threat level – 4): On 5 March 2019, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued updated travel advice for Nicaragua, which reads in part as follows:
Nigeria (Security threat level – 5): On 5 March 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Nigeria, which reads in part as follows:
Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.
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