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Friday, September 14, 2012
Events We're Watching

Guatemala - Fuego Volcano Erupts in Chimaltenango Department
Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) erupted in Chimaltenango Department, roughly 40 km (25 miles) southwest of Guatemala City, Sept. 13. There were no initial reports of injury or significant damage. Authorities have ordered evacuations for the following nearby towns: Sangre de Cristo; El Porvenir; Santa Sofia; Yucales; Morelia; and Panimache. Flight delays are possible at Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport (GUA) due to smoke plumes. Ash clouds are causing hazardous driving conditions on nearby highways, especially to the southwest. Confirm flights to and from Guatemala City and Antigua.

Russian Federation - Authorities Approve Opposition Marches in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Municipal authorities have approved opposition marches slated for Sept. 15 in central Moscow and St. Petersburg. Opposition groups plan to hold "March of Millions" protests in both cities starting at 1400 to demand political reforms, the release of political prisoners, opposition access to federal television channels, and snap presidential and parliamentary elections. The groups have approval to stage marches along the following routes: In Moscow, from Pushkinskaya Metro station, the march will travel north on outer loop of the Boulevard Ring, cross the Garden Ring, and culminate in a rally at Academician Sakharov Avenue at 1600. In St. Petersburg, from Oktyabrskiy Big Concert Hall on Ligovsky Prospekt, the march will go west along Nevsky Prospekt and culminate in a rally at Konyushennaya Square at 1600. Thousands of people will probably participate. In addition, pro-Kremlin Eurasian Youth Union (EYU) activists plan to hold their own rally in Moscow, a "March of Billions" as an alternative to the opposition march. The activists plan to come out with "crosses, daggers and silver bullets to stop the hell," as they believe that the opposition events are organized by "western agents and devil's servants." Moscow authorities have stated that they have not received an event application from the EYU, and that any unsanctioned rally will be suppressed in accordance with the law.

Japan and South Korea - Typhoon Sanba Strengthens on Approach to Ryukyu Islands
Sanba has strengthened into a super-typhoon and is forecast to grow even stronger as it continues moving northwestward through the Philippine Sea toward Japan's Ryukyu Islands. The typhoon is currently projected to pass less than 65 km (40 miles) west of Okinawa early Sept. 16, though the storm path may shift as Sanba continues moving northward. As of Sept. 14, TCCOR 3 is in effect at all foreign military installations on Okinawa.* Sanba is forecast to continue moving northward toward South Korea after passing Okinawa. Though the storm remains too far away for accurate predictions, current projections indicate that Sanba may hit eastern Jeju Island Sept. 17 before making landfall late Sept. 17-early Sept. 18 in South Jeolla Province. Meteorologists warn that rainfall totals of up to 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) are possible in much of South Korea.

U.S. State Dept. alerts travelers in wake of embassy protests
U.S. embassies in at least seven countries in the Middle East, Africa and the Caucuses are warning of possible anti-American protests following an attack on the consulate in Benghazi, Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans, the Associated Press reports.

The killings in Libya followed demonstrations in front of Cairo's U.S. Embassy Tuesday, where protesters tore down the U.S. flag and scaled the embassy's wall. That protest was planned by conservative Salafists well before news circulated of an objectionable video ridiculing Islam's prophet, Mohammed, Eric Trager, an expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told USA TODAY.

Embassies in Armenia, Burundi, Egypt, Kuwait, Sudan, Tunisia and Zambia all issued warnings on Wednesday that don't report any specific threat but note that demonstrations can become violent and advise Americans in those countries to be particularly vigilant.

Spain - Rail and Public Transit Unions Call for Strikes
Transportation unions will stage various strikes on Sept. 17 to protest government austerity measures, with a 24-hour rail strike causing significant disruptions across the country on the state-owned Renfe, FEVE, and ADIF rail networks. Another industrial action will cause public transit disruptions on the Madrid and Barcelona metro networks, as well as impair bus service in Barcelona. The Barcelona metro strike is slated to go for 24 hours, while the Madrid metro stoppage will take place from 0600-1000 and 1700-2100. Striking workers will also stage demonstrations in cities countrywide.

Rail company officials have announced that only minimal train service will be provided, with more available during peak travel hours. During previous strikes, approximately 40-60 percent of local rail and commuter services, and 75 percent of long distance and high-speed rail services, were available. Localized traffic delays are possible.
Q and A

There are no free seats available for assignment on my flight. Does this mean I have to pay to get a seat assignment?

For many years the airlines have limited the number of seats available for pre-assignment and held the rest to give out at the airport on the day of departure, or more recently, if checking in online 24 hours in advance. We were all accustomed to seeing "seating under airport control" on our itineraries. What's different today is that the airlines are now charging for many seat assignments, whether they are roomier, at the front of the plane, or even just for the comfort of having any seat number. This leaves fewer free seats available for pre-assignment. The good news is that there will always be a free seat assignment for you on the day of departure. Because seats are juggled until the very last minute as other passengers cancel or upgrade, it might even be the seat of your dreams!

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Next time you have some time in your travel schedule consider these unusual places:
  • Cockroach Hall of Fame in Plano, Texas
  • Barbed Wire Museum in LaCrosse, Wisconsin
  • Insectarium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Devil Museum in Kaunas, Lithuania
  • British Lawnmower Museum in Southport, England
  • Museum of Ironing Implements in Groningen, Netherlands
  • Gas Station Museum in Milan, Italy
  • Hokonui Moonshine Museum in Gore, New Zealand

Inaugural Travel

The Presidential Inaugural will be held on Monday, January 21st. Hotels in D.C., suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia are expecting higher than normal occupancy rates during the period of January 18-23. If you anticipate needing hotel rooms for business travel within the region between these dates, it is recommended that you block space now. Talk to your Travel-On account manager now to discuss your needs.

Fast Park

The Fast Park family of off-site airport parking companies, with 16 facilities in 12 markets, launches its 4th annual Canned Food Drive from September 5th through the 29th in support of National Hunger Action Month. Market specific collections will benefit local food bank members of Feeding America, the largest food bank network in the country. In addition to collecting food, Fast Park will donate one dollar for every pound of non-perishable food donated by customers. See Fast Park participating locations