The Week Ahead: January 5, 2025

Date

Europe
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands: Travel Advisory | Winter weather will continue to cause major cancellations at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands through January 5 and 6. Prolonged winter weather has overwhelmed the airport’s ability to service flights since January 2, with thousands of flights canceled or delayed. Around 450 flights have been canceled for January 5, with the airport expecting similar disruptions the next day. Travelers are advised to reconfirm flights, and to seek alternative transportation where available.
  • Europe: Protest Advisory | Expect further farmer protests over the coming weeks across several European nations. Farmer protests have led to demonstrations, roadblocks along highways, delays at ports of entry, and other disruptions over the last few weeks in France, Greece, Belgium, and Poland. Farmers are protesting simultaneously against a proposed EU trade agreement as well as local grievances with their own government’s agricultural policies. Groups organizing the protests have signaled that they intend to restart the demonstrations after a short holiday break. Travelers are advised to reconfirm routes ahead of departure. They should also avoid all protests where possible.
  • London, United Kingdom: Travel Advisory | A bus driver strike will limit transportation in the north and northeast of London from January 8-9. Over 300 drivers are expected to walk off the job in protest of alleged anti-union activities by their employers. The following 12 routes are expected to be out of service: 58, 97, 135, 276, 236, 308, 339, 488, D8, W13, W14, and 678. Other routes are likely to be impacted by delays as well. Travelers are advised to seek alternate forms of transportation. They should also leave earlier in anticipation of heightened demand for the limited routes and delays.
Americas
  • Latin America: Protest Advisory | Expect further anti-U.S. protests outside of American embassies across Latin America over the coming weeks. Following the U.S. operation that captured Venezuela’s President Maduro, anti-U.S. protests attracted hundreds to thousands of protesters across Latin American nations to protest outside of U.S. diplomatic buildings on January 3. Notable protests included those in Argentina and Mexico. Travelers are advised to avoid all protests. They should also avoid interacting with the protesters.
  • Caribbean: Travel Advisory | Expect residual flight delays as airlines resume operations throughout the Caribbean after the closure of airspace through January 6. Recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela led to the closure of airspace in the Caribbean, in turn forcing airlines to cancel around 1,000 flights. These restrictions ended early Sunday morning which prompted airlines to increase the number of flights to the region to pick up stranded travelers. Travelers are advised to reconfirm their bookings and to monitor local media for updates.
  • Brazil: Weather Advisory | Heavy rain is expected to create dangerous conditions in both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil from January 5-7. Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) forecasts the region to receive between 1.2 and 2 inches of rain per hour during this period. This creates a risk of flooding and landslides in low-lying areas and those around bodies of water. Travelers are advised to avoid flood-prone areas and to monitor local media for updates.
Asia & Pacific
  • Manila, Philippines: Security Advisory | Millions are expected to participate in festivities during the Feast of the Black Nazerene celebrations in Manila on January 9. The Feast of the Black Nazarene is a religious holiday that draws millions of attendees to the streets of Manila every year, with an estimated eight million participating in 2025’s celebrations. The event centers around Manila’s Qiapo neighborhood where a procession of religious iconography will take place. Travelers are advised to secure their valuables and maintain awareness when in large crowds. They should also build extra time into travel plans to account for delays around Manila.
  • Maharashtra, India: Security Advisory | Expect heightened security throughout Maharashtra state in India until the elections on January 15. The state will be holding local elections on January 15 which has brought out a large police force to enforce security. Authorities have already conducted over 2,500 minor operations throughout the state seizing illegal weapons, cash, and drugs in an effort to prevent any potential unrest. Travelers are advised to follow official directives. They also are advised to carry a form of identification on them at all times.
  • Australia: Weather Advisory | A major heatwave will affect Australia’s southern states this week through January 9. The states of Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales will see temperatures that climb up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Affected cities include Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Canberra. Travelers are advised to limit time outside during the hottest times of the day. They are also advised to make a conscious effort to remain hydrated during this period.
Africa & Middle East
  • Gabon: Travel Advisory | A strike by rail workers will limit train services throughout Gabon starting January 5. The strike will last for an indefinite amount of time to protest the governing authority for the country’s railroads’ refusal to negotiate with the main rail union. This strike has an outsized impact on travel throughout Gabon as there is only one major rail system in the nation, the Trans-Gabon Railway, that connects Libreville with Franceville. Travelers are advised to seek alternate forms of travel if available. They should also monitor local media for updates.
  • Nigeria: Health Advisory | Nigerian doctors will strike nationwide disrupting healthcare services starting on January 12. The Nigerian Association of Residential Doctors (NARD) announced that they will strike indefinitely to protest the non-payment of salaries owed to doctors. In addition to the strike, NARD announced that protests were likely at some point after January 16. Emergency services will still be available. Travelers are advised to see if their healthcare provider is affected by the strike. They are also advised to monitor local media for updates.
  • Benin: Security Advisory | Expect heightened security ahead of Benin’s parliamentary elections on January 11. A failed coup on December 7 is likely to prompt the heightened security for the elections. The National Electoral Commission (CENA) has called on various actors to ensure that the elections pass peacefully. Campaigning so far has not sparked any signs of violence. Travelers are advised to follow official directives. They are also advised to leave an area at the first sign of violence.

Recent
Advisories

Rock en Seine Music Festival will draw hundreds of thousands to Paris, France, from August 26-30; expect travel delays.

Rock en Seine is an annual five-day, multi-genre music festival that will take place from August 26 to 30 at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. The festival drew approximately 150,000 attendees in 2025 and will increase security and crowd density around the venue. During the festival, public transportation will experience heavy congestion, resulting in transit delays, especially through the Boulogne – Pont de Saint-Cloud subway station.

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The Canadian National Exhibition will draw large crowds to Toronto, Canada, from August 21–September 7; expect travel disruptions.

aiwan’s annual ‘Han Kuang’ military exercises will continue through August 14, with urban resilience drills and live-fire exercises in densely populated areas from August 7 to 13. Heightened security presence, localized access restrictions, and temporary internet disruptions are likely in areas affected by air-raid drills. Military activity and cross-Strait tensions will likely increase as China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity rose after previous Han Kuang iterations.

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Expect travel disruptions from August 16 to 18 due to the Southern African Development Community Summit in Durban, South Africa.

The 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit will occur in Durban at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) from August 16 to 17. The summit aims to address regional cooperation, peace, and South African development progress. Walnut Road is confirmed to be closed until August 18, while official motorcades may cause short-notice closures near King Shaka International Airport (DUR) as delegations arrive and depart.

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