News & Reports

Eastern Airways has suspended operations with immediate effect, cancelling all scheduled flights after filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators. The airline operated regional UK routes and shared services with partner carriers. Flight cancellations affect multiple domestic and short-haul routes, leaving passengers stranded and ongoing bookings void.   Advice: - Do not travel to the airport if booked with Eastern Airways; all flights are cancelled. - Contact your bank or card provider for refund or chargeback assistance if you booked directly. - Check with travel agents or partner airlines for alternative arrangements. - Expect limited availability on UK regional routes and possible fare increases in the short term.  

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall as a Category 5 storm with winds over 175 mph, causing extreme damage and flooding across southern and eastern parishes. Major airports in Kingston and Montego Bay are closed, flights canceled, and ports suspended. Coastal zones face life-threatening storm surge and flash floods, while mountainous areas are at high risk of landslides. Power and mobile networks are widely down, and road access between key cities is severely limited.   Advice: - Avoid all travel to Jamaica until conditions improve. - If in affected areas, shelter in place on higher ground away from coastlines and rivers. - Check flight status and rebooking options before heading to airports. - Expect ongoing flight disruptions across the Caribbean. - Monitor local news sources: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/

Aer Lingus cabin crew based at Manchester Airport are set to hold a series of strikes over pay disputes with management. The walkouts are scheduled for October 30–November 2, November 9–11, November 14, and November 16–18, and are expected to cause flight delays, cancellations, and schedule adjustments. Travelers should anticipate disruptions on Aer Lingus UK and transatlantic routes during the affected dates.   Advice: - Check flight status and rebooking options directly with Aer Lingus before traveling. - Allow extra time at Manchester Airport due to expected congestion. - Consider alternative travel dates or routes where possible. - Monitor airline and airport updates for the latest strike-related advisories: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk and https://www.aerlingus.com  

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms on Monday, October 27, affecting Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and northern KZN. These storms may produce heavy rainfall, flooding, hail, and strong winds. Elsewhere in the country, conditions will range from partly cloudy to warm, with isolated to scattered thundershowers possible. SAWS has also warned of extremely high fire danger in the Lephalale Local Municipality (Limpopo).   Advice: - Avoid flood-prone areas and seek shelter during thunderstorms. - Exercise caution on roads due to possible reduced visibility and hail. - Refrain from open-air activities during lightning storms. - Monitor live updates and warnings from the South African Weather Service: https://www.weathersa.co.za  

The Meteorological Department has issued a forecast warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms affecting 16 provinces, with the southern region expected to experience rainfall across 60% of its area. Central Thailand and Bangkok are also advised to prepare for adverse weather and potential local flooding. The monsoon trough crossing the central south, combined with a moderate northeast monsoon, is expected to intensify rainfall along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, creating hazardous sea conditions with waves reaching over 2 meters offshore.   Advice: - Avoid coastal and flood-prone areas, particularly in southern provinces such as Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, and Phuket. - Expect possible flight or ferry delays and road disruptions due to heavy rain. - Mariners and small boat operators should remain ashore during rough sea conditions. - Monitor weather advisories and updates from the Thai Meteorological Department: https://www.tmd.go.th/en  

Widespread flooding and landslides have struck central Vietnam, submerging homes, isolating communities, and disrupting transport routes from Hue to Quang Ngai Province. Water levels in the Huong and Bo rivers have risen sharply, flooding 32 of Hue’s 40 communes, with some areas submerged up to 1.5 meters. Key roads and bridges, including sections of National Highway 14 and Lo Xo Pass, are blocked by landslides, leaving hundreds of households isolated. Rail and road traffic through Hue has been suspended, and local authorities are conducting evacuation and rescue operations.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel to central Vietnam until floodwaters recede and transport routes reopen. - Expect significant delays and detours due to road closures and landslides. - Follow local evacuation orders and monitor official updates from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (https://www.nchmf.gov.vn). - Travelers should confirm transport and accommodation plans before departure.  

Weather warnings have been issued for the mountain regions, forecasting heavy rainfall, low clouds, snowfall at higher elevations, and sub-zero overnight temperatures from October 28 to 30. Conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, with rain turning to snow and ice forming on trails and roads, creating slippery, low-visibility, and hazardous terrain Advice: - Avoid entering hazardous terrain such as steep slopes, exposed ridges, or unsheltered tracks until conditions improve. - If you’re in a safe location, stay put, remain together, and avoid risky travel. - Ensure you have warm clothing, waterproof gear, shelter, charged communication devices, and enough supplies. - Monitor weather updates and be prepared to act quickly if conditions worsen. - Prioritise safety over schedule. Delay or reschedule any non-essential travel into the mountain zone until after October 30, when conditions are expected to moderate.  

Red Alert has been issued as Cyclone Montha intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding are forecast for coastal Andhra Pradesh, with orange alerts for neighboring districts of north Tamil Nadu and south Odisha. Andhra Pradesh authorities have activated an emergency relief and supply plan, including fuel, food, and shelter provisions. Advice: - Avoid coastal and low-lying areas, and move to higher ground if in flood-prone zones. - Suspend non-essential travel along the Andhra Pradesh coastline until conditions improve. - Stay indoors during high winds and avoid standing near trees, power lines, or unstable structures. - Monitor updates from the IMD and local authorities for evacuation alerts and changing weather conditions. - Keep mobile devices charged and prepare emergency supplies (water, food, medicine, flashlight).  

Lithuania has urgently sealed all border crossings with Belarus, effective immediately, after a third consecutive night of balloons breaching Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, causing repeated airport shutdowns in Vilnius and Kaunas. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė declared the military will shoot down any future balloons and labeled the incidents an ongoing “hybrid attack” on Lithuania. Advice: - Do not attempt to travel via the Belarus border. Immediately reroute through Latvia or Poland. - Confirm flight status before heading to Vilnius (VNO) or Kaunas (KUN) airports due to ongoing airspace restrictions. - Expect possible delays, diversions, and extended border closures. - Follow updates from LRT for the latest security and travel information.  

Meteorological officials have issued an orange heavy rainfall warning for Central North Island hill country (southern Waikato to Tongariro National Park), Tararua district, Taranaki Maunga, Richmond & Bryant ranges, Rai Valley, ranges of Grey, Buller & Tasman west of Motueka, and Westland District north of Haast regions from 27-28 October, warning of intense rain and potential flooding.   Advice: - Avoid non-essential travel in the affected hill country and western ranges during the warning period. - Expect localized flash flooding, slips, and saturated ground; avoid low-lying roads and stream crossings. - Allow additional time for travel and local transportation, as severe weather conditions may lead to delays, route changes, or temporary closures. - Monitor local weather and travel advisories from MetService New Zealand.