Indonesia closed the airport on the tourist island of Bali Monday and ordered 100,000 residents living near a grumbling volcano spewing columns of ash to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be “imminent”. The airport was closed for 24 hours from Monday morning, disrupting 445 flights and some 59,000 passengers, after Mount Agung, which killed hundreds of people in 1963, sent volcanic ash high into the sky, and officials said cancellations could be extended. “Plumes of smoke are occasionally accompanied by explosive eruptions and the sound of weak blasts that can be heard up to 12 km (7 miles) from the peak,” the Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said after raising the alert from three to its highest level of four. “The potential for a larger eruption is imminent,” it said, referring to a visible glow of magma at Mount Agung’s peak overnight, and warning residents to evacuate a danger zone at a radius of 8-10 km (5-6 miles). Sutopo, a BNPB spokesman, said there had been no casualties so far and 40,000 people had left the area, but tens of thousands still needed to move. Video footage shared by the agency showed volcanic mud flows (lahar) on the mountainside. Lahar carrying mud and large boulders can destroy houses, bridges and roads in its path.<br/>
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While Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali is currently closed until the next 18 hours, Lombok International Airport reopened on Monday morning (Nov.27) after being closed for one full day due to volcanic ash from Mount Agung. With this news, there’s a possibility that stranded tourists in Bali might decide to travel to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) instead. Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said that the people of Lombok should facilitate these tourists and serve them well. He suggested for hotels, resorts, homestay and lodgings in Lombok to give more than 50% discount. Lombok should also provide free transportation from hotels to the airport and entertain visitors with any kind of attractions.<br/>
Christmas could be ruined for thousands of passengers with crackers, party poppers – and chestnuts – on many airlines’ naughty lists. Strict rules imposed by airports and airlines mean passengers aren’t always allowed to travel with these seasonal essentials - either in their hand luggage or checked bags. As a result of heightened security measures, the likes of Ryanair, Etihad, Emirates and Norwegian Airlines all have crackers on the no-fly list. Even those using airlines which do allow them can usually only take them on board if they are sealed and in their original packaging. Party poppers are banned on all flights leaving the UK while chestnuts are only permitted on arrivals from certain countries. Nick Caunter, MD of Airport Parking & Hotels Ltd, said: “Packing crackers in particular is a bit of minefield, with airlines and airports having their own, sometimes conflicting restrictions. So we’ve undertaken this research to hopefully make life a little easier for those flying this Christmas.” Budget carrier easyJet, along with Aer Lingus and BMI Regional, permit passengers to bring crackers with them in both checked and cabin luggage. But despite the stance of some airlines, UK airports have rules of their own on the festive favourites. Story has further details.<br/>