The tourist reportedly admitted that he walked from a villa in the Ubud area because his stay there had come to an end and he’d been unable to find a driver to take him to a new accommodation
Karl Adolf Amrhein was reportedly confronted by officers in the village of Sukawati(Image: Gianyar Police Department)
A tourist was detained while out on a walk on holiday.
The American citizen, Karl Adolf Amrhein, was detained at 7.15 am on March 19 while walking with bags along Jalan Raya Sukawati in Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia’s police force said in a press statement.
The Pecalang officers patrolling the area discovered the foreign national traveling on foot.
“After initial communication failed, he was escorted to the Sukawati Police Station for clarification,” said Superintendent Chandra Citra Kesuma, the Chief of Gianyar Sub-regional Police.
According to Antara News, the tourist admitted that he walked from a villa in the Ubud area because his stay there had come to an end and he’d been unable to find a driver to take him to a new accommodation.
“Upon receiving this acknowledgement, Sukawati Police personnel, assisted by the Pecalang of Sukawati Traditional Village, explained that currently there is a Nyepi celebration on the island of Bali, where there is no activity for one day,” said Superintendent Chandra.
Mr Amrhein was told that all activities in Bali were temporarily suspended for Nyepi Day, it was reported. He was offered the opportunity to rest at the Sukawati Police Headquarters until the next day, but he reportedly asked for accommodation in a holiday villa, which was granted.
A mandatory stay-at-home order is in place across Bali during the Nyepi Day of Silence celebrations, during which all outdoor activities and public transport are banned.
The celebrations mark the start of the new year. However, unlike in other parts of the world, Balinese Hindus don’t mark the new year by having a huge booze-soaked party or letting off fireworks. Instead, they embrace the silence.
From 6am on March 11 until the same time the following day, adherents switch off their electrical devices, fast, meditate, and stay home with their families. Outside a group of specialist security officers patrol the street, ensuring that no one is outside causing a ruckus.
Although 8% of Bali’s population is not Hindu, the entire island is impacted by the holiday, which sees the roads completely cleared of vehicles aside from the occasional ambulance and all tourist attractions closed. Hotels do not check anyone in or out during the period. If you do find yourself on the island over the holiday, then you’ll be treated to an experience like no other.
The day before Nyepi is Ngrupuk, which is essentially a time to get all of the noise out of your system. Children parade effigies of evil spirits made out of papier-mâché around the streets before torching them, while men launch burning coconuts at one another. Carrying torches while yelling and spitting spice into the corner of homes is another common custom on the day.
Many hotels such as the Viceroy Bali do not allow customers to book in over Nyepi. Those who are already checked-in cannot leave the hotel grounds but are able to use the pool, spa and gym there. The Wi-Fi is also kept on.
“We respect our culture, but we also respect our guests. They are not the same religion as us, so that means our hotel is still operating normally,” resort manager Jero Mangku Tindih told CNN. On Ngrupuk guests of the hotel can head on an arranged trip to a nearby village to watch the flaming coconut battle and masked parade.
Chief Chandra urged all international visitors to respect Balinese customary laws to maintain communal harmony during high-level cultural observances.
The Foreign Office has updated travel guidance warning Brits heading to popular destinations to expect potential flight disruptions
Nicola Roy Multimedia content creator
13:02, 21 Mar 2026
Australia is a hugely popular destination for Brits(Image: Kieran Stone via Getty Images)
This week, British travellers heading overseas have been warned that their holiday plans could face disruption.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the government department responsible for issuing travel guidance to ensure public safety, has updated its advice for several popular tourist destinations.
The continuing tensions in the Middle East mean delays and other forms of disruption are likely, even for those not travelling to the region itself. The FCDO sometimes advises against all travel to particular countries.
While these destinations don’t fall into that bracket, it remains crucial to follow the guidance.
The update states: “Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
“Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
The FCDO has issued this update for countries including Australia, New Zealand and Thailand this week. Before departing, travellers are advised to review the guidance for any countries or territories they’ll be passing through, reports the Express.
It’s also recommended that you check the latest information from your airline or tour operator before setting off.
Additionally, reviewing your travel insurance policy beforehand can be beneficial, just to confirm what’s covered if your arrangements are disrupted.
The FCDO added: “Monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts.”
Ignoring advice from the FDCO could potentially render your travel insurance null and void, so it’s crucial to check over the details before you take off.
Your insurance should cover your planned itinerary, activities and any emergency expenses.
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
Footage has emerged that purportedly shows a Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft operating over Ukraine. If legitimate, this would be the first time that the radar plane has been seen in Ukrainian service, as far as we know, and would mark an important new capability for Ukraine, and one that we have discussed in depth in the past.
Russians are posting footage they claim shows likely a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C long-range radar and control aircraft flying over Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/XkFZlok2B3
The video in question appears to have been first posted to a Russian Telegram account and clearly shows one of the aircraft, with its distinctive ‘balance beam’ radar fairing on the upper fuselage, in level flight during the daytime. The date and location of the video cannot be confirmed. It should also be noted that we cannot verify the footage itself, but there is nothing to immediately suggest it may have been doctored.
As mentioned, this appears to be the first time we have ever seen one of the Ukrainian Air Force’s two Saab 340 AEW&C planes, although there are suggestions that the type has been flying in Ukrainian skies for some time.
In April of last year, open-source flight-tracking platforms suggested that a possible Ukrainian radar plane was operating in the Lviv region, in western Ukraine, flying circuits and using the callsign WELCOME. Before that, an unidentified aircraft with the same callsign was observed operating in airspace near Poland and Hungary. If true, that suggests that the track over Lviv may have been a post-delivery acceptance or calibration flight. It’s also worth noting that transponders can be manipulated to provide false aircraft tracks, too.
Stockholm’s transfer of two Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to Ukraine was announced in May 2024, as we reported at the time. The donation was part of the biggest Swedish military aid package for Ukraine up to that point, worth around $1.25 billion.
At the time, it was said that it would take around a year to train the aircrew and maintenance personnel, as well as prepare the ground facilities for the new aircraft.
The Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft is known in Swedish military service as the ASC 890 and alternatively as the S 100D Argus. The Swedish Air Force operated two of these aircraft, with both understood to have been provided to Kyiv. Another two ex-Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft are operated by Thailand, and another pair were sold to Poland, having previously been operated by the United Arab Emirates.
Royal Thai Air Force Gripen and Saab 340 Erieye AEW
For Ukraine, the significance of the Saab 340 AEW&C is hard to overstate.
It brings an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has never operated any type of AEW&C platform.
The core of the aircraft is its Saab Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Carried atop the fuselage, this can detect air and sea targets at ranges of up to around 280 miles, with the aircraft typically operating at an altitude of 20,000 feet. Reportedly, the AESA system can track up to 1,000 airborne and 500 surface targets simultaneously.
Erieye explained
All this data is handled by three mission crew: a mission control officer, a combat control operator, and a surveillance operator. It can also be downlinked to ground stations and to other aircraft, at least in theory, of which more later.
Unlike a surface-based air defense radar, the Erieye provides a ‘lookdown’ capability. Without the line-of-sight limitations of terrain, the radar will be especially useful for detecting low-flying Russian drones and cruise missiles. These are otherwise notably tricky targets, due to the low altitudes at which they fly and their small radar signatures. With that in mind, the aircraft should provide Ukraine’s air defenses with a huge situational-awareness boost.
A photograph taken on December 27, 2025, shows an Iranian-designed Shahed-136 (or Russian-made Geran-2) drone flying over Kyiv during a Russian drone and missile attack. Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP via Getty Images SERGEI SUPINSKY
Within its layered air defense network, Ukraine relies heavily on crewed fighter jets (as well as other aircraft platforms) to intercept drones and cruise missiles. Adding the Saab 340 AEW&C to the equation, the radar plane should be able to work as a fighter controller, detecting targets, prioritizing them, and then assigning them to the fighters for interception. Equally, this data could be provided to other air defense assets.
Especially useful in this regard would be the NATO-standard Link 16 datalink communications system. This would, in theory, be compatible with Ukraine’s F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters, as well as Western-supplied ground-based air defense systems.
Український пілот про ефективність Mirage2000/Ukrainian Pilot on the Effectiveness of the Mirage2000
However, in late 2024, it was reported that the F-16s donated to Ukraine have had Link 16 systems removed or disabled, due to U.S. worries that they could end up in Russian hands.
This would deprive those fighters of a real-time air defense ‘picture’ sourced from the Erieye radar, and, at this point, it’s unclear if the Link 16 connectivity is available to Ukraine.
As of March 2025, it was reported that the delivery of the radar planes was on track, and they would be able to operate effectively with Ukraine’s F-16s.
A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 takes off for an air defense sortie. Ukrainian Air Force
“The timing of ASC 890 deliveries is linked to when certain modifications to F-16 fighters will be ready. There is no delay in the transfer of airborne early warning aircraft to Ukraine,” the Lithuanian Delfi news agency reported. This sounds very much like a reference to enabling the Link 16 connectivity.
However, even without Link 16, the Saab 340 AEW&C is able to provide much-enhanced air and sea surveillance for Ukraine.
Later versions of the Erieye radar also have a synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indication (SAR/GMTI) capability, although it’s not clear if Ukraine has received that either. While SAR provides detailed image-like mapping of the ground at standoff ranges, GMTI detects and tracks movements on the ground over time, which would allow monitoring of Russian troop movements.
Should Ukraine’s ambitious plans to buy Saab Gripen fighters in the future materialize, the combination of these jets and the Saab 340 AEW&C could make a tailor-made solution for air defense and other missions.
For all its capabilities, the Saab 340 AEW&C will also be a prime target for Russia.
Russia’s own A-50 Mainstay AEW&C aircraft have been repeatedly targeted by Ukraine, in recognition of their value as force multipliers.
A Russian Aerospace Forces A-50U Mainstay. Russian MoD Russian Air Force A-50U Mainstay. (Russian MoD)
Russia was estimated to have nine A-50s in active service at the start of the full-scale invasion. Since then, there have been two combat losses, and another of these aircraft was damaged in a drone attack while on the ground at a base in Belarus, and its current status is unknown. More recently, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed an A-50 had been hit in a strike on a maintenance facility in the Novgorod region of Russia.
This reality almost certainly means Ukraine operates the Saab radar planes from the far west of the country, likely moving them between airfields to reduce their exposure to airstrikes. Similar tactics are also employed by Ukrainian F-16s. With a maximum of two aircraft, round-the-clock coverage is also impossible, so one aircraft may well be kept on permanent ground alert to respond to particularly intensive Russian drone and missile barrages.
It is likely for this reason, too, that we have not seen anything of the Ukrainian Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft since their delivery.
With time, we will hopefully learn more about what these secretive assets are bringing to Ukraine’s air defenses and what kind of effect they are having on countering the near-constant Russian drone and missile attacks.
Davina McCall and Joel Dommett hosted BBC Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day special, with the TV presenter forced to caution viewers
Davina was forced to issue a warning to viewers(Image: BBC)
BBC Comic Relief’s Davina McCall found herself compelled to issue a warning to viewers just moments into the programme.
The charity fundraiser made its annual return to our telly screens on Friday (March 20) evening, as the Red Nose Day squad tackled the biggest night in comedy and entertainment.
TV favourite Davina took on presenting responsibilities, joined by co-host and close mate Joel Dommett for the entire evening’s entertainment.
They were joined by comedic luminaries such as Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed and Catherine Tate (reprising her role as Nan from The Catherine Tate Show).
This year’s live broadcast once again brought more energy and enthusiasm than ever before. The three-hour extravaganza kicked off with a special message from Sir Lenny Henry, who retired from his hosting duties back in 2024, and a musical number from Catherine Tate, reports Wales Online.
However, early into the proceedings, Davina found herself obliged to issue a warning to viewers when the cast of The Play that Goes Wrong provided a step-by-step guide on how to donate to Comic Relief during the show.
The programme switched to a clip of the cast performing a skit involving some perilous stunts. Following the clip, Davina began by saying: “Thank you so much to the cast of the Play that Goes Wrong. Smashing… literally.
“The actors used specially designed fake props and are all professionally trained in the art of tomfoolery.”
She cautioned: “Please do not try anything that you saw at home, especially taking a swig from the bottle marked with a warning and skull and cross bones label.” Joel chimed in: “Don’t do that.”
The charity event, held at Salford’s MediaCity, showcased sketches from Amandaland, the Bank Job featuring the dynamic This Morning pair Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, and The Traitors: The Movie – The Sequel.
Communities, workplaces, schools and families have contributed to raising more than £1.6 billion over the past 41 years, benefiting over 100 million people, according to Comic Relief.
The charity has been instrumental in supporting communities by offering food, healthcare and shelter to those most in need. Meanwhile, Greg James participated in a colossal Comic Relief challenge, which saw him raise over £4million.
He embarked on his journey from Weymouth on Friday 13 March. The star endured eight gruelling days of pushing himself to the extreme, cycling through England and Wales before crossing the finish line in Edinburgh on Friday 20 March.
Comic Relief: Funny For Money is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Here’s all you need to know(Image: Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
People who are planning to go on holiday this year may want to check their passports now, with some at risk of being hit with a £239.50 fee.
The price of a new or replacement passport is set to rise next month, and everyone in the UK needs a passport for overseas travel. According to Gov.uk, you can apply for a British passport if you’re a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British subject, a British national (overseas), or a British protected person. HM Passport Office issues these documents, which currently take around three weeks or less to be delivered.
If your passport is damaged, or has expired, you will need to order a replacement one in order to travel overseas. Most people will need to pay a fee to renew an existing passport or to obtain a new one, including those for children.
At present, a standard adult passport, for those aged 16 and over, costs £94.50 when applying online, or £107 when applying via the paper form – but these charges are set to climb to £102 and £115.50, respectively.
Additional price hikes that will come into force on April 8 include the charge for a standard child’s passport increasing from £61.50 to £66.50, or from £74 to £80 for a postal application. If you need a new passport quickly, you can currently use the Premium Service (for a passport within one day) for £222.
However, from April 8 this cost will jump up to £239.50. For those applying for a UK passport from overseas, the cost will increase by £8.50 – from £108 to £116.50 – for adults, and by £5.50 – from £70 to £75.50 for a child’s passport.
The cost of overseas standard paper applications will also go up from £120.50 to £130 for adults and £82.50 to £89 for children. While the majority of folks will have to pay for their passports, there are a select few who can get one for free.
If your birth date falls on or before September 2, 1929, you’re eligible to apply for a new British passport or renew your existing one without spending a penny. You can also take advantage of the Post Office Check and Send service at no charge and benefit from free secure delivery.
The country welcomed 400,000 Brits in 2025, and now the government has updated its travel advice for the country and have highlighted some issues that tourists visiting the area might face
400,000 Brits visited this beautiful country last year(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel warning for a destination that’s popular with Brits and updated some of its advice for those visiting the country. This included a stark warning about a particular tourist attraction that has become increasingly dangerous.
South Africa saw 400,000 visitors arrive from the UK in the past year alone, and the FCDO has previously said it is ‘likely’ that terrorists could try to carry out attacks such as a ‘lone actor’ attacking public spaces including tourist sites. Its advice for tourists is to: “Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.”
However, it’s worth noting that many countries have similar advice around terror attacks, and that the FCDO is careful to state that “No travel can be guaranteed safe.” Recently, the FCDO updated the advice for those visiting South Africa to add some new warnings on fraud and scams and other risks.
It reiterated: “Be alert to the risk of scams, including through business or job opportunities, visa services or offers of romance and friendships, including on dating apps. Do not meet up with or send money to someone you do not know or have not met in person.”
It warned of the risks of common scams like card skimming and confidence tricks, and said there had been an increase in cybercrime and internet scamming. The FCDO also updated its advice about nightlife and dating, saying: “Criminals use dating apps to rob, rape or sexually assault victims. Be cautious using dating apps and meet in well-lit, public places. Always tell friends or family your plans.
“Be wary when dealing with strangers who offer free drinks, rides or unexpected personal attention. There have been instances of drink spiking involving robbery and sexual assault with both male and female victims. If you think your drink has been spiked, seek immediate medical help and contact the police.”
The FCDO has also offered advice for those planning to hire a car in South Africa and said that visiting Brits should drive carefully. It added: “Driving standards vary in South Africa. Fatal road accidents are common, particularly around weekends and major public holidays.” Brits should also make themselves familiar with local rules and etiquette such as speed limits and overtaking.
Another section of the page that was update gave specific advice about Table Mountain National Park. The area is a popular tourist attraction for hikers and cyclists, and has many unique plants and trees that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. However, the FCDO says: “There have been recent violent attacks and muggings against hikers and foreign tourists in Table Mountain National Park, including on Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.”
It gave some advice to people planning a trip to the national park, advising them to avoid quieter areas, especially during early mornings and evenings when there won’t be many fellow hikers around. Visitors should stay on busy, marked trails, and visit during peak times such as weekends.
Finally, the FCDO advised people not to hike alone in the area.
Anyone planning a trip to South Africa in the near future should ensure they check the FCDO advice page before they leave, and sign up for e-mail alerts so they can be notified when any changes are made.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
He has just returned from the UAE with crucial advice
The war in the Middle East is having a major knock-on effect on international travel(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A travel expert has issued a warning to individuals with flights booked to or from the Middle East. The alert comes as tensions continue in the area, with Israel and the US maintaining their strikes on Iran which commenced over a fortnight ago.
Iran continues to hit back with drone and missile attacks on several neighbouring and nearby nations. This resulted in Dubai, a major hub for international travel and home to the world’s busiest airport, temporarily closing its airspace for the second time in 48 hours due to strikes in the vicinity.
Simon Calder, a journalist with the Independent, has just returned from the United Arab Emirates. He provided an update on the current situation for those flying to or from the Middle East, including passengers transiting through the region en route to other destinations.
He stated: “I’ve just arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 4 after a fairly normal flight from Abu Dhabi on Etihad. What wasn’t normal was just how quiet it was when I arrived. Terminal 4, the main hub for the Middle East from London, is frankly a bit of a ghost town. Many of the flights that you would normally expect to see multiple departures on Qatar Airways to Doha and on Etihad to Abu Dhabi are not flying, and there’s also, for instance, Gulf Air based in Bahrain who are not going there.
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“Having said that, there’s perhaps more flights than you might expect, given that, for example, Qatar and the UAE are on the Foreign Office no-go list. There’s a departure this evening to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and one a little later on Qatar Airways overnight to Doha. As well as that, El Al is going out to Tel Aviv. Now, you might have heard that the airspace in Israel is closed; well, it kind of is, but if you’ve got permission, and El Al certainly has, then you can go in.
“And finally, Gulf Air is flying from here later on today, but not to the normal destination of Bahrain. Instead, it’s going to Dammam, which is very close by in Saudi Arabia, from where passengers can travel to that island quite happily over the causeway. But bear in mind that the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain are all on the Foreign Office no-go list. If you choose to ignore that advice, then it’s likely your travel insurance will not be valid.
Unsurprisingly, the conflict has impacted international travel in numerous ways. Not only have passenger numbers and flights passing through the Middle East declined dramatically, but neighbouring countries favoured by Brits seeking spring sunshine, including Cyprus and Turkey, have also experienced a fall in visitor numbers.
Conversely, nations to the west boasting milder weather, including Spain and Portugal, have witnessed a surge in reservations – as has the Caribbean. The situation has not only left thousands of British holidaymakers stuck in the Middle East, but many are also anxious about their upcoming travel arrangements.
The Association of British Insurers attempted to address these worries with the following statement when questioned about whether insurance will cover the cancellation of a trip to the Middle East due to concerns over the conflict.
It stated: “As the situation evolves, we can understand why people may be reconsidering their future plans to travel to the region. If you wish to cancel your trip, contact your airline, accommodation provider or tour operator in the first instance. They may be able to rebook parts of your trip or offer a refund.
“Travel insurance may not cover cancellations linked to the conflict, depending on your policy’s terms, any war exclusions, and when you bought it. Policies differ, and insurers may take different approaches, so it’s important to check with your insurer to understand what’s covered.”
SPANISH sun and a sense of calm was what I was expecting to greet me at Lanzarote Airport – instead I spend the first three hours of my holiday queuing to get out of the arrivals hall.
Because thousands of travellers like myself were stuck in huge queues, thanks to the new EES system – and with Easter and summer season on the way, I can see it getting worse.
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I had to queue in the arrivals hall at Lanzarote Airport for three hoursThe huge queue led to the EES registration point
My Jet2 flight landed at half past one on a Thursday afternoon in early March and I didn’t get out until just after half past four.
The queues stretched along the corridor and zigzagged all the way through the arrivals hall that took passengers to EES registration.
I’d already signed up to EES, having visited Lithuania a few months ago – but that was no use at all.
There was no separate queue for – or any staff for that matter – advising those who have registered to head straight to the passport e-gates.
While this was frustrating, what was even more so was that only half of the EES machines were actually working.
When I finally made it to my bus transfer, even the Jet2Holidays rep said she’d ‘never seen delays this bad’.
While Lanzarote has had a bad rep for lengthy queues in recent weeks, they are by no means the only ones.
The Sun travel team has been to various airports across Europe since the start of 2026 and many of them have had much longer queues than usual.
Like in Lanzarote, in some places only half the EES machines are working.
In other destinations, all of the machines are switched off until around midday. So it’ s pure luck as to whether you’ll even get to sign up.
Thanks to its winter sun offering, Lanzarote is one of the first airports to really show what an issue the new system could be for Brits this summer – when millions of visitors arrive for their annual holidays across Europe.
Lanzarote Airport has been subject to ‘bottlenecking’ which is a term used when there are too many flights at once and it causes congestion in the airport.
It’s no surprise really, Lanzarote is a small island with a small airport.
Around 100 planes land at the airport each day and over one million British tourists visit Lanzarote each year, with more heading there over the Easter and summer holidays.
Looking at planned flights on flightradar24 for Thursday 19 March 2026, there are almost 40 from the UK alone, with just under 100 flights in total scheduled for the day.
Between 2pm and 3pm there are 10 flights due from the UK.
Two from Glasgow arrive at the same time, and others are within five and ten-minute intervals.
Delays in the airport in the Canary Islands will be worse during peak summer holidaysCredit: AlamyScheduled Lanzarote flights for Thursday 19 March see 10 arriving within one hourCredit: Flightradar24
With the queues in Lanzarote reportedly reaching four hours, I’ve seen parents fearing travel chaos for their upcoming holiday.
One mum even started a forum on Mumsnet with the subject ‘Lanzarote airport actual chaos or exaggerated drama’.
In the comments, one recent visitor described the airport as a ‘madhouse’.
Another, who went on holiday around the same time as me, described it as an “absolute nightmare” and has even cancelled their booking in April as a result.
The lengthy wait times are likely to crop up at other European destinations too because of the new EES requirement.
Delays have been reported at airports like Brussels, Lisbon and Prague, and officials have even called for the EES to be delayed until after the summer holidays.
As for Lanzarote, if you want to make the most of your arrival on the island, then I’d suggest booking an earlier flight so you’ll still have the afternoon to explore.
Otherwise all there is to do is line up and wait patiently.
Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot reveals how EES will impact travellers during school holidays…
The impending deadline requiring all EU countries to be processing all passengers using the new Entry Exit System (EES) is looming and as Easter approaches we could see chaos across the continent.
We’ve seen significant disruption already as UK holidaymakers are caught up in hours-long queues to provide their details and unless the right staffing is in place, things could get much worse.
Speaking to the former boss of easyJet last year, he warned me airports could become overwhelmed and airlines may be forced to keep passengers on planes on arrival – throwing tight flight schedules into chaos.
The issue as far as I am concerned is the lack of joined up thinking and common systems. Every airport in every country I have travelled through since the system was launched has a different way of channelling passengers through the passport checking process.
At Rome last week, the kiosk I was directed to successfully took my biometric picture but seemed incapable of processing my fingerprints and I was directed to a customs agent for a traditional stamp.
Returning from Barcelona, no kiosks were in operation at all and we simply went through an e-Gate with no fingerprints checked and again, were directed to an agent for a stamp.
Bigger airports with the resources to invest in the costly equipment are probably going to be easy to travel through.
Whether that will be the same for smaller, regional airports that already struggle to cope with large crowds in busy periods remains to be seen.
Airlines and airports are lobbying the EU to allow the rules to be relaxed should large crowds start to build.
That seems imminently sensible to me as from may recent experiences, the system is not yet up and running efficiently – Head of Sun Travel, Lisa Minot
Tourism consultant David Evans has warned that the cost of flying is likely to rise sharply
Expert David Evans warned that the cost of flying could soon surge
A travel expert has advised folks to snap up flights now in anticipation of a predicted ‘surge’ in airfare costs. Tourism consultant David Evans revealed that aviation fuel prices have rocketed by 70 per cent in the wake of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he suggested that this could soon make flying considerably pricier. This situation is likely to be compounded by the financial strain many airlines are under due to the cancellation of numerous flights amid the unrest in the Middle East.
When asked by host Rachel Burden whether people should book now before flight prices soar, Mr Evans responded: “If you can get a flight that you feel is offering you a really good value-for-money price and it is via somewhere like Singapore (then yes).
“It’s also worth bearing in mind that, once all this blows over, which hopefully won’t be too far off, the Middle Eastern airlines will undoubtedly be introducing some attractive fares into the market to try and recoup the demand they’ve lost over the past few weeks.
“According to the data we’ve seen, the cost of jet fuel has risen by about 70 per cent. Fuel accounts for roughly a quarter of an airline’s operating cost, so the maths are pretty straightforward – if the fuel price is climbing that much, it won’t be long before air fares start to rise. If this carries on for many more weeks, travelling is likely to become more expensive.”
Mr Evans’ remarks follow revelations that holiday-goers are eschewing Easter trips to traditionally favoured destinations such as Cyprus, Turkey, and Dubai, opting instead for western locations like Spain, Italy, and Portugal, as well as the Caribbean and Mauritius. According to Thomas Cook, bookings to Portugal saw a 42 per cent surge in the fortnight leading up to 13 March.
British Airways has axed some Middle East flight routes until June due to ‘airspace instability’, whilst the UAE and Dubai have been compelled to repeatedly shut down both airports and airspace following retaliatory Iranian strikes. Iraqi officials reported that Iranian strikes over the country on Monday (March 16) were the most intense they had seen throughout the entire war.
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“I think the announcement from BA is probably good news in that it gives those people who would otherwise have been in complete limbo thinking, ‘crikey, is this situation going to improve or not over the next few months’ – now they know their flight is cancelled, they can either rebook on a different route or they can get a refund and use the money to either holiday domestically or to go to a different destination, so at least it provides certainty,” Mr Evans added.
“I guess we could say that the 2020s have been a bingo card of doom and this is the square for 2026, but it is also worth saying that the tourism industry and indeed tourists are incredibly resilient.
“Yes, clearly many people are being disrupted if they had either to or from the UK to or via the Middle East, but there are lots of other destinations that are still open for business and lots of other visitors able to get to the UK very easily.”
The 900ft Arctic Metagaz, a charred Russian ghost tanker, has drifted dangerously close to Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean known for its history and culture
23:17, 16 Mar 2026Updated 23:19, 16 Mar 2026
The carrier is adrift between Malta and Lampedusa(Image: Newsbook Malta/AFP via Getty Ima)
Malta — a popular holiday hotspot — is said to be under threat of a “major ecological disaster”.
A charred Russian ghost tanker is believed to be around 50 nautical miles southwest of the island, and is drifting crewless towards the archipelago. The vessel was blitzed two weeks ago by Ukranian drones and has since, the hole-ridden 900ft Arctic Metagaz has moved towards Malta.
And now multiple European countries have warned an ecological threat is imminent. In a letter to the European Commission, seven nations said the “precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo” posed a “serious risk”. These countries have described the situation as a “dual challenge” – upholding maritime safety and preventing an ecological disaster against the background of EU sanctions imposed on.
Russia claimed that Ukraine used “uncrewed sea drones” to target the Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. The Security Service of Ukraine has not responded to the accusation.
According to Russia, the attack took place on March 4 and was launched from the Libyan coast. The vessel had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Composed largely of ageing tankers, the fleet moves Russian oil and gas worldwide while bypassing Western restrictions. Authorities in Malta and Italy have been closely monitoring the wreck amid concerns about potential pollution. Rome said the vessel was carrying “significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel.”
WWF Italy warned in a statement: “A potential spill could cause fires, cryogenic clouds lethal to marine life, and widespread and long-lasting pollution of water and the atmosphere.”
It added: “The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin.”
Salvage experts are already in Malta in preparation for the ship’s arrival in Maltese waters, while a specialist vessel is on its way, a maritime source told AFP on Sunday.
Initial reports indicated that the ship sank after explosions sparked a fire on board. Libyan authorities said the tanker went down about 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte. Around 30 Russians were on board the Arctic Metagaz, according to Russia’s transport ministry. They were all found “safe and sound in a lifeboat” by Malta’s armed forces, Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said.
However, Malta’s transport authority said last week that the wreck was still afloat. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation acknowledged that the vessel was drifting in the Mediterranean and said Russia’s further involvement in resolving the situation would depend on “concrete circumstances”. It added that efforts to address the situation — including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support — could risk “undermining the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime”.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ship had no crew and was carrying 700 metric tons of various types of fuel along with “a substantial amount of natural gas”.
“The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries … for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster,” Zakharova wrote.
“Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances.”
The HM Passport Office has issued a warning to Brits about passport checks they must carry out well in advance of any impending holidays over spring and summer
10:30, 12 Mar 2026Updated 10:38, 12 Mar 2026
HM Passport Office has issued a warning to holidaymakers (Image: Getty Images)
HM Passport Office has issued a warning to Brits ahead of the peak travel season.
With the Easter half-term just weeks away and plans already made for a summer getaway, thousands of holidaymakers will be jetting off abroad during one of the busiest travel periods. To ensure their journey gets off to a flying start, Brits are being urged to check their passports; otherwise, they risk being turned away at the airport.
In a stark reminder, the HM Passport Office advised Brits to “check your passport now” in a post shared on X, ahead of any spring or summer trips. A link in the post directed travellers to the government website, where they can apply online to renew, replace, or update their passports.
There are two key dates you should check on your document; the expiry date, and the issue date, especially if you’re planning to head to a European hotspot such as France, Spain or Greece. This is because of a post-Brexit regulation on travel to the European Union or Schengen countries, which stipulates that UK passports must have been issued less than 10 years before your departure and must be valid for at least 3 months after your return.
Meanwhile countries such as Australia, China, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and India require at least 6 months of passport validity from the date of arrival. It’s vital to check any entry requirements and passport validity before making any travel plans.
You must also ensure your passport has not been physically damaged, as this may render it invalid. This could include ripped pages, water damage, separated covers, or anything else that might make the personal information difficult to read.
Travel expert Jamie Fraser at Wild Packs warned that the general wear and tear of a passport can also be problematic when passing through automated scanners or at airport border control points. So it’s vital to check that your passport is in good condition, or if you need to apply for a replacement.
There must also be a blank page at the back of the passport for any necessary stamps or visas. If the passport is crammed with stamps from past trips, it could create problems at the border if there aren’t enough blank pages, leaving you unable to travel.
If your passport has expired or needs to be replaced, you can apply for a new one through the government website. However, it’s crucial to do it well in advance, as it can take around three weeks and sometimes longer.
There are fast-track passport services available, but Jamie cautioned that these are not “always guaranteed and appointments can be limited during peak travel periods”. HM Passport Office also advised: “Do not book travel until you have a valid passport – your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.”
To renew or replace your standard passport online, it will cost £94.50, or £107 if you opt for a paper application. Meanwhile, a child’s passport will cost £61.50 online or £74 by post.
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