Airlines report significant rise in doomsday flights to alleged ‘safe havens’

The peak of Bugarach, surrounded in legend for centuries, has become a focal  point for many Apocalypse believers as rumours have circulated that its mountain  contains doors into other worlds. (Photo: Reuters)

December 15, 2012 - WORLD - With the Mayan calendar coming to an end on December 21, many doomsday believers think that means the end of the world is coming. Some are doing what they can to survive the supposed apocalypse, so they’re heading to places that they believe will protect them on doomsday. Searches for flights to places like Bugarach, France and Sirince, Turkey have significantly increased. According to The Telegraph, which cites Skyscanner, flights to the south of France are up by 41 percent for the week before Dec. 21, compared to the same week last year. Flights to Sirince, Turkey are up by 30 percent. “We were surprised to see how big an increase there has been in searches for flights to the South of France and to Izmir in Turkey leading up to the 21st December: the date of the Mayan prophecy,” Victoria Bailie said. In addition in an increase in flights, the demand for hotels is high, so hotel prices are higher than usual. In Sirince, Turkey, hotel prices have faced an increase from $58 to $1690. In Bugarach, some residents are renting out their houses for up to $1,600 a night. Many are heading there as they believe the Pic de Bugarach Mountain holds aliens inside who will take humans with them as they abandon the earth when it ends. Another popular destination is Mount Rtanj in Serbia which some also believe has a special alien power that will protect them during the apocalypse. Those who don’t think the world will end are making their holiday travel arrangements. December 22 is expected to be one of the busiest air travel days this year as people travel for Christmas. –Travelers Today

NASA releases Day After film early: A film from NASA about the Mayan prophecy that the world will end on 21 December has been released 10 days early. The Mayan calendar’s 5,125-year run is due to end in 10 days, but the film – entitled The World Didn’t End Yesterday – argues that the calendar should be interpreted as cyclical.  –Guardian