Indonesia steps up monitoring haze effects on flights in Kalimantan

hartono · Aug 22, 2026

Indonesia steps up monitoring haze effects on flights in Kalimantan

Forest and Land Fire Task Force put aircraft on standby for the second Weather Modification Operation (OMC) in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Wednesday (August, 22 2026). (ANTARA/Tumpal Andani Aritonang)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Transportation Ministry is stepping up its monitoring on the impact of forest fire-induced haze in Kalimantan and its surrounding regions on aviation and flight operations at local airports.

"We continue monitoring the situation and coordinate with all stakeholders," Director General for Air Transport at the Ministry, Lukman F. Laisa, said in his written remarks on Saturday.

Laisa stated as visibility is an important factor in flight safety, airlines should rearrange their flights by delaying or diverting them if visibility is affected by the haze.

"Flight safety is our utmost priority. Operators are required to adjust the flights if visibility is below the threshold," he stressed.

The Ministry official noted several flights to and from Singkawang Airport in West Kalimantan were cancelled due to the haze, affecting six TransNusa and six Super Air Jet flights between August 16 and 18, 2026.

Visibility at the airport, which was reported at 3,000 meters on August 16, declined to 2,000 meters on August 18 before slightly improving to 2,500 meters on August 19.

Passengers affected by the flight cancellations at Singkawang Airport are eligible for a full refund or free rescheduling within seven days, in accordance with the airlines' policies, he added.

In East Kalimantan, the monitoring is carried out at its seven airports, including Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport in Samarinda, and Kalimarau Airport in Berau District.

Flights at Datah Dawai Airport in Mahakam Ulu District, Maratua Airport in Berau District, Melalan Airport in West Kutai District, and Nusantara International Airport in East Kalimantan are confirmed to operate normally.

In Central Kalimantan, observation is taking place at the province's nine airports, including Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangka Raya. Flights at Tumbang Samba in Katingan District and Puruk Cahu Special Airport in the province operate normally.

However, the haze caused the rescheduling of at least four NAM Air flights from and to Iskandar Airport in Pangkalan Bun District, Central Kalimantan.

The authority continues to monitor flights at eight airports in North Kalimantan, with flights at Tanjung Harapan Airport in Bulungan District and Nunukan Airport in Nunukan District continue to operate normally.

As airport authorities are instructed to maintain caution due to weather and visibility as the haze blanketed Kalimantan, passengers are advised to monitor flight information for potential changes.

"We advise residents travelling from and to haze-affected areas to be aware of the latest update from the airlines or the airport and follow officers' instruction if affected by flight change," Laisa remarked.