Indonesia’s recent forest fires have resulted in severe haze across multiple regions, disrupting more than 2,600 domestic flights since August and forcing the cancellation of 14 international services.
Flights Disrupted and Cancelled
A total of 2,604 domestic flights were affected between Aug. 11 and Oct. 19. More than half of these flights were cancelled or postponed, while the rest have faced delays.
The disruptions have spanned across airports nationwide, with authorities citing deteriorating visibility as the primary safety concern.
The Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) reported a sharp escalation in forest fires across six provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with a total of 570.09 hectares of land burned in just 24 hours. As of Oct. 21, nearly 1.9 million hectares of land were affected by the fires.
Lukman F. Laisa, the director general of civil aviation at the Transportation Ministry, said:
“We will not compromise on safety. If visibility falls below the minimum operational threshold, flights may experience delays, cancellations, postponements, or diversions. These measures are part of our efforts to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crews”
Laisa highlighted that passengers should be able to practice their rights, adding:
“We have tasked the Airport Authority Office with overseeing the enforcement of passenger rights on the ground. We will not hesitate to impose sanctions on airlines that fail to fulfil their obligations in accordance with the regulations.”
How Haze Affects Airplanes
Haze is formed by the suspension of fine particles such as dust and smoke in the air, typically associated with hot and dry conditions. These particles scatter shorter wavelengths of light, reducing visibility and giving the sky a yellowish or bluish appearance.
In aviation, haze significantly degrades air-to-ground visibility, obscuring runways, terrain, and horizon references. This can complicate visual approaches and landings, increasing operational risk and forcing crews to rely on stricter procedures.
Have you ever experienced flight delays or cancellations due to haze? Let us know in the comments!
