Haze from forest and land fires in South Sumatra forced significant flight disruptions at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II International Airport in Palembang on Thursday. According to Tempo.co, poor visibility caused by thick smoke dropped below minimum safety standards, leading to the delay, diversion, or cancellation of 30 flights.
Flight Disruptions at Palembang Airport
As of 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, visibility conditions at the airport fell below the threshold required for safe aircraft operations. Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, General Manager of SMB II International Airport, confirmed that the airport implemented operational adjustments to prioritize the safety of passengers and flight crews.
The disruptions affected 17 departing flights and 13 arriving flights. Outbound flights delayed or impacted included multiple Indonesia AirAsia services to Jakarta, Medan, and Yogyakarta, as well as Garuda Indonesia and Citilink routes to Jakarta and Pangkalpinang. Incoming flights faced similar challenges, with several aircraft unable to land at the facility.
Diverted and Returned Aircraft
Several inbound flights were forced to change plans due to the low visibility. Indonesia AirAsia flight IU933 from Yogyakarta was diverted to another airport, as were Citilink flight QG980 and Garuda Indonesia flight GA955, the latter of which was arriving from Jeddah.
Other flights executed a "return to base" (RTB) procedure, including Garuda Indonesia flights GA102 and GA108, Citilink flights QG9962, QG984, and Indonesia AirAsia flights IU922 and IU878. AirAsia flight AK462 from Kuala Lumpur was also forced to return to its point of origin. Airport management stated they are continuously monitoring the haze conditions and will maintain flight adjustments until visibility improves to meet aviation safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did flights need to return to their origin or divert?
Aviation safety regulations require a specific minimum visibility range for pilots to safely land or take off. When smoke from land fires obscures the runway, pilots cannot maintain the visual contact necessary for these maneuvers, forcing them to redirect to airports with clearer conditions.
Are these delays still ongoing?
Airport officials are monitoring the situation in real-time. Flight operations are expected to resume their normal schedules only once visibility levels reach the safety thresholds mandated by aviation authorities.
Is this an isolated incident for the region?
Haze-related disruptions are a recurring concern in parts of Indonesia during the dry season. Similar visibility issues were recently reported at the airport in Sorong, Papua, where thick smoke also necessitated flight diversions and departures delays.
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