Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, August 21, 2026 at 05:54 AM

Wildfires smoke delays 21 flights at Supadio Airport

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Rendra O, Rahmad Nasution

Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Smoke from forest and land fires has disrupted operations at Supadio Airport in Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan Province, with 21 morning flights delayed since Tuesday (August 18), the airport operator said here on Friday.

"Delays occurred because morning visibility fell below 1,000 meters. Since August 18, 21 morning flights have been affected," Head of Communications and CSR of Supadio Airport, M. Joko Wahyudi, said.

At least six flights scheduled Friday to Jakarta, Surabaya, and Ketapang were delayed.

Visibility between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time has ranged from 400 to 800 meters in recent days because of smoke. Aircraft require minimum visibility for landing, so the conditions have disrupted flight operations, Wahyudi said.

Of the 21 affected flights, most were departures and about three to four flights were affected during landing, he added.

"Delays lasted about one to two hours. Departures were more affected, while about three or four landing flights were affected," Wahyudi said.

The visibility has deteriorated over the past three days, particularly in the morning, requiring airport officials to monitor conditions before allowing flights to operate.

"Visibility this morning was particularly poor, at 400 to 800 meters, below 1,000 meters," he said.

Supadio Airport is coordinating with Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and local authorities in Kubu Raya District to monitor the smoke and visibility.

Wahyudi urged all passengers with morning flights to regularly check their flight status with the respective airlines because the visibility could change quickly.

"We urge all passengers scheduled to depart in the morning to regularly check their flight status with their respective airlines," Wahyudi said.

Flight operations will continue to prioritise safety, taking into account visibility and weather conditions around Supadio Airport.

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