August 21, 2026 | 11:26 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Smoke from forest and land fires has disrupted operations at the airport in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, said Head of Communication and CSR at Supadio Airport Joko Wahyudi. A total of 21 flights were delayed between August 18 and 21, 2026.
"The delays occurred because morning visibility fell below 1,000 meters. Delays have been happening since August 18, especially for morning flights. Up to now, 21 morning flights have been affected by delays," Joko said, as quoted from Antara on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Joko noted that at least six flights bound for Jakarta, Surabaya, and Ketapang were postponed on Friday morning. He explained that morning visibility between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) over the past few days hovered between 400 and 800 meters due to dense haze. However, he pointed out that aircraft require a minimum visibility threshold to land safely, meaning the haze directly impacts flight operations.
Of the 21 affected flights, the vast majority were departures. Meanwhile, the number of impacted arrival flights was at around three to four. "The delays range from one to two hours. Departures have been more affected, while landings account for about three to four flights," Joko said.
Joko mentioned that visibility over the past three days has steadily deteriorated, particularly in the morning. This situation forces airport authorities to closely assess conditions before permitting flight operations. "However, conditions this morning were very limited, ranging between 400 and 800 meters. So, it is well below 1,000 meters," he added.
To ensure aviation safety, Supadio Airport continues to coordinate with the BMKG, BNPB, and various agencies in Kubu Raya Regency to monitor evolving smoke density and visibility.
Joko urged passengers scheduled for morning departures to routinely verify their flight status with their respective airlines, as visibility conditions can shift at any time. "We can only advise all passengers with morning departures to periodically check their flight status through their respective airlines," he said.
He emphasized that operational decisions consistently prioritize safety by factoring in visibility conditions and weather developments surrounding Supadio Airport.
Read: Where Is South Kalimantan's Thick Haze Coming From?
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