Haze at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II International Airport in Palembang caused visibility to drop below minimum flight standards on Thursday, leading to adjustments for 30 flights. As of 3:00 p.m. local time, haze-induced conditions dropped below minimum safety standards, compelling airport authorities to ground or divert 30 scheduled flights.
Operational Adjustments at SMB II Airport
Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, General Manager of SMB II International Airport, confirmed that the decision to delay departures and divert arrivals was a mandatory safety protocol. The departure delay caused by limited visibility due to the haze was implemented to ensure the safety of both passengers and the flight crew,
Shahab stated, as reported by Tempo.co.
The operational impact was split nearly evenly between departing and arriving traffic. Seventeen outbound flights were held on the tarmac, while 13 inbound flights were forced to either divert to alternative airports or execute a “return to base” (RTB) maneuver. This disruption rippled through major domestic routes, primarily affecting connections to Jakarta, as well as regional links to Yogyakarta, Medan, Pangkalpinang, and international service to Kuala Lumpur.
Indonesia AirAsia and Garuda Indonesia Flights Face Delays
The list of affected departures includes multiple Indonesia AirAsia and Garuda Indonesia services. Specifically, Indonesia AirAsia flights IU921, IU302, IU964, IU923, IU879, IU935, and QG987 were delayed, alongside Garuda Indonesia flights GA101, GA107, GA1091, GA109, and GA113. Other carriers, including Citilink (QG981, QG985) and Batik Air (ID6871), also experienced significant ground delays.
Arrivals faced more complex logistics. Indonesia AirAsia flight IU933 from Yogyakarta was diverted, while Garuda Indonesia flights GA102 and Citilink flight QG9962 were forced to return to their origin in Jakarta. Further complications arose as Citilink flight QG980 and Garuda Indonesia flight GA955 from Jeddah were diverted. Indonesia AirAsia flight IU922 and AirAsia flight AK462 from Kuala Lumpur also returned to base.
Poor Visibility Delays Flight Operations in Palembang
Airport management continues to monitor atmospheric conditions in real-time. Flight operations are expected to resume their normal schedules only once visibility improves to meet the mandatory aviation safety standards.
This disruption in Palembang mirrors similar weather-related challenges recently reported in other parts of the archipelago, including flight cancellations in Sorong, Papua, where thick haze has similarly compromised regional connectivity.
