Indonesia wildfire smoke disrupts 409 Kalimantan flights as visibility drops to 50 meters

Indonesia wildfire smoke disrupts 409 Kalimantan flights as visibility drops to 50 meters

Indonesia's Transportation Ministry reported that wildfire smoke has severely disrupted flight operations across Kalimantan, affecting 409 flights from September 14-20, 2026, as the country grapples with its worst fire season in over a decade.

Director General of Air Transportation Lukman F. Laisa emphasized that flight safety remains the government's paramount concern as smoke from forest and peatland fires reduces visibility around airports throughout the region.

Of the 409 affected flights within the jurisdiction of the Airport Authority Office Region VII in Balikpapan, 141 were delayed, 254 were canceled or postponed, and 14 were diverted. This marks a significant increase from the 159 affected flights recorded during September 7-13, partly attributed to deteriorating visibility from wildfire smoke.

More than 12.5 million people across seven Indonesian provinces have been exposed to haze from the fires as of mid-September 2026. The Health Ministry reported that respiratory infections linked to the fires rose to 113,336 cases as of September 9, roughly doubling from the 50,891 cases recorded on September 1.

Severe visibility conditions ground aircraft

Visibility at several major airports plummeted to as low as 50 meters, including at Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan and the province's largest and busiest aviation hub. Other affected airports included Iskandar, Haji Muhammad Sidik, and A.P.T. Pranoto.

Central Kalimantan recorded the largest operational impact, with 201 affected flights comprising 79 delays, 121 cancellations or postponements, and one diversion. East Kalimantan saw 138 affected flights, including 48 delays, 77 cancellations or postponements, and 13 diversions. North Kalimantan recorded 70 affected flights, with 14 delays and 56 cancellations or postponements.

The severity of the smoke impact stems from Indonesia's unique geography. The country holds approximately 36 percent of the world's tropical peatlands, which become highly flammable when dried by drought and produce about three times more fine particulate matter than conventional fires when burned.

Super El Niño intensifies crisis

A Super El Niño weather pattern in 2026 has intensified drought conditions across Indonesia, making the fires significantly harder to contain and contributing to the worst fire season in more than a decade. Indonesia's fire season typically peaks from July to October, with September and October being the most severe months, particularly during El Niño years when rainfall nearly vanishes.

The transboundary haze has affected neighboring countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. ASEAN activated its highest Level 3 transboundary haze alert on August 26, 2026, in response to the regional crisis.

Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of setting fires by early September 2026, as the practice of burning land for agricultural clearing remains illegal despite being widespread.

Government coordinates firefighting efforts

Laisa stated that under current conditions, safety remains the primary consideration in every operational flight decision. The Directorate General of Air Transportation continues monitoring and coordinating with aviation stakeholders on the fires' impact on flight safety and operations.

The government is coordinating firefighting operations with relevant agencies, including aerial patrols and water bombing missions. These operations are coordinated with airport operators and air navigation service providers to help maintain flight safety standards.

Airlines are required to provide services and fulfill passenger rights under prevailing laws and regulations when flights are delayed or canceled. Passenger rights may include compensation, rescheduling, or full ticket refunds, depending on applicable conditions and regulations.