Airport reopens as haze clears

JAMBI, Jambi: Flight services in and out of Jambi have resumed after a one month hiatus caused by a thick haze from forest fires.

Head of the local office of state carrier Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Max Mandagi, said the first flight to arrive at the city yesterday carried only five passengers from Jakarta. The first flight to leave, bound for Jakarta, had 24 passengers.

"Not many people are aware that the haze has cleared and flights are resuming," he told Antara news agency.

The haze, which has covered the city for the past month, has been clearing fast this week thanks due to the rain which has fallen for three consecutive days.

It has not yet totally disappeared but horizontal visibility has reached 2,000 meters and vertical visibility 700 feet, which are sufficient to allow planes to land and take off, he said. (emb)