Haze at Palembang’s SMB II Airport Affects 15 Flights

The operator of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II (SMB II) International Airport in Palembang, South Sumatra, recorded 15 flights affected by smoke haze, which reduced visibility to just 500 metres.

Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, the airport’s general manager, said in Palembang on Saturday (10 October) that the latest update, at 12.30pm Western Indonesia Time (WIB), put visibility at 500 metres.

Airport operational data showed that the affected flights comprised seven departures and eight arrivals.

The affected departures were JT246 to Batam, TR255 to Singapore, IU302 to Pangkalpinang, SI7296 to Pekanbaru, QG987 to Jakarta, IU964 to Kualanamu and AK461 to Kuala Lumpur.

The eight affected arrivals were TR255 from Singapore, SI7295 from Pekanbaru, QG9962 from Jakarta, IU933 from Yogyakarta, AK462 from Kuala Lumpur, QG980 from Jakarta, GA102 from Jakarta and GA104 from Jakarta.

The airport is continuing to monitor visibility to support flight safety and the smooth running of operations amid the haze.

“We are continuing to monitor weather conditions and visibility around the airport, and to coordinate with the relevant parties to ensure flight safety and smooth operations,” he said.

Passengers were advised to check the latest schedule and flight-status information with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport.