Melalan Airport: Flight Cancellations Reflect 'Safety First' Commitment

The Head of the Melalan Airport Organising Unit (UPBU) in West Kutai Regency, Bernard Repelita Purba, has emphasised that the cancellation of several flights due to haze from forest and land fires (karhutla) is a manifestation of the commitment to the ‘safety first’ principle.

Speaking in Samarinda on Wednesday, Bernard stated that the dense haze has forced a total halt to airport operations because visibility has deteriorated to below one kilometre. This unpredictable weather condition has compelled airport authorities to cancel flights to and from Melalan Airport for the period of 1 to 5 September 2026.

“This suspension measure is taken purely for flight safety. Airlines such as Wings Air and Smart Aviation, which serve pioneer routes, have announced cancellations until next week if rain does not fall,