Samarinda Flight Services Stable Despite Forest Fire Threat

The Class I Airport Operator Unit (UPBU) of Aji Pangeran Tumenggung (APT) Pranoto Samarinda has confirmed that flight service operations in the area are still running normally and safely from the impact of smoke haze caused by forest and land fires (karhutla) on Kalimantan Island.

Head of UPBU Class I APT Pranoto, I Kadek Yuli Sastrawan, stated that as of Saturday (22/8), visibility in the airport area still met flight safety standards. He expressed hope that this condition would be maintained so as not to disrupt public mobility.

“So far there has been none, and hopefully there will be no impact on flight operations or visibility at the airport,” said I Kadek Yuli Sastrawan, as quoted from Antara, Saturday (22/8).

Based on airport authority data, daily passenger movement remains relatively stable. Throughout the period from 1 to 21 August 2026, APT Pranoto Airport served a total of 40,336 passengers. This figure consisted of 19,897 arriving passengers and 20,439 departing passengers.

As a precautionary measure, airport management has prepared supporting facilities in the terminal area, including the installation of air conditioning and air purifiers. In addition, the Health Quarantine Office has also been placed on standby to monitor the health condition of passengers.

“If later it is indeed affected by smoke, then all passengers will be advised to wear masks,” Kadek added.

Airport authorities continue to strengthen coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), AirNav, the police, and airlines. This step is being taken to monitor weather developments and hotspots in real time.

In addition to internal preparedness, communities around the airport are strongly urged not to burn waste or land. Authorities reminded that actions that disrupt flight safety can be subject to criminal sanctions and heavy fines in accordance with Law Number 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation.