SMB Airport prepares flight disruption mitigation due to haze
Palembang (ANTARA) - Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II Airport in Palembang is preparing several mitigation steps to anticipate potential flight disruptions caused by haze from forest and land fires (karhutla) in South Sumatra.
The Acting General Manager of SMB II Palembang Airport, Tubagus Gemal Syahir, stated in Palembang on Tuesday that visibility is one of the primary factors monitored to ensure flight safety.
“Visibility conditions serve as the basis for both the airport and airlines in determining whether aircraft can perform take-offs or landings,” he said.
In general, flight operations at SMB II Airport are still running smoothly. However, there were two flights in August 2026 that experienced delays because visibility fell below the minimum required threshold.
On 23 August 2026, a Garuda Indonesia flight on the Palembang-Jakarta route experienced a departure delay because visibility was only 500 metres, while the established minimum is 700 metres.
Subsequently, on 29 August 20lag 2026, a Citilink flight on the Jakarta-Palembang route was delayed because visibility was approximately 1,200 metres, whereas the minimum requirement for landing is 1,700 metres.
Both incidents only resulted in delays and did not lead to flight cancellations. The impact on passenger numbers also remains within normal levels.
In addition to facing potential flight disruptions from the Palembang region, SMB II Airport also serves as an alternative airport for flights experiencing disruptions due to haze in other areas.
To anticipate worse conditions, the airport authorities are strengthening coordination with various stakeholders and conducting real-time monitoring of weather conditions and air quality.
“We are coordinating intensively by monitoring weather and air quality in real-time with relevant stakeholders, including airlines, RNAV, BMKG, and other parties,” he said.
He added that the airport has developed several mitigation scenarios in the event that weather and visibility conditions make flight operations impossible.
If flights cannot be departed, he noted, passengers may experience delays or even potential cancellations. To anticipate such situations, the airport has coordinated with the relevant airlines regarding mechanisms for rescheduling or ticket refunds.
“For passengers, we have also coordinated with airlines to collaborate and ensure whether passengers will be rescheduled or provided with ticket refunds,” he explained.
Furthermore, approximately six flights from Jambi Airport have been diverted to Palembang due to haze conditions. To date, SMB II Airport has not received any complaints from passengers regarding flight disruptions caused by the haze.
Gemal urged prospective passengers to monitor flight information regularly through their respective airlines and to arrive at the airport earlier to anticipate potential schedule changes.
“Always monitor information regularly directly from the airlines. Secondly, arrive at the airport earlier,” he said.