Indonesia: Haze in Central Kalimantan

Haze disturbs air traffic at Sampit's airport
Antara 28 Jul 11;

Sampit, Central Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Haze from forest and plantation fires has forced the authorities of Haji Asan airport here, East Kotawaringin District, to delay a flight on Thursday morning.

"The flight schedule at Haji Asan Airport in Sampit currently begin to be disturbed by haze especially in the morning," Head of the airport`s Security and Safety Section Harianto said here on Thursday.

The visibility of in the airport`s runaway in the morning at 100-150 meters, while the ideal visibility for aviation is 500-1,000 meters minimally.

The arrival of Merpati Nusantara Airlines (PT MNA) with flight no. MA 60 was delayed from 7.30 am WIB to 8 am WIB, pending for the haze to go away.

Two weeks ago, several flights were also delayed due to the haze covering the airport in Sampit.

"Due to the haze, plane arrivals and departures are often late," Head of Haji Asan Airport Maruli Tua Edison Saragih said here on July 8.

The runway was often covered by haze especially in the morning, he said.

Some flights were forced to delay their landing pending the haze covering the runway to disperse, he added.

Several flights had to cycle in the air for three times before landing due to the limited visibility.

The airport needed an instrument landing system to help guide pilots wanting to land their planes, he said.

"We have proposed to have the instrument to the central office, but until now it has not been realized. The instrument is badly needed for flight safety," he said.

He hoped that the haze would not get ticker in the future because it could endanger the flights.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH