Tunggadewa Mattangkilang Jakarta Globe 11 Oct 14;
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Authorities closed down Balikpapan’s international airport for an hour on Saturday after visibility fell below the legal limit because of air pollution caused by forest fires. It was the first time the airport has been closed because of haze.
Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport airport was closed between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m, disrupting a number of flights in the East Kalimantan provincial capital.
“We had to close down the airport because of the haze, the visibility was less than a kilometer. The minimum visibility for aviation is 1.5 kilometers,” airport spokesman Awaluddin told the Jakarta Globe on Saturday.
Awaluddin said five flights were delayed and six flights were diverted to Hassanudin airport in Makassar.
“This is the first time we had to delay flights and divert planes since the haze first hit Balikpapan,” he said.
Acrid air pollution has encircled Balikpapan for days due to forest fires and hot spots in Bornean forests. Many local residents have taken to wearing face masks to try and minimize the risk of respiratory problems.
The Balikpapan local health agency reported that more than 2000 people have been diagnosed with upper-respiratory tract infections due to the haze. By comparison 1,300 people were recorded with the same diagnosis in September.
Sepinggan airport has since resumed normal operation.
