Singapore-Pekanbaru Flights Disturbed By Thick Smokes

Pekanbaru, Riau, Feb 24 (Antara) - International flights from Singapore and Malaysia to Pekanbaru were delayed due to smoke in the Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport atmosphere, in Riau Province, stated the airport authority. "The airport opened operations at 5 a.m. local time. There were international arrivals from Singapore and Malaysia that were delayed due to the low visibility in the atmosphere of only 500 meters," Duty Manager of Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport Baiquni stated here on Monday. Baiquni added that the smoke disturbed the visibility at 6 a.m. until 8 a.m. The condition forced some of the airlines to delay their flights. "The airlines have the authority to delay flights for passenger safety and comfort," he explained. Baiquni pointed out that Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Tigerair Mandala and Citilink have delayed their international flights. In addition to international flights, some domestic flights have also been delayed, especially in the Batam-Pekanbaru, Bandung-Pekanbaru, Medan-Pekanbaru, and the most, Jakarta-Pekanbaru routes. Totally, according to Baiquni, 12 arrivals were delayed due to the thick smoke. "However, some domestic departures were as scheduled," he explained. This is not the first time that forest fires causing thick smoke, have disturbed flight schedules in the Sultan Syarif Kasim International Airport. Two weeks earlier, dozens of flights were delayed due to the thick smoke that reduced visibility to only 300 meters.