Palu, Central Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Forest fire haze and strong tailwinds forced airlines to cancel several flights to and from Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, airport officials at Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri Airport said.
"Batik Air flights ID 6554, Makassar-Palu (UPG-PALU) and ID 6555, Palu-Makassar, were canceled. The airline made the cancellation decision after waiting and observing the weather conditions, which have not improved," airport Head of Engineering and Operations Winariyanto said in Palu on Saturday.
He said the cancellations were necessary to maintain flight safety amid the adverse weather.
Strong winds from the gulf also disrupted Lion Air flight JT 780.
The aircraft made a go-around, then returned to its origin in Makassar at 7:01 p.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA) on Friday after a tailwind gust reached 20 knots.
Winariyanto said operations at the airport are frequently disrupted by two factors: haze cutting visibility below the minimum required for landing, and tailwinds during landing.
"Currently, visibility at Mutiara Airport is fluctuating, ranging from three to five kilometers," he said.
Wings Air's Palu-Tolitoli flight was also canceled after haze cut visibility at Tolitoli Airport below safe operating limits.
"We urge air passengers to understand that weather conditions may disrupt flights and to regularly check schedule updates with their respective airlines," he said.
Satellite data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG) Lore Lindu Bariri Global Atmospheric Monitoring Station showed PM2.5 levels in Palu reached 251 micrograms, a hazardous level, due to the haze.
PM1 levels reached 245 micrograms and PM10 levels reached 249 micrograms, both categorized as unhealthy.
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Translator: Mohamad Ridwan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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