{News} 080808 Haze disrupts air traffic in Indonesian province, says official

Haze disrupts air traffic in Indonesian province, says official

8 Aug 2008, AFP
JAKARTA (AFP) — Thick haze from forest fires shrouded the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan Friday and disrupted air traffic, an airport official said.

"Two planes from Jakarta to Pontianak airport were delayed this morning due to the thick haze," Pontianak airport operational chief Edi Widodo told AFP.

He said the haze -- a recurring problem of the dry season which also affects neighbouring countries -- had hampered visibility since Thursday morning.

"It has happened since yesterday but the most significant disruption was this morning when it reached only 500 metres (yards)," he said.

The number of forest fires on Indonesian Borneo has soared over the past three days due to land clearing, raising concerns of foul air over Malaysia and Singapore.

The dry season from June to the end of September is the period of highest risk for the haze, which contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hFZL8mhtsfC4x6n1QI-OlfZ8K0eA

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