Severe weather across Indonesia has disrupted domestic air travel, with Batik Air canceling four flights and delays impacting nearly 39% of its regular services. The major disruptions have left passengers stranded at key airport hubs including Juanda International (Surabaya), Sultan Hasanuddin (Makassar), Halim Perdanakusuma (Jakarta), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta), and Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II (Palembang).
Affected Flights & Scope of Disruption
Severe weather conditions—marked by heavy rainfall, thick fog, and poor visibility—have resulted in widespread delays and cancellations. Among the canceled flights were:
- BTK6235: Bubung (LUW) → Sultan Hasanuddin (UPG), scheduled 3:15 PM WITA
- BTK7059: Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP) → Palembang (PLM), scheduled 4:45 PM WIB
- BTK7058: Palembang (PLM) → Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP), scheduled 6:35 PM WIB
- Additional disruptions on Sunday impacting flights between Jakarta (Soekarno–Hatta) and Juanda (Surabaya) such as BTK6572, BTK6573, and BTK6578.
These cancellations affected only about 1% of total operations, but 126 flights—nearly 39% of services—were delayed, causing widespread travel disruption. The hardest-hit routes include those connecting Jakarta with Surabaya, Makassar, and Palembang, impacting both leisure and business travelers.
Weather Woes Across Indonesian Skies
Indonesia’s rainy season, although typically between November and March, sometimes brings unexpected heavy storms in August. Recent conditions have included intense fog and torrential rains causing runway hazards and low visibility. These atmospheric challenges forced Batik Air and airport authorities to delay or cancel takeoffs and landings, prioritizing safety above all.
Airport & Traveler Impacts
Passengers found themselves waiting in crowded terminals, with many fearing disruptions to hotel check-outs, business meetings, and onward travel. Notably:
- Surabaya, a gateway to East Java’s business and tourist destinations
- Makassar, a growing commercial and cultural hub in Sulawesi
- Jakarta’s Halim and Soekarno–Hatta airports, both critical for domestic and international travel
- Palembang, a historic city with steadily rising travel demand
These interruptions forced travelers to rebook flights, seek accommodation, and navigate rushed customer support amid rising frustration over uncertain schedules.
Batik Air’s Response
Batik Air officially expressed regret for the inconvenience, reaffirming that passenger safety remains their top concern. The airline is actively:
- Rebooking affected passengers on alternate flights
- Offering meal vouchers, hotel stays, and other accommodations for those stranded overnight
- Deploying customer support teams across affected airports to assist with follow-ups and updates
- Monitoring weather and coordinating with airport authorities to resume normal operations quickly
These mitigation measures are designed to ease passenger stress and streamline the recovery process.
Context: Extreme Weather Pressure on Aviation
This disruption follows previous weather-related incidents. On June 28, a close-call incident at Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta Airport saw a Batik Air Boeing 737 tilt dangerously in crosswinds before landing safely—underscoring the increasing challenges drivers by extreme weather.
These recurring episodes highlight how climate and weather hazards are amplifying operational risk across Indonesia’s aviation sector.
Key Takeaways for Travellers
| Advice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Monitor official flight alerts | Stay informed via airline and apps |
| Allow more travel time | Expect delays at boarding and check-in |
| Stay in touch with airline | Rebooking and support may be ongoing |
| Be prepared for weather delays | Pack essentials for unexpected overnight stays |
Conclusion
Weather-related disruptions have hit Batik Air’s operations hard, but the airline is acting responsibly. Cancellations and delays have affected thousands of passengers across Indonesia’s major airports. With safety as the priority, Batik Air is focused on rebooking travelers, offering accommodations, and restoring schedule normalcy as quickly as conditions allow.
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