Haze Crisis: Firefly Cancels Singapore Flights Amidst Severe Indonesian Wildfires

Firefly, a Malaysian low-cost airline, has extended the suspension of its flights connecting Kuala Lumpur and Singapore through Wednesday. This decision comes as persistent smoke from wildfires in Indonesia continues to blanket the region. The announcement coincided with IQAir, an air quality monitor, ranking Singapore and Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, as the two most polluted cities globally on Tuesday.

In a statement, Firefly cited "weather and haze conditions" as the reason for cancelling flights between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) near Kuala Lumpur and Seletar Airport in Singapore (XSP) until Wednesday, describing the move as a "proactive safety measure." The fires, predominantly on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, are reported to be the most intense in 11 years, exacerbated by an El Nino weather pattern expected to be among the strongest in four decades.

According to IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company, the Air Quality Index in Singapore reached 199 on Tuesday, while Kuala Lumpur recorded 183. Readings above 150 are generally considered unhealthy, and those exceeding 300 are classified as hazardous.

Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group which also includes Malaysia Airlines, had initially announced flight cancellations on October 10, attributing them to "low visibility" caused by the haze. Affected passengers are being rebooked on Malaysia Airlines flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Singapore’s Changi Airport, contingent on seat availability.

The Singapore government has reinstated subsidized care for haze-related illnesses, a measure last implemented in 2015 when similar smoke from Indonesian fires affected the region for weeks. In Malaysia, schools in most states reopened on Tuesday following a slight improvement in air quality, though they remain closed in three states, one federal territory, and several districts.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, stated on Monday that he would advocate for stronger regional mechanisms during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' meeting next month. "We already have an ASEAN mechanism for natural disasters, but haze is not included or classified as a natural disaster," he informed reporters in Sepang, as reported by Bernama, Malaysia's state news agency. The Philippines, holding the ASEAN chairmanship this year, confirmed that the issue would be addressed at the November meeting, which will precede the 49th ASEAN summit in Manila.

Minister Mohamad acknowledged Indonesia's deployment of approximately 60,000 personnel to combat the fires but noted that thick smoke had grounded 34 aircraft, including planes and helicopters. He also highlighted that remote terrain and limited water supplies have hampered firefighting efforts, and cloud seeding is not feasible without suitable rain clouds. While recognizing Indonesia's efforts, he urged for more effective action due to the impact on Malaysian communities.