KUCHING: A total of 26 flights departing and arriving at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) had been cancelled as the runway was closed for two hours until 9am today.
KIA Senior Manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim said the closure had affected more than 3,000 passengers and the departure hall was crowded with those stranded at the airport for their next flight.
"The situation in the morning was badly affected by haze with visibility of 350m, it's very risky for aircraft to take off or land, hence, the DCA has ordered to close the runway at about 7am," he said when contacted.
Due to the closure, a total of eight flights were delayed later at 11am, involving 1,000 passengers.
Among those stranded at the airport were a group of 20 students from SMK St. Teresa, which was heading to Kuala Lumpur for a Petronas event as well as a group of primary pupils from Penang who were scheduled to leave the state capital at 9.35am.
It was learnt that the group of 29 pupils and three teachers were in the city for a study trip over the weekend. They are expected to be taking another flight available in the evening.