Haze May Disrupt Some AirAsia Flights in Borneo Region

AirAsia has issued a travel advisory warning that some flights serving parts of East Malaysia and West Kalimantan may face cancellations or delays as worsening haze reduces visibility and prompts emergency measures in Sarawak.

Travel advisory highlights visibility concerns

According to recent advisories reported by regional media, AirAsia has cautioned that selected services could be disrupted where haze has pushed visibility below safe operating thresholds across parts of East Malaysia and neighboring West Kalimantan. The airline has not published a route-by-route list, but publicly available information indicates that only a portion of its network in the affected areas is currently at risk of disruption.

The advisory, issued on 4 September, states that guests whose flights are affected will be contacted directly using the details in their booking. Coverage of the notice notes that the carrier is flagging reduced visibility as the primary operational concern in areas where smoke haze has thickened in recent days.

In parallel, recent airport updates from Kuching International Airport show how quickly conditions can shift. Local reporting from 2 September described two non-AirAsia flights cancelled and one AirAsia service on the Kuching–Pontianak route delayed when low visibility affected operations, underscoring that route-level impacts can change with short notice as haze intensifies or eases.

Despite the warning, the majority of flights in the region continue to operate as scheduled, with airlines and airports using standard weather-related procedures such as holding patterns, diversions, and schedule adjustments when conditions deteriorate around specific airports.

Emergency declared in Sarawak’s Serian Division

The current travel advisory is closely linked to a broader deterioration in air quality in northern Borneo. Malaysian national news outlets report that an emergency has been declared for Sarawak’s Serian Division after haze pushed local air pollution readings into ranges considered hazardous to public health and safety.

Publicly available statements from federal and state offices indicate that the emergency declaration followed an assessment of air quality data and regional forecasts, with concern focused on prolonged exposure to particulate pollution, especially for vulnerable groups. While the measures are framed primarily as a public health response, they also have knock-on effects for transport operators, including airlines serving airports in Sarawak.

For travelers, the emergency status signals that conditions can remain unstable even if skies appear to clear temporarily at certain times of day. Poor visibility around airports can arise rapidly as wind direction and intensity shift, especially near active fire or smoke sources, creating a degree of operational uncertainty for flights in and out of affected locations.

Authorities in neighboring Indonesian regions, including West Kalimantan, are also monitoring haze levels, and cross-border smoke movement is contributing to the patchy distribution of visibility reductions over Borneo and adjacent seas. This regional pattern increases the likelihood of route-specific disruptions rather than a uniform impact on all services.

What AirAsia guests are being advised to do

Coverage of the travel advisory notes that AirAsia is directing guests to monitor their flight status through its digital channels. Travelers are being encouraged to check real-time updates via the airline’s MOVE app or its dedicated online flight status page before leaving for the airport, and to keep their contact details current in case of short-notice schedule changes.

Guests booked on services touching East Malaysia or West Kalimantan in the coming days are being urged by public reports to pay particular attention to notifications and to allow extra time for airport transfers, as heavy haze can also slow ground transportation and reduce road visibility. Those connecting onward to international flights or time-sensitive events may wish to build in wider buffers between flights where possible.

Standard disruption options such as rebooking, credit accounts or refunds are typically offered by airlines during weather-related events, subject to fare rules and specific advisories. Reports on the current situation indicate that affected passengers will receive details of any available options directly from the carrier once a flight is re-timed or cancelled.

Travelers who have booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies are generally advised to monitor both the airline’s status tools and messages from their booking intermediaries, as processing changes can sometimes require coordination between systems.

Regional airline operations and broader haze outlook

While AirAsia has warned that some services may not operate as planned, reports on the same advisory note that other carriers in Malaysia, including Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia, are currently maintaining their flight schedules despite the haze. This difference reflects variations in network structure, fleet deployment, and timing of services around the locations most affected by visibility issues.

Operational data from airports such as Kuching indicate that, so far, overall flight volumes remain largely intact, even as specific rotations are delayed, rescheduled, or occasionally cancelled. Airlines across the region are accustomed to periodic haze seasons and typically integrate related risks into their contingency planning, including the use of alternate routings and stricter visibility thresholds at certain airports.

Forecasts referenced in local coverage suggest that haze conditions over Borneo can be influenced by regional weather systems, including rainfall patterns and wind shifts associated with the inter-monsoon period. A sustained improvement in air quality would likely depend on both meteorological changes and progress in controlling underlying fire sources in affected forest and peatland areas.

For now, travelers planning trips to or within Borneo are being encouraged by travel reports to remain flexible, to prioritize health considerations such as limiting prolonged outdoor exposure during high pollution periods, and to stay informed through official air quality indices and airline communications as the situation evolves.

Key tips for travelers heading to affected areas

For international visitors and domestic travelers alike, recent guidance compiled by regional media highlights several practical steps to reduce disruption risk. Booking flights with some schedule flexibility, such as avoiding very tight same-day connections, can help absorb short delays or minor re-timings linked to haze-related air traffic control measures.

Travelers may also benefit from monitoring local air quality data for their intended destination in East Malaysia or West Kalimantan in the days before departure. Higher and sustained pollution readings increase the likelihood of operational restrictions at nearby airports, especially during early morning and late evening periods when haze can be more persistent near the surface.

Travel insurance products that cover weather-related disruptions can offer an added layer of protection, though travelers are advised to verify policy terms related to air pollution and visibility prior to purchase. Ensuring that airlines and booking platforms have up-to-date email and mobile contact details remains one of the simplest ways to receive rapid, route-specific updates if schedules change.

Given the dynamic nature of haze events in Southeast Asia, prospective visitors to destinations in Sarawak, Sabah and West Kalimantan over the coming weeks are likely to face a mixed picture: many flights still operating normally, interspersed with occasional delays or cancellations on routes located closest to the heaviest smoke. Staying informed and allowing for some flexibility in travel plans will be central to navigating the current conditions.

Bernama: Some AirAsia Flights May Face Cancellations Due To Haze

The Borneo Post: Some AirAsia flights may face cancellations due to haze

The Star: Some AirAsia flights may face cancellations due to haze