Firefly extends Subang–Seletar flight cancellations to 14 October as haze blankets region

Centre · 1Malaysian low-cost carrier Firefly cancelled all scheduled flights between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and Singapore's Seletar Airport through Monday 12 October, calling it a "proactive measure" because of haze. 1 Centre · 1The first cancellations affected all six daily return flights, FY3122 to FY3133, and passengers were being contacted and reallocated to Malaysia Airlines flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Changi Airport, subject to seat availability; those who declined were eligible for a full refund within 30 working days. 1 Mixed · 2In a statement late on Monday, Firefly extended the suspension until Wednesday 14 October, again describing it as a "proactive safety measure" and saying it was monitoring the "evolving weather situation". 2 3

Mixed · 2Accounts differ on when the cancellations began: CNA's later report says the suspensions had run since Saturday, and Al Jazeera says Firefly first announced them on 10 October, citing "low visibility", while CNA's first report was published on Sunday 11 October. 2 3 Mixed · 2The haze comes from fires on Indonesia's Sumatra and Borneo islands, intensified by El Nino, which is expected to be among the strongest in four decades; Al Jazeera calls the fires Indonesia's most intense in 11 years. 2 3 Mixed · 2On Tuesday 13 October, IQAir ranked Singapore among the world's two most polluted major cities; Al Jazeera reports Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were the top two, with AQI readings of 199 and 183, while CNA cites an AQI of 193 for Singapore. 3 2

Mixed · 2Singapore reactivated subsidised care for haze-related illness for the first time since 2015, while in Malaysia schools reopened in most states on Tuesday but stayed closed in three states, one federal territory and several districts. 2 3 Centre · 1The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group said 16 flights were diverted from Seletar between 5 and 11 October as a precaution in low visibility, that some airlines had adjusted or cancelled flights, and that Changi and Seletar remained operational. 4 Centre · 1The authorities said further measures would follow if the haze worsens, including daytime airfield lighting and greater spacing between landings and take-offs, along with N95 mask stocks and mask-wearing for outdoor workers if the PSI exceeds 200. 4

Left · 1Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said he would press for stronger regional mechanisms at the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting next month, noting haze is not classed as a natural disaster; the Philippines, this year's chair, confirmed it is on the agenda. 3 Left · 1Mohamad said Indonesia had deployed about 60,000 personnel against the fires but thick smoke had grounded 34 aircraft; he acknowledged Indonesia's efforts but urged more effective action. 3