Smoke haze across Indonesia’s Papua highlands has disrupted fuel deliveries, forcing cargo flight operations to fall by more than half and affecting the transportation of essential supplies to remote mountainous communities.
Fuel deliveries to Jayawijaya Regency, including Wamena, normally rely on four cargo flights daily. However, reduced visibility caused by smoke haze has cut the frequency to just one or two flights per day, representing a decline of 50% to 75%.
The disruption has affected fuel distribution to several areas, including Jayawijaya, Nduga and the Bintang Mountains. These remote locations depend heavily on air transport for fuel and other essential supplies because alternative transport links are limited.
Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Papua Maluku, the fuel distribution operator, said it was monitoring stock levels and coordinating with Trigana Air and airport authorities to adjust delivery schedules according to visibility and flight safety conditions.
Despite the logistical challenges, Pertamina confirmed that fuel stocks in Wamena remained adequate. As of October 16, available supplies included 15,000 litres of Pertalite, 2,500 litres of Pertamax, 110,000 litres of diesel and 22,000 litres of Dexlite.
The haze has also disrupted wider aviation operations in Papua. On October 16, a total of 19 passenger and cargo flights to Wamena and Oksibil were cancelled from Sentani Airport because visibility at destination airports did not meet operational safety requirements.
Authorities and airlines continue to monitor conditions and coordinate flight schedules. The disruptions highlight the vulnerability of remote regions that rely on air cargo for essential commodities, particularly when poor visibility restricts aviation operations.
Fuel deliveries are expected to recover as visibility improves and safe flight operations can resume.