Flying kites near airports poses serious risks to flight safety, a concern that has materialised at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Soetta), Tangerang, Banten.
From 4 to 6 July 2025, kite activity near the airport led to significant disruption of aircraft operations, with 21 flights either delayed, diverted, or forced to cancel landing attempts.
According to AirNav Indonesia, several aircraft were unable to land safely due to the presence of kites on the final approach path. Some aircraft were redirected to other airports, while others were required to perform go-arounds. In more severe cases, landings were aborted entirely.
“Kites in the path of an aeroplane are very dangerous. Apart from disturbing visibility, these objects can be sucked into the engine and trigger an accident,” said Capt Avirianto Suratno, President Director of AirNav Indonesia.
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He added that the impact was not limited to safety concerns alone. The disruptions affected airline schedules, caused inconvenience to passengers, and led to financial losses for airline operators. Soekarno-Hatta, the busiest airport in Indonesia, faces substantial risk if such incidents are not swiftly addressed.
“Based on data collected, during 4–6 July 2025, kite-flying activities in the Soekarno-Hatta Airport area caused 21 aircraft to cancel flights and land at the airport,” Capt Avirianto explained, as quoted by detikNews.
Authorities Urge Public Awareness and Legal Compliance
AirNav Indonesia has issued a formal appeal to the public, especially residents living near airport zones, to cease flying kites in prohibited areas. The agency underscored that even small airborne objects such as kites could endanger aircraft engines and passenger lives.
“The reason our officers acted as they did is solely due to safety concerns, nothing else. Therefore, we strongly urge the public not to fly kites near airports. It is extremely dangerous and endangers both aircraft and human lives,” Avirianto added.
In response to the situation, AirNav is coordinating with various stakeholders, including the Region I Airport Authority, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, and others. Mitigation measures such as the Ground Delay Programme (GDP) and Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) are being implemented to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
“Once again, we call on everyone to please stop flying kites near airports for the sake of flight safety. Let’s work together to create a safe, unobstructed Indonesian sky for all aviation activities,” Avirianto concluded.
From a legal standpoint, the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation has reminded the public that kite-flying near airports is illegal. Under Article 421 of Law No. 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation, individuals found guilty of endangering flight operations may face criminal sanctions.
In a joint operation on Sunday, 6 July 2025, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police conducted patrols to deter kite activity in the area. The patrol, led by Police Supervisor Iptu Budi Prabowo and supported by around 15 personnel, included members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Airport Security (Avsec), and perimeter security officers.
The patrol route covered both the northern and southern perimeters of the airport and took place from 11:30 to 17:00 WIB. Authorities stated that such patrols will continue to be carried out to ensure the safety of airport operations.
