Heavy Rain Forces Diversions, Delays for 109 Flights at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

January 13, 2026 at 12:51 PM•2 min read

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport operations were severely impacted Monday by heavy rain, delaying 109 flights and diverting 31 others, according to airport management.

Key Points

1109 flights were delayed and 31 flights were diverted at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Monday.
2AirNav Indonesia implemented go-around, holding, and diversion procedures in line with ICAO safety standards.
3The disruption occurred between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. WIB, with operations normalizing by 3:30 p.m.
4Access roads to the airport experienced flooding, though airside facilities remained operational.

Heavy rainfall severely impacted Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) operations on Monday. The adverse weather caused significant disruption at the major Indonesian hub. A total of 109 flights experienced a delay during the morning and early afternoon. The disruption window lasted from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

Airport General Manager Heru Karyadi confirmed the operational impact. He noted that seven flights had to perform a go-around maneuver before landing. Furthermore, 31 flights were diverted to alternative airports. These included airports in Yogyakarta, Palembang, and Singapore.

Operational Response and Safety

Air traffic management swiftly implemented safety protocols. AirNav Indonesia, the country's air navigation service provider, initiated go-around, holding, and divert procedures. These actions ensured flight safety remained the top priority. AirNav's Executive Vice President Hermana Soegijantoro stated the procedures align with national law. They also follow standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Pilots in Command hold the ultimate authority for safety decisions. This is a key principle in global aviation operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Indonesia mandates a safety-first approach during unpredictable weather.

AirNav temporarily restricted departures to ease airspace congestion. This allowed aircraft in holding patterns to land safely. Air traffic controllers managed a high volume of waiting aircraft. At one point, 30 to 35 aircraft were simultaneously holding for clearance.

Infrastructure and Passenger Impact

Airport management assured that airside facilities remained operational. Runways, taxiways, and aprons were free of standing water. However, the heavy rain caused flooding on access routes to the airport. This complicated travel for many arriving passengers.

In response, management advised passengers to arrive three hours early. This was to anticipate potential traffic delays and schedule changes. The airport is implementing delay management procedures. This aims to minimize the ripple effect of departure delays.

Weather-related disruptions are a common challenge for the global air transport industry. Organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) advocate for robust weather planning. Major manufacturers like Airbus also design aircraft systems to handle severe conditions. The incident highlights the need for continuous investment in airport and air traffic control resilience. You can follow more commercial aviation news at flying.flights.

Flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport gradually returned to normal. Conditions stabilized around 3:30 p.m. WIB as the severe weather eased.