Haze: Aviation, maritime sectors on high alert, says Liow

KUALA LUMPUR: The aviation and maritime sectors are ordered to be on high alert due to the worsening haze situation.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic) said the Marine Department and Civil Aviation Department had issued warnings in view of the reduced visibility in some major cities and towns.

Speaking after the opening of the Selangor MCA annual general meeting at Wisma MCA, Liow said two commercial flights had so far been diverted due to the haze.

On Saturday morning, a Tiger Airways flight from Singapore to Ipoh was forced to land at the KL International Airport as the visibility at Ipoh Airport had dropped to less than 900-metres.

On Sunday, an AirAsia flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Kuala Lumpur had to be re-routed to Phuket before entering Malaysian air space.

Liow added that some maritime activities would have to be stopped if visibility dropped below one-nautical mile.