The Indonesian Ministry of Transport is raising the alarm: kites are increasingly being flown where they shouldn't be. According to Lukman F. Lais, the Director General of Civil Aviation, this pastime near runways poses a direct threat to flight safety and requires strict control.
From July 4 to 6, 21 flights were disrupted at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport due to kites. Crews had to go around or fly to alternate airfields.
To prevent violations, Soekarno-Hatta Airport's management, together with local authorities, has set up a task force. Its mission is to inform residents, monitor restricted areas, and hold responsible parties accountable. Article 421 of the Civil Aviation Act stipulates up to three years in prison and a fine of up to one billion rupiahs for actions endangering flight safety.
The problem is not limited to the capital's skies. The frames and lines of kites have been disrupting high-speed trains for two consecutive years. In the first six months of 2025, 169 incidents caused delays of up to 50 minutes for Whoosh trains.
In Bali, the danger is also highlighted every summer. Regional Regulation No. 9/2000 prohibits flying kites within a nine-kilometer radius of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport; flying height is restricted to 300 meters at distances of 10–54 km. Violators risk up to three months in prison or a fine of up to five million rupiahs.
It is crucial to follow the rules near power lines as well. According to PT PLN (Persero), kites caught on wires have repeatedly caused short circuits and blackouts in entire areas. In the summer of 2024, a kite caused a helicopter crash in South Kuta.
Authorities emphasize that flying kites is an important cultural tradition, but the safety of residents and visitors must remain a priority. Kites should only be flown away from airports, railways, and power lines, strictly adhering to height restrictions.
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