Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) says it has been forced to delay the planned launch of its Singapore Changi to Sydney Kingsford Smith, Australia via Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Indonesia service owing to runway usage restrictions in force at the Indonesian capital's gateway.

The Singaporeans had planned to launch the 3x weekly service, which features 5th Freedom rights on the Indonesia-Australia sectors, on Wednesday, November 23.

"The Indonesian civil aviation authorities had issued SIA written approval, and SIA had secured the necessary airport slots," it said. "However, SIA has been informed by the Indonesian civil aviation authorities that they are now unable to approve the flights due to runway maintenance works at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which also affect other airlines."

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport's runway issues have also affected home-based carrier Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta). Garuda is only allowed, at present, to operate three of its six weekly flights to Amsterdam Schiphol direct. Fuel payload restrictions require the use of a stopover at Singapore Changi on the other three weekly flights to the Dutch hub. Likewise, its 3x weekly service to London Heathrow is also required to stopover in Singapore for the same reasons.