A tug of war between planes and kites in Indonesia's skies

In Indonesia, kite flying is a beloved tradition, especially during the summer holidays when students are out of school. Near Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, children gather in a paddy field just two kilometers away to fly their kites. The field is filled with the sound of kites fluttering in the wind, but every so often, the noise is drowned out by the roar of airplanes taking off and landing. The children keep an eye on the sky for their kites, but they also watch the ground for airport officials who might come to confiscate their kites. Seven-year-old Atif says he used to run away when the officers came, but now he is braver and just listens when they scold him. He feels sad if his kite is taken, but he knows he can always make another one.

This simple pastime has become a source of tension between the children and airport authorities. The officials are concerned because kites can pose a serious risk to airplanes. If a kite gets caught in an engine or blocks a sensor, it could cause a dangerous situation. In early July, kites disrupted 21 flights at the airport. Some planes had to be diverted to other airports, and some had to abort their landings because it was too risky to approach. The head of the airport authority, Mr. Putu, says that kites are moving obstacles and a serious risk to flight safety. He does not want any accidents to happen.

These fears are not without reason. In July 2024, a helicopter crashed in Bali after getting tangled in kite strings, injuring five people. In 2020, a plane found kite strings and bamboo sticks in its engine after landing at Soekarno-Hatta. Although the plane landed safely, the incident raised serious safety concerns. The airport set up a special task force to stop people from flying kites near the airport, but the problem has continued. The transport minister has urged airport authorities and local governments to educate the public about the dangers of flying kites near airports. They have tried to encourage children to play other sports, like football and badminton, but kite flying is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture.

Kites in Indonesia are not just toys. They are used in traditional ceremonies, to protect crops from birds, and even as offerings to the gods in Bali. Asep Irawan from the Indonesia Kite Museum says that kite flying has been passed down through generations and is a tradition in almost every region of Indonesia. However, he warns that children need to be careful because they may not understand the potential dangers.

The consequences for flying kites near airports can be severe. People caught doing so can face up to three years in jail or a fine of one billion Indonesian rupiah. Kites can also be dangerous in crowded cities. Last year, an eight-year-old boy died after running onto a toll road to chase a kite. In 2020, a man was arrested after his kite caused a blackout in Bali by falling onto a power substation, affecting more than 70,000 homes and buildings.

The children who fly kites near the airport say they do not want to cause trouble, but they have few other places to go. Jakarta has lost 31 percent of its green spaces in the last twenty years, as fields and forests have been replaced by roads and apartment buildings. Rasha, a 17-year-old who makes and sells kites, says there is only one other place to fly kites, but it is also close to the airport. The paddy field has become a gathering place for kite enthusiasts, who organize regular competitions. Rasha has won twice, but he has also had his kites confiscated by the police, who once even burned them. Despite the risks and warnings, Rasha and the other children continue to fly their kites, holding on to a tradition that means so much to them.