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cloud of ash emitted from Mount Bromo in East Java drifted into Bali airspace, causing the cancellations of 23 international flights to and from Bali on Thursday and Friday.

Rachmat Syafie, acting general manager of airport operator Angkasa Pura, said Sunday the airlines cancelled their flights fearing the loss of visibility from the ash, despite the good weather in Bali at the time.

The cancelled flights included flights to and from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and South Korea. Affected airlines included Jet Star, Air Asia and Singapore Airlines.

“Some charter flights were also delayed for the same reason, but the situation returned to normal on Saturday,” Rachmat said, adding that the problem did not affect domestic flight schedules.

Ngurah Rai International Airport accommodates 253 arriving and departing flights. Fifty-nine serve international routes.

“Only a few flights were delayed, while others operated normally, including Air Asia and Garuda flying to Australia,” Rachmat said.

He said such problems were normal for an international airport like Ngurah Rai, which often sees delayed flights, particularly in the peak season.

He added that the delayed flights on Thursday and Friday did not strand many passengers at the airport thanks to the airlines, which provided hotels for passengers to extend their visits.

“Based on our monitoring, we didn’t get any complaints from passengers because we managed to coordinate with the airlines,” he said.

Airport head of weather forecasting Daryatno said an Australian satellite reading showed ash from Mount Bromo moving east and south at 10 to 15 knots into Bali airspace.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology reported the volcanic ash in the vicinity of Ngurah Rai International Airport, about 18,000 feet above the ground.

 Daryatno said the ash might not severely disrupt visibility from a plane, but that the extremely acidic ash could damage a plane’s machinery as it could cause corrosion immediately.

Based on the information received by the satellite, Daryatno’s office reported the news to airport authorities, and asked them to forward the information to all airlines serving Ngurah Rai routes.

“It’s up to the airlines to decide whether or not to cancel a flight or to operate normally. Our task is only to report weather conditions,” he said.