Australian carriers Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar, as well as Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), Scoot (Singapore), and Indigo (Malaysia and India), suspended some or all flights, according to an AFP journalist at Bali’s airport.

The disruptions were caused by the eruption of the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on the island of Flores, located around 800 km east of Bali. On Tuesday, the volcano released a massive ash and smoke column reaching 9 km high.

Standing 1,703 meters tall, this volcano has erupted several times in recent days, resulting in nine fatalities, 31 injuries, and the evacuation of 11,000 people, as reported by Indonesian authorities.

Volcanic eruptions pose a serious threat to planes in flight, as ash can damage engines and scratch cockpit windshields, limiting visibility. According to Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, Director General of Denpasar-Bali International Airport, 22 international and 12 domestic flights were affected on Tuesday, though no data was provided for Wednesday.

The airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, reported on Wednesday that airspace testing had detected no ash, confirming that operational conditions remained "normal."