Indonesia, Oct. 17 -- Forest fire haze and strong tailwinds forced airlines to cancel several flights to and from Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, airport officials at Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri Airport said.

"Batik Air flights ID 6554, Makassar-Palu (UPG-PALU) and ID 6555, Palu-Makassar, were canceled. The airline made the cancellation decision after waiting and observing the weather conditions, which have not improved," airport Head of Engineering and Operations Winariyanto said in Palu on Saturday.

He said the cancellations were necessary to maintain flight safety amid the adverse weather.

Strong winds from the gulf also disrupted Lion Air flight JT 780.

The aircraft made a go-around, then returned to its origin in Makassar at 7:01...