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Mainland China Navy exercise forces airlines to alter trans-Tasman flight plans
February 24th 2025
Airlines including Air New Zealand, Emirates and Qantas were forced to revise flight plans on some flights between Australia and New Zealand over the weekend due to live-fire exercises conducted by the Mainland China military. Read More » The three China Navy warships were sailing in international waters about 280 kilometres south of Sydney, local media reported, citing military data. Media reports said the warships had only given “limited notice” before the live-firing exercise, well below the customary 24 to 48 hours notice. “They notified a live firing exercise but with very short notice, which meant that was very disconcerting for planes that were in the air,” Australia Defence Minister, Richard Marles, told reporters.
