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Qantas has modified its non-stop flight from Perth to London to avoid Iranian airspace amid growing fears Iran is planning an attack on Israel.
A Qantas spokesperson told SBS News that the flight will temporarily operate via a fuel stop in Singapore.
“We’re temporarily adjusting the flight paths for our flights between Perth and London due to the situation in parts of the Middle East,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ll reach out to customers directly if there’s any change to their booking.”
The return flight from London to Perth is still able to operate directly.
Israel bracing for attack by Iran
Israel has braced for an attack by Iran or its proxies as warnings grow of retaliation for the killing of a senior officer in Iran’s embassy in Damascus.
Iran has that killed the Iranian general and six other Iranian military officers, ratcheting up tension in a region already strained by the Gaza war.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Israel “must be punished and it shall be”.
United States President Joe Biden said he expected Iran to attack Israel “sooner, rather than later” and warned Tehran not to proceed.
Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden said simply, “Don’t,” and underscored Washington’s commitment to defend Israel.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she had spoken to Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, urging Iran to “use its influence in the region to promote stability, not contribute to escalation”.
In a statement posted on X, Wong said Australia was “deeply concerned by indications Iran is preparing military action against Israel”.
German airline Lufthansa recently extended a suspension of flights to Tehran. Source: AAP / DPA
Qantas is not the only airline to modify its flights due to increased tensions in the region.
Earlier in the week, Germany’s Lufthansa extended a suspension of flights to Tehran because of the “situation in the Middle East”.
“The safety of our guests and crew members is Lufthansa’s top priority,” a spokesperson for the airline told the Reuters news agency.
Tyler Mitchell
It’s crucial for airlines like Qantas to prioritize passenger safety and avoid potential risks in the ever-changing geopolitical climate. Kudos to Qantas for taking proactive steps to ensure the well-being of their customers.
Will this route change affect the travel duration for passengers flying from Perth to London? How much longer will the flight be with the fuel stop in Singapore?