Since China is conducting a highly watched military drill in adjacent waters that could entail live fire, planes operating between Australia and New Zealand have been rerouted.
In recent days, both antipodean nations have been on high alert due to the strange appearance of three Chinese naval vessels in the Tasman Sea, which Australia has described as “unusual.”.
Other airlines have apparently followed suit after Australian airline Qantas alerted the media that it “temporarily adjusted” the itinerary of their aircraft.
The exercise, which is occurring in international waters, is in compliance with international law, according to China.
Although the ships were believed to have approached the point as close as 150 nautical miles, they are currently 340 nautical miles east of Australia’s New South Wales coast.
