Commercial Flights Diverted After CCP Warships Begin Surprise Live-Fire Exercise Near Australia
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/commercial-flights-diverted-after-ccp-warships-begin-surprise-live-fire-exercise-near
Commercial flight paths between Australia and New Zealand have been disrupted after Chinese warships began preparing to fire live ammunition as part of an apparent military exercise.
The three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have traversed the Australian coastline for the past week with no indication of their motives, and came within 150 nautical miles (277 kilometres on land) of Sydney on Feb. 19.
Several flight have been re-routed, including Qantas and Emirates aircraft, following advice that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) warships had been “live firing in international waters” on Feb. 21.
“As a precaution, we have advised airlines with flights planned in the area,” an Airservices Australia spokesperson said.
“We are also working together to coordinate advice to operators and pilots.”
Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces have been tracking the flotilla since last week.
The weapons firing is understood to be taking place 346 nautical miles (640 kilometres) off Eden, south of Sydney in New South Wales, according to a Defence Department spokesperson.
In a statement, Air New Zealand said it “has modified flight paths as needed to avoid the area, with no impact on our operations.”
Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar told RNZ they are working with the Australian government to monitor the situation.
The small fleet called Task Group 107, includes the heavily armed Renhai-class cruiser (named Zunyi), a Jiangkai-class frigate (Hengyang), and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu. Continue…