Commercial pilots have been warned of a potential hazard in airspace between Australia and New Zealand after three Chinese warships in the area reportedly undertook live fire exercise.
Defence last week revealed it was monitoring two People’s Liberation Army-navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel in the Coral Sea off Queensland, as the ships conducted military exercises.
Defence said on Wednesday the flotilla had moved south, with reports it was spotted 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney.
The ABC has reported formal advice has been issued by Airservices Australia to commercial pilots which prompted several international flights to divert course.
The Australian Financial Review reported commercial flight had been “harassed by a live fire exercise”.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it was “normal practice” for such advice to be given in the circumstances.
“This is an evolving situation, but it would be normal practice where a task group is engaging in exercises for there to be advice given to vessels and aircraft in the area,” she told ABC TV on Friday afternoon.
“Airservices Australia is doing what it should do, which is to give that advice.”
Airservices Australia, which is responsible for aviation safety within the region, has referred all questions to the Department of Defence.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday the activity was “unusual”.
“We are keeping close watch on them, and we will be making sure that we watch every move and whenever this mission is over on the part of the Chinese task group, we will assess everything we have seen to make a proper assessment of exactly what they were trying to achieve through this mission,” Mr Marles told Sky News.
Defence has been contacted.
More to come.
https://thewest.com.au/news/commercial-pilots-warned-after-chinese-warships-spotted-off-sydney-c-17803840
