The 17-hour Perth to London route will now include a stop in Singapore to avoid potentially dangerous airspace, Qantas announced on Thursday.
“We’re modifying certain flight paths as a precautionary measure in response to the escalating situation in the Middle East,” a Qantas spokesperson explained. “Customers will be notified directly if there are any booking changes.”
Return flights from London to Perth will remain non-stop, thanks to favourable wind conditions.
The decision follows rising tensions as Israel prepares for potential retaliation from Iran in response to recent events. Iran has vowed revenge after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismael Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. While Israel has acknowledged responsibility only for Shukr’s death, Iran supports both militant groups and has threatened action against Israel.
Qantas had previously suspended the route in April when Iran announced it would retaliate for the killing of a senior Iranian commander in Syria—an act it later executed.
The Albanese government has advised Australians currently in Lebanon to evacuate promptly, cautioning that they might face indefinite isolation if Beirut’s airport is closed.
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