Latest news with #QF9
Courier-Mail
26-06-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Qantas reveal 'contingency plans' for when airspaces shut
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian airlines have been forced to reroute and cancel flights this week after conflict caused major disruption the Middle East. But what is the process behind calculating risk in international airspace? On Tuesday, two Qantas flights from Perth - one to London and one to Paris - were diverted due to a traffic jam in the skies above the Gulf. In the hours prior, Iranian missile attacks on a US military base had led to the closure of parts of the airspace in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Two Qantas flights from Perth - one to London and one to Paris - were diverted due to a traffic jam in the skies above the Gulf. Picture: Julian Andrews Pilots London-bound on QF9 were advised by Mumbai air traffic control of the situation and quickly alerted Ben Holland, head of Qantas' integrated operations centre. The contingency plans were as follows: within minutes, Holland had met with senior staff from multiple departments via conference call. Qantas took a 'conservative risk perspective' and used multiple sources of intelligence and information as a part of a multi-layered process to manage situations, Qantas chief risk officer Andrew Monaghan told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'We're doing things more frequently in terms of risk assessment,' he said. Ben Holland, the head of Qantas' integrated operation centre, jumped on a conference call with other executives minutes after the call. Picture: Qantas 'There's just more effort that has to go into it because the availability of airspace is limited.' The flight corridors through the Middle East are one of the main avenues by air to Europe for Aussie travellers, which have been narrowed significantly since the Iran-Israel conflict escalated. QF9 was directed to reroute to Singapore while the other aircraft, QF33, was told to return to Perth - with passengers enduring a 15-hour flight to nowhere. Those on board were not told about the missile attack until returning to Australia, WAToday reported, instead were only told the flight was turning back because airspace over Qatar had closed. Originally published as Qantas reveal 'contingency plans' for when airspaces shut
The Age
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Qantas flights diverted from Europe as Iranian strikes throw travel into chaos
Qantas flights have been diverted following the closure of Qatar's airspace after Iran launched missiles at a US base there. Qantas' Perth-Paris flight turned back to Perth, while the airline's Perth-London diverted to Singapore, a spokesperson confirmed. One flight was over Indian airspace, and the other was nearby when the changes were made. 'We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required, ' said a spokesperson for Qantas, who thanked passengers for 'their patience and understanding'. QF9, the Perth-London flight, is carrying 199 passengers and 14 crew who will now stay in Singapore for the night, as future arrangements are made. QF33, the Perth-Paris flight, has 216 passengers and 14 crew, who will stay overnight in Perth, before travelling onward. The failure of those flights to reach their destinations will have follow-on effects for Qantas with flights QF10 (London to Perth) and QF34 (Paris to Perth) – having to be cancelled and rescheduled. Global airlines are feeling the effect of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, as airstrikes force carriers to navigate around a wide swath of territory, tear up flight schedules and turn around aircraft mid-flight. By 7.45am AEST, Qatar said its flights had resumed following the reopening of airspace in the State of Qatar. 'Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly,' he said.
Herald Sun
24-06-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Qatar Airways suspends all flights after Iranian strikes on US air base
Australian travellers are being warned to closely monitor their flight schedules after several planes were diverted and an airline suspended all flights amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Iran launched an attack on the US' Al Udied Airbase in Qatar overnight, following the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities days earlier. The attack was thwarted without casualties, Qatari authorities have said. Flights for a major Middle Eastern airline have been cancelled, causing chaos for thousands of Australian travellers. Picture: Supplied Qatar Airways temporarily suspended all flights in the wake of the attack, due to the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar. 'We are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support any passengers that have been impacted, and will resume operations when the airspace reopens,' the airline said in an online statement. 'The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.' Flights are avoiding Iran as the country launched missiles into US' Al Udied Airbase in Qatar. Picture: Flightradar The airline has since confirmed it was reinstating its flights as the airspace reopened. Additional staff have been deployed at Hamad Interational Airport and other airports to assist passengers affected by the delays and cancelled flights. 'As operations resume, we anticipate significant delays to our flight schedule,' the spokesman said. 'We would advise passengers to check or the Qatar Airways mobile application ahead of travel.' The temporary closure of the Qatari airspace forced several flights from Australia to divert to other countries. A Virgin Australia spokesman told NewsWire two flights operated by Qatar Airways had been diverted on the way to Doha. Flight VA1 (Sydney–Doha) was diverted to Bengaluru and VA15 (Brisbane–Doha) diverted to Muscat. The flight from Sydney to Doha was forced to perform a U-turn halfway through the flight, before landing in Bengaluru in India. 'Both aircraft landed safely,' they said. 'Guest recovery is being co-ordinated by Qatar Airways, including support on the ground and assistance with onward travel arrangements.' Qatas have also diverted flights amid the missile strike on US Al Udied Airbase in Qatar. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Qantas flights have also been impacted by the closures, with one flight from Perth to London being diverted to Singapore, carrying 199 passengers and 14 crew. 'Due to airspace closures and congestion through the Middle East resulting in air traffic restrictions, QF9 (Perth-London) has been diverted to Singapore and QF33 (Perth-Paris) is returning to Perth,' the spokesman told NewsWire. 'We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required. 'We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.' The Qantas spokesman said all passengers and crew would be provided overnight accommodation. The diverted flight will impact another flight's departure, due to a lack of aircraft on the round, with recovery being assessed. The QF33 flight from Perth to France has returned to Perth, carrying 216 passengers and 14 crew, while the QF1 flight from Singapore to London is continuing as scheduled, and is travelling north of the impacted airspace. The Qantas spokesman said the QF2 flight from Singapore to Sydney is not affected. Flight VA1 from Sydney to Doha was forced to perform a U-turn and diverted to Bengaluru in India. Picture: Flightradar Passengers scheduled to travel on Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Doha are advised to closely monitor their flight information. Doha is one of the major stopovers for Australians travelling to Europe, which is entering its summer season. One Australian who was planning to fly to Dublin on Tuesday told Today he saw 'lights coming from the distance' as missiles hit the skies. 'And at first it sort of it felt like sort of dull fireworks there, with a bit of rumblings going off,' he said. On Tuesday morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Iran's strikes on the US bases of Qatar and Iraq, reiterating calls for 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy'. 'There have been disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region,' she said. 'Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations. Australians travelling should seek updates from their airlines and follow (Smartraveller). 'Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre 1300 555 135 (within Australia) and +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).' More to come Originally published as Qatar Airways reinstates all flights after Iranian strikes on US air base
The Age
24-06-2025
- The Age
WA news LIVE: Qantas diverts Perth-Paris, Perth-London flights
Latest posts Latest posts 9.56am Qantas diverts Perth-Paris, Perth-London flights Some more details now on the Qantas flights from Perth that have been diverted following the closure of Qatar's airspace after Iran launched missiles at a US base there. Qantas' Perth-Paris flight turned back to Perth, while the airline's Perth-London flight diverted to Singapore, a spokesperson confirmed. One flight was over Indian airspace, and the other was nearby when the changes were made. Loading 'We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required,' said a spokesperson for Qantas. 'We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.' QF9, the Perth-London flight, is carrying 199 passengers and 14 crew who will now stay in Singapore for the night, as future arrangements are made. QF33, the Perth-Paris flight, has 216 passengers and 14 crew, who will return to Perth and be accommodated overnight before travelling onward. The failure of those flights to reach their destinations will have follow-on effects for Qantas with flights QF10 (London to Perth) and QF34 (Paris to Perth) – having to be cancelled and rescheduled.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
WA news LIVE: Qantas diverts Perth-Paris, Perth-London flights
Latest posts Latest posts 9.56am Qantas diverts Perth-Paris, Perth-London flights Some more details now on the Qantas flights from Perth that have been diverted following the closure of Qatar's airspace after Iran launched missiles at a US base there. Qantas' Perth-Paris flight turned back to Perth, while the airline's Perth-London flight diverted to Singapore, a spokesperson confirmed. One flight was over Indian airspace, and the other was nearby when the changes were made. Loading 'We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required,' said a spokesperson for Qantas. 'We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.' QF9, the Perth-London flight, is carrying 199 passengers and 14 crew who will now stay in Singapore for the night, as future arrangements are made. QF33, the Perth-Paris flight, has 216 passengers and 14 crew, who will return to Perth and be accommodated overnight before travelling onward. The failure of those flights to reach their destinations will have follow-on effects for Qantas with flights QF10 (London to Perth) and QF34 (Paris to Perth) – having to be cancelled and rescheduled.
