Planes traveling between Australia and New Zealand have been rerouted due to ongoing Chinese military drills occurring in nearby waters, raising concerns about the potential use of live fire during the exercises. The presence of three Chinese naval vessels in the Tasman Sea has sparked heightened vigilance from both nations, with Australia describing the sighting as “unusual.” In response, Qantas reportedly altered the flight paths for its aircraft, a move that has been echoed by other airlines. China confirmed that the exercise, taking place in international waters, was being held in accordance with international law. The vessels, including a frigate, cruiser, and supply tanker, are currently positioned approximately 340 nautical miles off Australia’s New South Wales coast, though at one point they were just 150 nautical miles from Sydney. Both Australia and New Zealand have been observing the Chinese fleet closely, deploying their own naval ships to monitor the activities.
New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins expressed frustration that China had not informed the country of the ship movements and actions in the Tasman Sea. Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles acknowledged that although such naval presence is not without precedent, it remains rare for Chinese ships to conduct exercises in this area. A representative from China’s foreign ministry declared that the operations would be conducted professionally, adhering to international norms and safety standards.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also noted that the Chinese fleet had issued an announcement about conducting live-fire drills but stressed that no immediate danger to either Australian or New Zealand assets had been identified. However, Marles pointed out that China had not directly communicated the live-fire alert with Australian officials. Instead, commercial airlines flying across the Tasman Sea, such as an Emirates flight en route from Sydney to Christchurch, picked up a broadcast alert about the exercise. Such notifications are generally given well in advance, typically 12 to 24 hours before an exercise begins.
Airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand have adjusted their flight routes, continuing to monitor the situation closely in coordination with the Australian government. Qantas emphasized that it remains committed to ensuring airspace safety and cooperation with relevant authorities. This military exercise comes just after a defense dialogue between Australia and China in Beijing, where military transparency and communication were key discussion points. The two countries have experienced several recent incidents involving maritime tensions. These include China’s release of flares in close proximity to an Australian military plane in the South China Sea, a Chinese fighter jet dropping flares near an Australian navy helicopter last year, and reports of injuries sustained by Australian divers due to sonar pulses emitted by Chinese ships in international waters off Japan. for 31 seconds
Planes operating between Australia and New Zealand have seen route adjustments as a result of a Chinese naval exercise in nearby waters that may involve live fire. The unexpected deployment of three Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea has raised concerns in both countries, with Australian authorities describing the event as “unusual.”
Qantas confirmed that it had temporarily rerouted its flights, a precautionary measure reportedly adopted by other carriers as well. Chinese officials assert that the exercise—conducted in international waters—is fully compliant with international law.
Currently, the Chinese fleet—consisting of a frigate, a cruiser, and a supply tanker—is reported to be positioned about 340 nautical miles off the New South Wales coast, although the vessels had come within 150 nautical miles of Sydney at one point. Both Australia and New Zealand have been tracking the fleet closely since last week, with each nation deploying its own ships to monitor the situation.
New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins expressed frustration over the lack of direct communication from China regarding the deployment, noting that they were not informed about the warships or their activities in the Tasman Sea. Similarly, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described the occurrence as atypical, even if not entirely unprecedented.
On Friday, China’s foreign ministry confirmed that its naval training exercises were taking place in “distant waters” and were being conducted safely and professionally in line with international norms. Later that day, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reported that the Chinese fleet had issued an alert signaling the start of exercises that might include live fire. He reassured that these activities, occurring in accordance with international law, did not pose any immediate threat to Australian or New Zealand assets.
Marles, however, criticized the method of notification, pointing out that the alert was disseminated via channels picked up by commercial airlines—rather than through direct, advanced notice typically given 12 to 24 hours beforehand. One Emirates flight reportedly received the live-fire notice while en route from Sydney to Christchurch.
In response, Qantas stated that it was continuously monitoring the airspace and had adjusted its flight paths accordingly. Both Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have taken similar steps.
This exercise comes just days after a defence dialogue between Australia and China in Beijing, where issues of military transparency and communication were among the topics discussed. The current tensions follow several recent incidents, including an episode where a Chinese fighter jet released flares near an Australian military aircraft over the South China Sea, and another instance last year involving flares dropped near an Australian navy helicopter during a UN mission in the Yellow Sea. Additionally, Australia recently accused China’s navy of using sonar pulses in international waters off Japan—a move that reportedly injured Australian divers.
