Qantas Temporarily Halts London Service, Braces for Iranian Attack on Israel

Monday, April 15, 2024

Qantas halts its direct Perth-London flights due to looming Iranian threats against Israel, rerouting through Singapore for safety.

Qantas has temporarily halted its direct Perth to London flights due to concerns over Iranian airspace, given the rising tensions and anticipated conflicts involving Tehran and Israel. These flights, which used to travel non-stop over Iranian airspace, are now rerouted through Singapore, extending the typical 17.5-hour journey.

Previously, the direct route was facilitated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, making it the sole regular non-stop service between Australia and the UK. In response to the new flight path, the airline has renumbered the Perth-London route from QF9 to QF209, with a refueling stop in Singapore included.

While the westbound flight from London back to Perth will continue without stops, it will follow an altered path to bypass Iranian airspace. This adjustment is possible without additional stops due to favorable jetstreams that reduce fuel consumption and flight times when flying east.

In the geopolitical arena, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been actively communicating with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. She urged Iran to foster stability in the region rather than escalating tensions. This diplomatic effort coincides with an updated travel advisory from Australia to its citizens about the heightened risk of military and terrorist attacks against Israeli targets.

Moreover, the U.S. administration, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has been vocal in its efforts to deter Iran from retaliatory actions following an incident involving the Iranian embassy in Damascus. President Biden expressed concerns over an imminent Iranian attack on Israel and strongly warned against such actions, emphasizing U.S. commitment to Israel’s defense.

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