With tensions escalating in the Middle East, Qantas has adjusted its nonstop Perth to London flagship flight.
The route is no longer nonstop, as it is now including a refuel stop in Singapore.
This is due to extra distance required to avoid at risk airspace in the region.
Qantas says it could add several hours on the total journey time.
The Singapore refueling stop will be for around 90 minutes.
However, the return trip to Perth will not be impacted and will continue to operate nonstop.
This is Qantas’ longest flight and the world’s fourth-longest route.
The London flights are operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners which don’t have the range to complete the journey nonstop if needed to avoid Iran airspace.
Qantas flight QF9 from Melbourne to London Heathrow will now have two stopovers, in Perth and Singapore.
The tensions have also impacted Lufthansa and Austrian flights.
They have halted all direct flights to Tehran.
Other airlines such as Air India also stopped flying over Iranian airspace.
It adds extra time and expense for western airlines flying from Asia to Europe which have already had to operate longer journeys due to avoiding Russian airspace.
Source TravelMole
