Australia’s flag carrier Qantas has decided to reroute its nonstop Perth to London flight. The decision to shift the service was taken in the interest of safety and as a precaution due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
The ultra-long service, launched in 2018, which previously operated nonstop through Middle East airspace will now operate via Singapore. The London flight, usually a 17-and-a-half hour service, will now refuel in Singapore. Then, as a precaution, the flight will follow an alternative route to London.
Return Flight Still Nonstop
The return flight from London Heathrow to Perth International Airport, however, will remain a non-stop service. The flight will take a readjusted route to Perth, avoiding flying over potentially risky areas. There will be no need to refuel en-route as prevailing winds will enable the aircraft to fly directly to Perth.
This is the second time this year that Qantas has been forced to reroute its flights due to tensions in the Middle East. In April, the Sydney-based carrier paused its nonstop route after Iran declared it would strike Israel for killing a senior Iranian commander in Syria.
The latest suspension follows Iran’s promise to retaliate for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by a suspected Israeli airstrike in Tehran on July 31.
Editor’s Note: This story was corrected on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 at 10:15 a.m. ET to properly reflect Qantas’ headquarters in Sydney.
