Some flights over the Tasman Sea have reportedly been forced to change routes after fears Chinese naval vessels were carrying out live-fire drills in the region.
Australia has warned airlines flying to and from New Zealand to beware of warships conducting live-fire exercises, the country's foreign minister Penny Wong said.
Wong confirmed media reports that regulator Airservices Australia had warned commercial pilots of a potential hazard in the airspace between New Zealand and Australia as three Chinese warships conduct exercises off the Australian east coast.
1News has approached Defence Minister Judith Collins' office for comment.
Several international flights have changed their routes as a result of official advice from air traffic controllers, the ABC reports.
It reported an Emirates flight from Sydney to Christchurch was also directly warned by the Chinese military to avoid airspace at about 1pm New Zealand time.
Two pilots flying different planes heard broadcasts from Chinese ships, 9News reports.
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“It would be normal practice where a task group is engaging in exercises for there to be advice given to vessels and aircraft in the area and Airservices Australia is doing what it should do, which is to give that advice,” Wong told ABC.
Australia was discussing with China about the notification and transparency around its naval exercises, “particularly live-fire exercises,” she said.
Virgin Australia said it was following Airservices Australia instructions, but did not say whether its New Zealand services had been diverted.
Military ships and planes have been monitoring the Chinese warships for days as they pass in international waters off the Australian east coast.
New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins said yesterday that China was exercising its rights under international laws which allows them to travel through those seas.
However, Collins said China had "not deigned to advise us what they're doing in the middle of the Tasman Sea" but said it was "quite a significant event".
It was the first time Chinese warships with that sort of capability had come this far south, she said.
Officials say Chinese naval task groups rarely venture so far south. The ships are the frigate Hengyang, cruiser Zunyi and replenishment vessel Weishanhu.
