Flights diverted due to Chinese naval live-fire exercises in Tasman Sea

Friday 21 February 2025 · 4 outlets · 5 reports · updated Fri 21 Feb 2025, 8:59pm

In this story Judith Collins, Penny Wong

Airlines flying between Australia and New Zealand have modified flight paths following reports of live-fire drills by the Chinese navy in the Tasman Sea. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned airlines to be cautious, while one flight from Sydney to Christchurch was reportedly directly warned by the Chinese military to avoid the airspace.

How they headlined it

7:45pm8:59pm

1. 1NewsFri 21 Feb 2025, 7:45pm

   Australia alerts airlines to Chinese navy live-firing in Tasman Sea (opens in new tab)

   • Airlines warned of Chinese navy live-fire exercise in Tasman Sea (opens in new tab) Fri 21 Feb 2025, 7:45pm
2. RNZFri 21 Feb 2025, 8:01pm

   Commercial pilots between Australia and NZ diverted over possible Chinese live fire exercises (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldFri 21 Feb 2025, 8:04pm

   Transtasman flights diverted due to Chinese ‘live-fire’ military drills in Tasman Sea (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesFri 21 Feb 2025, 8:59pm

   China conducts military drills in Tasman Sea, flights diverted (opens in new tab)