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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/24/australian-passenger-disruption-as-airlines-delay-or-cancel-flights-following-irans-attack-on-us-base-in-qatar
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| Flights from Australia to Europe diverted after Iran’s attack on US base in Qatar | Flights from Australia to Europe diverted after Iran’s attack on US base in Qatar |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said there had been ‘disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region’ | Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said there had been ‘disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region’ |
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| The Albanese government and airlines are warning passengers in Australia of flight delays and disruptions after Iran’s strike on a US base in Qatar resulted in several countries closing their airspace. | The Albanese government and airlines are warning passengers in Australia of flight delays and disruptions after Iran’s strike on a US base in Qatar resulted in several countries closing their airspace. |
| In a post to X on Tuesday morning, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said there had been “disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region”. | In a post to X on Tuesday morning, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said there had been “disruptions to flights with temporary airspace closures in the region”. |
| “Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations,” she said. | “Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations,” she said. |
| “Australians travelling should seek updates from their airlines and follow SmartTraveller.” | “Australians travelling should seek updates from their airlines and follow SmartTraveller.” |
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| The transport minister, Catherine King, said the government had been “engaging with Australian airlines” and was monitoring the situation closely. | |
| In a statement, Qantas said it had rerouted two flights – one bound for the UK and one headed to Europe – with the latter en route back to Australia. | In a statement, Qantas said it had rerouted two flights – one bound for the UK and one headed to Europe – with the latter en route back to Australia. |
| “Due to airspace closures and congestion through the Middle East resulting in air traffic restrictions, QF9 (Perth-London) has been diverted to Singapore and QF33 (Perth-Paris) is returning to Perth,” the statement said. | “Due to airspace closures and congestion through the Middle East resulting in air traffic restrictions, QF9 (Perth-London) has been diverted to Singapore and QF33 (Perth-Paris) is returning to Perth,” the statement said. |
| “We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.” | “We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.” |
| Virgin Australia was warning passengers it had diverted flights VA1 and VA15, operated by Qatar Airways for Virgin Australia, after Qatar’s airspace temporarily closed. | Virgin Australia was warning passengers it had diverted flights VA1 and VA15, operated by Qatar Airways for Virgin Australia, after Qatar’s airspace temporarily closed. |
| Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority has reopened the country’s airspace, however, with the agency posting to X that things would return to “normal” after taking “necessary measures in coordination with relevant authorities”, according to a translation. | Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority has reopened the country’s airspace, however, with the agency posting to X that things would return to “normal” after taking “necessary measures in coordination with relevant authorities”, according to a translation. |
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| “The Authority commends the great cooperation shown by all partners and the efforts of all state entities to ensure the safety and security of aviation in Qatari airspace.” | “The Authority commends the great cooperation shown by all partners and the efforts of all state entities to ensure the safety and security of aviation in Qatari airspace.” |
| But some passengers were electing to disembark flights rather than continue their travel plans, including at Melbourne airport, according to the ABC. | But some passengers were electing to disembark flights rather than continue their travel plans, including at Melbourne airport, according to the ABC. |
| The airport warned passengers on Tuesday morning there may be delays or disruptions to service “if you’re due to travel through the Middle East today”. | The airport warned passengers on Tuesday morning there may be delays or disruptions to service “if you’re due to travel through the Middle East today”. |
| “Please check with your airline for any updates to your flight departure time,” the airline posted on X. | “Please check with your airline for any updates to your flight departure time,” the airline posted on X. |