Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 8, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Australia’s Qantas scraps non-stop flight to London amid Mideast tensions
In this photo taken November 1, 2019, a Qantas Boeing 737-800 takes off from Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport in Sydney. (PETER PARKS / AFP)
SYDNEY — Australian airline Qantas scraps its non-stop Perth to London flight, saying the decision is being taken as a “precaution” due to tensions in the Middle East.
The flight, usually a non-stop 17-and-a-half hour journey, will now refuel in Singapore, allowing it to carry a full load of passengers on a route that avoids contested airspace.
It is the second time this year the airline has been forced to redirect flights due to unrest in the Middle East.
The return service — London to Perth — will continue to fly non-stop on a readjusted path due to prevailing winds.
Qantas joins other airlines including Lufthansa in redirecting flights from the area.
