Australian authorities were warned about an unexpected military exercise by Chinese naval ships in the Tasman Sea by a Virgin Australia pilot, the head of Australia's air traffic control agency Airservices Australia told a parliamentary committee, quoted by "Reuters", BTA reports.
The military maneuvers, held in international waters between Australia and New Zealand, led to changes in the routes of 49 flights by airlines including Qantas, Emirates, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia.
Australian and New Zealand authorities said they did not receive timely notification from the Chinese navy about the exercise, which took place 483 km off Australia's east coast. Typically, military exercises and missile tests are announced in advance via NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) at least 24 hours before the event.
According to Airservices Australia CEO Rob Sharp, the first warning of the Chinese military maneuvers came not from official sources, but from a Virgin Australia pilot. He heard a message from the Chinese military on an emergency radio frequency, which is mainly monitored by pilots.
After the pilot notified air traffic control, Australian authorities immediately issued a warning to airlines and established a no-fly zone in the region.
China's Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that it had sent multiple safety notices before the exercise and that its actions were in line with international law and did not endanger aviation safety.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the incident, stressing that Australian Defense was aware of the Chinese presence and that Australian frigates had been monitoring the movements of Chinese ships by sea and air.
According to the Australian Defense Ministry, a Chinese frigate, a cruiser and a supply ship entered Australian sea approaches and sailed past the east coast of the country last week.