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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Doherty and Daisy Dumas

Australian aviation authorities first informed about Chinese live firing drill by Virgin pilot

Virgin Australia Airservices Australia Richard Marles
This handout photo taken on February 11, 2025, and released by The Australian Defence Force on February 21, shows the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang sailing at an undisclosed location
Officials from Airservices Australia told Senate estimates on Monday that it was first informed of the live-fire drill after a Virgin pilot learned of the exercise. Photograph: Australian defence force/AFP/Getty Images

Australian officials did not know Chinese warships were conducting live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea until a Virgin commercial pilot alerted aviation authorities half an hour after they had begun.

Officials from Airservices Australia, the agency responsible for aviation safety, told a Senate estimates hearing on Monday night that it was first informed of the live-fire drill at 9.58am on Friday morning, when a Virgin pilot was informed by the Chinese navy flotilla by radio.

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