Australia and New Zealand were caught off guard by Chinese live-fire naval drills conducted in the Tasman Sea, prompting dozens of flights to be diverted. The drills, carried out by three Chinese warships, were first reported by a commercial pilot who relayed the information to aviation authorities. This led to 49 aircraft altering their flight paths to avoid the area where the exercises were taking place.
Both Australia and New Zealand expressed concern over the lack of prior notification from China. The absence of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) raised questions about aviation safety protocols. While China defended the legality of the drills in international waters, experts highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe distance from civilian flight routes.
