Cathay Pacific avoids flying over Iran after missile warning

FILE PHOTO

KONG — Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific says it has stopped flying over Iran and the Caspian Sea following an air safety agency warning about Russia missiles fired at Syria.

The airline said Wednesday that flights that normally go over Iran and the Caspian Sea are now going around those areas to get to their destinations.

Cathay said the diversions started last Thursday and will continue “until further notice.”

The European Aviation Safety Agency issued a safety bulletin to airlines last week about cruise missiles targeted at Syrian rebels fired by Russian warships in the Caspian Sea. It said the missiles must cross Iran and Iraq below flight routes used by commercial aircraft. TVJ