North Korea satellite launch causes changes in flight paths

North Korea satellite launch causes changes in flight paths

Air safety is not something to be taken lightly, especially after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was mistakenly shot down back in 2014. Hoping to avoid a similar disaster are major Japanese and South Korean carriers, which are adjusting their flight paths so as to avoid debris caused by the launch of North Korea’s observation satellite.

The satellite – which critics claim is a front for a ballistic missile test – is intended to launch sometime between today and Feb. 25, CNN reported. As a result, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have announced changes in seven flight paths between Japan and Southeast Asian capital cities during this period.

According to Traveltalk magazine, ANA flights from Tokyo Haneda to Manila, Manila to Tokyo Narita, and from Jakarta to Narita, along with Japan Airlines flights from Jakarta to Narita and from Narita to Manila will all be affected.

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also announced that airlines would re-route 41 flights between Feb. 8 and 25.

It is expected that changes in flight paths will add no more than 10 minutes to each journey.

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