Russian missile threat: Cathay Pacific diverts flights to Hong Kong away from Caspian Sea and Iran
Airline reroutes over fears that intensifying military activity targeting Syria could be threat to jets
Cathay Pacific has suspended flights over Iran and the Caspian Sea following warnings from air safety agencies that Russian missiles targeting Syrian rebels pose a threat to passenger jets.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation and the European Aviation Safety Agency issued safety advisories last week over intensifying military activity.
Russia, since late September, has been firing rockets over these areas - where major commercial flight paths intersect - into war-torn Syria, targeting Islamic State.
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Cathay Pacific stopped routing aircraft over the danger zone last Thursday and confirmed it received the guidance which "made no specific recommendations to carriers" at the time of the issuance.
A handful of other airlines, including Air France, previously flying over the Caspian Sea, Iraq and Iran are reported to have joined the Hong Kong-based carrier, in rerouting away from the military activity.
Cathay said it had a long-term policy not to fly over Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Syria.