Quantcast

Qantas faces delays due to SpaceX rocket debris over Indian Ocean

European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
Qantas faces delays due to SpaceX rocket debris over Indian Ocean
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Qantas has announced delays in its Airbus A380 flights between Sydney and Johannesburg due to last-minute changes in information about SpaceX rocket debris re-entries. Ben Holland, head of Qantas's operations center, explained that SpaceX has been providing late notices regarding the location of falling rocket debris over the Southern Indian Ocean, which affects the flight path between Sydney Airport and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Holland stated that despite efforts to adjust schedules, recent SpaceX launches have shifted with little warning, forcing Qantas to delay flights. The airline is in communication with SpaceX to refine re-entry areas and time windows to reduce disruptions.

"Customers generally understand this is outside of airlines’ control and that we can’t fly in the area when the rocket re-entry is taking place," said Holland.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Qantas operates flight QF63/QF64 on this route using an Airbus A380 since October 2024. Flightradar24 data shows only three on-time departures from Sydney so far in 2025. Previously, a Boeing 787-9 was used for up to six weekly flights on this route.

Flight QF63's scheduled departure from Sydney is at 9:30 local time but has faced delays ranging from 10:23 to 12:14 recently. Similarly, QF64's departure from Johannesburg has varied significantly from its scheduled time of 17:15.

Other airlines operating across the Southern Indian Ocean have also experienced delays. South African Airways' flight SA280 was canceled on January 12 but departed later than scheduled on January 13. Air Mauritius's flight MK440 has had minor delays, while its return flight MK441 has remained relatively punctual.

On December 25, QF63 encountered a mechanical issue leading to a return to Sydney after five hours in the air. The aircraft resumed service the next day for a different route.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier in the U.S. by passengers, operates approximately 4,000 daily flights across its network.

Apr 23, 2025

The story of Kalitta Air and its founder, Conrad "Connie" Kalitta, is rooted in a deep passion for drag racing that eventually led to the establishment of an international cargo airline.

Apr 23, 2025

The New York to Los Angeles flight route is one of the busiest in the United States.

Apr 23, 2025

The Airbus A220 is making strides in Europe, particularly with three airlines operating some of the longest routes on this regional jet.

Apr 23, 2025

Air India, the leading airline connecting India and the United Kingdom, faces increasing competition from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and India's low-cost carrier IndiGo.

Apr 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines' maintenance arm, Delta TechOps, has secured a new contract with UPS Airlines for service on its Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines.

Apr 23, 2025