Qantas Faces Extended Delays on Sydney-Johannesburg Flights Due to SpaceX Rocket Re-Entry Adjustment

Qantas has encountered significant delays of up to six hours on its flights from Sydney to Johannesburg, attributed to last-minute modifications in the re-entry schedules of SpaceX rockets over the southern Indian Ocean, following advisories from the U.S. government.

In recent weeks, multiple disruptions have affected the Sydney-Johannesburg route, primarily due to late changes in the coordinates and timing for the rocket re-entries, making it challenging to maintain a smooth flight schedule. To alleviate these disruptions, Qantas is actively collaborating with SpaceX to refine the re-entry zones and timeframes.

The airline is committed to keeping passengers informed as early as possible regarding any schedule alterations. Ben Holland, Qantas’s head of operations, highlighted that the unpredictable nature of the rocket launches has resulted in sudden flight delays. He stressed the importance of ongoing communication with SpaceX to effectively tackle these challenges.

As of now, SpaceX has not issued any comments regarding the situation.