Qantas plane denied flight path through Iraq

SYDNEY - A passenger aircraft of Australian airline Qantas had to change its flight path after it was denied entry into Iraqi air space, a media report said Tuesday.

The QF32 flight - from London to Singapore - had to divert to Dubai to refuel and change path after Iraq air services Monday said they did not “recognize the authority” that had pre-approved the flight path, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Qantas Tuesday said the incident was “an unusual occurrence”.

A spokesperson said the airline has changed its flight plan for the next week because of “wind patterns” and other factors, and would not be flying over Iraq for now.

Qantas would be discussing with Iraqi authorities as to why the flight was denied entry.