Debris from SpaceX rocket re-entries led Qantas and South African Airways to adjust flight schedules in the Southern Indian Ocean, causing delays primarily on routes between Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Sydney Kingsford Smith.
Qantas operates a six times weekly A380-800 service, which has faced delays due to late notice on rocket re-entries provided by the US government, impacting operations over the sub-Antarctic region.
South African Airways typically operates a five times weekly A340-300 flight to Perth International, but has reported no disruptions so far, as their flight paths do not conflict with the rocket re-entry areas.
SpaceX has conducted about 440 launches since 2006 and plans 150 more this year; while rocket boosters return in a controlled manner, some payloads burn up during re-entry which can affect air traffic safety in less populated regions like the Southern Indian Ocean.
