Australia's Qantas directs flights away from Strait of Hormuz

Australia's flag carrier, Qantas Airways Ltd, said on Friday that its flights over the Middle East would avoid the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman following the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone in the region.

The restriction will mean a slight change to the route for flights between Australia and London, the airline said in a statement. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued an emergency order prohibiting U.S. operators from flying in Iran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman due to heightened tensions.