Air Force flight to Antarctica turns back after space activity warning | CNN

A U.S. Air Force flight headed for Antarctica returned to Christchurch, New Zealand, after New Zealand authorities issued a NOTAM warning of “potentially hazardous” space activity. The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it was alerted by Russia’s State Air Traffic Management Corporation, which notified the agency about a planned missile launch and associated potential hazard to international airspace within New Zealand’s Oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR). The Oceanic FIR covers about 30 million square kilometers and spans one of the largest areas of airspace globally. A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III (ICE28) departed around 9 a.m. Tuesday and turned back just before 11:30 a.m. CAA said the NOTAM does not prevent aircraft from entering the area; operators decide using available information.