A Virgin Australia pilot alerted Australian authorities about a live-fire drill by Chinese naval ships last week in the Tasman Sea that forced 49 flights to change their paths, Australia¡¯s air traffic control agency head told a parliamentary committee.

Airlines including Qantas, Emirates, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia modified flight paths on Friday after China warned them about a rare live-fire exercise in international waters between Australia and New Zealand.

Both countries have raised concerns with China saying they did not receive adequate notice from China¡¯s navy about the military exercise off the coast of Australia¡¯s New South Wales state.