Airlines warned of missile threat under commercial flight paths

Qantas isn't commenting on whether it will alter routes over the Middle East following advice from European authorities that missiles being fired into Syria could cross under the flight path of passenger planes.

The European Aviation Safety Agency says it has been informed of "several launches of missiles from warships" in the Caspian Sea into Syria.

"Before reaching Syria, such missiles are necessarily crossing the airspace above Caspian Sea, Iran and Iraq, below flight routes which are used by commercial transport aeroplanes," the bulletin dated October 9 says.

A Qantas spokesman said the airline always monitored and consulted with the intelligence community on safety risks.

"We have alternative flight paths in place if we decided they were necessary," he said.