Philippine Airlines to divert flights to avoid North Korean rocket launch

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines says it will change the flight paths of several planes to avoid a rocket North Korea is expected to launch sometime in the next week.

The Philippine flag-carrier said Monday that a dozen of its flights from the United States, Japan and South Korea will fly safely away from the rocket's possible path to protect its passengers. The airline says there are no plans to cancel any flights.

North Korea says it is launching a satellite between Thursday and April 16. It denies claims by the U.S., Philippines and other countries that the launch is intended to test long-range missile technology.

Philippine officials have declared a no-fly zone and urged ships and fishing boats to avoid northeastern territorial waters where rocket debris may fall.