Three Asian airlines are making changes to flight paths to avoid a North Korean rocket launch.

为避开本周朝鲜的火箭发射，三家亚洲航空公司更改了部分飞行路线。

North Korean officials say preparations for the rocket launch are on track and fuelling will begin soon
Philippine Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways¹ (ANA) have announced changes to several routes.

Pyongyang says the rocket, to be launched between 12 to 16 April, will put a satellite into orbit.

Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesman said US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had spoken to his South Korean counterpart on the phone about the launch.

"Both leaders would regard a missile launch by North Korea as a serious provocation²（挑衅，激怒） and a violation³ of North Korea's international obligations and standing⁴ UN Security Council resolutions," the spokesman said.

Pyongyang said the launch of a ''working satellite'' is for research purposes and to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of its late leader Kim Il-sung. But opponents of the move fear it is a disguised test of long-range missile technology.

Route changes

Philippine Airlines said in a statement that as the splashdown（在海中溅落） area of the rocket's second stage was anticipated to be ''just east of Luzon'', all flights passing through the area during the launch period would have their routes adjusted.

These include about a dozen flights between Manila and the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

Philippine officials have also declared a no-fly zone and warned ships and fishing boats to avoid the area where rocket debris⁵ could fall, said an Associated Press report.

In a notice posted on its website, JAL said that the flight paths of four flights between Tokyo and Manila, Jakarta and Singapore would be adjusted, leading to an increase in flying time by five to 20 minutes.

Its domestic flights have not been affected⁶ and the airline has also made provisions（规定） for passengers booked on the affected flights to change their reservations.

ANA announced changes to the flight paths of five flights between Tokyo and Singapore, Manila and Jakarta, but said that flight schedules will not be affected.