(Photo/huanqiu.com)

HONG KONG, Oct. 14 -- Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has suspended flights over Iran and the Caspian Sea over missile alerts, the airline said on Wednesday.

The suspension came after the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA) issued a warning about missiles being fired at Syria.

The EASA stepped in as Russia intensified an air strike on Islamic State militants in Syria. Last week Moscow launched a salvo of cruise missiles from its warships in the Caspian Sea.

The airline said it had suspended flights in response to the dangers. "In view of the situation in the region, Cathay Pacific suspended all flights over Iran and Caspian Sea since last Thursday until further notice," it said in a statement.

The airline already has a long-term policy not to fly over Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Syria, the statement added.

However, Australian carrier Qantas said on Wednesday that it had chosen not to suspend flights over the area.