Cathay Pacific, the flag carrier of Hong Kong, has ceased all flights over Iran and the Caspian Sea in response to a warning issued by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) about missiles being fired at Syria, said a report.

The airline said it had received safety advisories from both the EASA and the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), according to a report in NDTV, but added that neither had made specific recommendations to carriers.

Cathay already has a long-term policy not to overfly Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Syria, the report stated.

EASA stepped in as Russia intensifies its air campaign against Islamic militants in Syria. Last week Moscow launched a salvo of cruise missiles from its warships in the Caspian.

In its safety bulletin released last week, EASA said "missiles en-route to Syria crossed airspace in Iran and Iraq below flight routes used by commercial transport aeroplanes”.

The missiles had been launched from the Caspian Sea, it said, adding that the advisory was to "create awareness" for airspace users.

"In view of the situation in the region, Cathay Pacific suspended all flights over Iran and Caspian Sea since last Thursday until further notice," the report said quoting a statement from the airline.

Australian airline Qantas, which flies over Iran on its Dubai to London leg, has chosen not to suspend flights over the region saying no recommendations or changes were made to do so, the report said.

News of air safety fears arose as investigators on Tuesday issued their final report into the fate of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, concluding it was shot down by a Russian-made BUK missile fired from war-torn eastern Ukraine.