Crew members aboard a passenger jet have claimed they saw a North Korean ballistic missile re-entering Earth’s atmosphere during the repressive state’s latest test firing.

Staff on a Cathay Pacific flight said they observed “what is suspected to be the re-entry” of the projectile over Japan last Wednesday.

The Hong Kong carrier said “the flight was far from the event location,” however, and it was not planning to change its routes.

In a statement to The Independent, it added: “We have been in contact with relevant authorities and industry bodies as well as with other carriers.

“At the moment, no one is changing any routes or operating parameters.

“We remain alert and review the situation as it evolves.”

Pyongyang was believed to have tested a new, more advanced intercontinental ballistic missile in last week’s launch, the Hwasong-15.

North Korea announces test of new long-range missile

Its lofted trajectory took it up to 2,800 miles into space, 10 times further from Earth than the International Space Station.

Following the launch, South Korea and the United States launched large-scale joint aerial drills on Monday.

The annual “Vigilant Ace” exercise will run all week and will include F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters.

It has been condemned as provocative by the North, which views such drills as practice for war.

North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images

The reported sighting of the Hwasong re-entry vehicle by staff on board flight CX893 from San Francisco to Hong Kong would not be the first observation of a space launch from a commercial airliner.