North Korea missile

The company confirmed to the BBC that crew witnessed "what is suspected to be the re-entry" of the missile into the earth's atmosphere.

It added that as things stand no flight routes were being modified.

On 29 November North Korea tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile it said could reach anywhere in the US.

The test-launch raised tension further with South Korea and the US, who on Monday began their largest ever joint air exercise, which the North has branded an "all-out provocation".

'Blew up and fell apart'

That follows reports that last week's ballistic missile flew within about 100 kilometres of an Air France flight between Paris and Tokyo.

RNZI reports the Tokyo route is the standard way for travel between France and Noumea.

Air France said it was the first time it faced such a risk and had therefore widened the security zone around North Korea