Commercial Fixed Wing
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Human Factors; Procedure
Flight crew on Aircraft X asked of any confirmed reports of a missile attack against Japan. [Later] Aircraft Y sent a message about missile launch. I checked [the internet] and confirmed that a missile had been launched. I contacted section manager; chief dispatcher asking for information. The director came to the pacific quad to advise launch had occurred; already in the sea; no action; no response. I asked if his source could give us the landing location of the rocket. When the director returned about 10 min later; we got info stating the missile landed approximately 1100 miles east of Japan coast; which would have covered all routes from the Alaska area. I set up a plan with the flights that based on a waypoint of a waypoint to decide if we would turn [aircraft] back. During the 10 min; we checked again with [the internet] and saw landing information. If corporate security has information of live fire; the dispatcher should have the information to pass on the flight crews. We had two flights advised by passengers of missile launches that crossed their routes of flight. Dispatch was given no information until passengers said something to the flight attendants onboard.
Air carrier Dispatcher reported two flights reported passengers observed a missile launch that crossed the aircraft's route of flight. Dispatcher reported no information was provided until after the fact.