Pakistan Bars Taiwanese Airlines From Airspace, Reroutes Flights Over Russia
Flight-tracking data showed at least 10 Europe-bound services were rerouted through Russian airspace before Pakistan restored overflight rights, officials and reports said.
- Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Wednesday that Pakistan has closed its airspace to Taiwanese airlines, stating only mainland Chinese carriers are permitted to overfly the country under its 'One-China' policy.
- Islamabad's move reflects its 'all-weather' strategic partnership with Beijing, which describes Taiwan as an 'inalienable part' of China. The restriction escalates the 'One-China' principle from diplomacy into commercial aviation policy.
- Flight-Tracking data shows at least 12 Asia-Europe flights operated by China Airlines and EVA Air have bypassed Pakistan since October 25. These services now route through Russian airspace to avoid the newly restricted territory.
- Official documents dated Wednesday approved passenger and cargo flights for the two Taiwanese carriers through March 27, 2027, creating uncertainty about the measure's enforcement and actual duration.
- No other nation has explicitly closed its airspace to Taiwanese commercial airlines under the 'One-China' policy, marking an unprecedented precedent. The restriction is stricter than Beijing's own treatment of Taiwanese carriers, with long-term operational consequences remaining unclear.
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The Taiwanese airlines Eva Air and China Airlines have been using Russian airspace for most of their flights to Europe for a few days now. The reason for this is in another country. But the situation has changed again.
"We clearly suspect that China is behind this," Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi, quoted by France Presse, said after confirming that Pakistan closed and subsequently reopened its airspace to Taiwan's airlines.
The Japan Times
Taiwan says Pakistan briefly closed airspace to Taiwanese flights
The island suspects China of being behind the unprecedented move.
Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday (October 28) granted permission for Taiwan's China Airlines and EVA Air to use the country's airspace. Just hours earlier, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told the media that Pakistan, in accordance with the "One China" policy, would not allow Taiwanese airlines to fly over its airspace. Following the restoration of permission, Pakistan has not yet explained the reasons for the pr…
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan will allow two Taiwanese airlines to use their airspace, according to official documents, hours after a report according to which Islamabad had banned them from doing so in support of the “one China” policy of...
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