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Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from flying through its airspace in line with its One-China policy, becoming the first country in the world to take such a step, Bloomberg reported.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the move, saying only carriers from mainland China are allowed to fly over Pakistan.
Since then, at least a dozen of their flights between Asia and Europe have been routed over Russia instead. The longer routes add flying time and fuel costs on these services.
Both airlines declined to comment on the change. Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration did not comment on the rerouting either, but said it has never banned airlines from flying over Russia.
Islamabad has recognised Beijing as the sole government of China since the early 1950s and does not have formal ties with Taiwan.
The decision reflects the close economic and military relationship between the two countries.
China has invested heavily in Pakistan under its Belt and Road Initiative, while Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets supplied to Pakistan played a role in the 2025 conflict with India.
Pakistan has also kept its airspace closed to Indian airlines since that conflict, a ban that has reportedly cost Indian carriers around $2 billion. Earlier this month, the government extended that ban till November 24.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the move, saying only carriers from mainland China are allowed to fly over Pakistan.
Taiwanese Flights Now Rerouted
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows that China Airlines and EVA Air have not flown over Pakistan since the morning of October 25.Since then, at least a dozen of their flights between Asia and Europe have been routed over Russia instead. The longer routes add flying time and fuel costs on these services.
Both airlines declined to comment on the change. Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration did not comment on the rerouting either, but said it has never banned airlines from flying over Russia.
Stricter Than China Itself
Pakistan’s restriction goes further than Beijing’s own rules, as mainland China still allows Taiwanese airlines to use its airspace.Islamabad has recognised Beijing as the sole government of China since the early 1950s and does not have formal ties with Taiwan.
The decision reflects the close economic and military relationship between the two countries.
China has invested heavily in Pakistan under its Belt and Road Initiative, while Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets supplied to Pakistan played a role in the 2025 conflict with India.
Pakistan has also kept its airspace closed to Indian airlines since that conflict, a ban that has reportedly cost Indian carriers around $2 billion. Earlier this month, the government extended that ban till November 24.
