Pakistan’s stance on airspace access changed within hours on Oct. 28. Earlier that day, Defense Minister and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg that Pakistan’s aviation policy follows the “One China” policy and that only mainland Chinese airlines were permitted to fly through Pakistani airspace.
Later, documents dated Oct. 28 and cited by Bloomberg, as relayed by CNA, showed that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority had approved China Airlines and EVA Air to use the country’s airspace for both passenger and cargo flights. The approval runs from Oct. 28, 2026, to March 27, 2027. Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper said it had seen the same document.
Approval document did not explain whether policy had changed
Arab News reported that the approval document did not mention the earlier restriction and did not say whether it reflected a policy reversal. The report also said Asif did not immediately respond.
Before the document emerged, China Airlines and EVA Air had already stopped flying over Pakistan from the morning of Oct. 25. According to flight-tracking site Flightradar24, at least more than 10 flights between Asia and Europe were rerouted over Russian airspace, including China Airlines flights to Rome and EVA Air services to Munich, Paris, and Milan.
First flights over Russian airspace in four years
CNA reported that Taiwanese carriers had largely avoided Russian airspace after the Russia-Ukraine war began. This marked the first time in four years that they had flown through it again. Neither China Airlines nor EVA Air commented on the rerouting.
The report added that industry sources speculated the change was linked to Pakistan’s airspace not being open, but whether it was tied to the “One China” policy could not be confirmed.
Taiwan government responds
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said late on Oct. 28, in response to questions from CNA, that it strongly refuted and condemned what it described as Pakistan’s “politicization and weaponization of airspace.” The ministry said it would respect airlines’ route planning based on flight safety, travel time, and cost considerations.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Lee Hui-chih said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting on Oct. 29 that the government expressed “deep regret” over what she described as Pakistan siding with China and politicizing airspace. She said the national security and diplomatic teams were tracking the situation and would take appropriate action.
Transport authorities say approval period matches winter schedule
Taiwan transport authorities said the approved period, from Oct. 28 to March 27 next year, matches the international aviation industry’s winter schedule. Route applications are filed seasonally, and a new application for the summer schedule would be submitted in March, which the authorities described as standard international practice.
Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai said on Oct. 28 that airlines apply for routes over specific countries on their own, while the civil aviation authority regulates the points of departure and destination.
India says Taiwan-India direct flights are unaffected
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a CNA reporter on Oct. 28 that “we have a different view” from Pakistan. He said route operations should depend on commercial considerations and civil aviation approvals, not diplomatic restrictions imposed by a third country.
According to ETtoday, Jaiswal said direct flights between Taiwan and India have not been affected. EVA Air is scheduled to launch direct flights between Taoyuan and Delhi starting Dec. 1.