Pakistan bars Taiwanese airlines China Airlines and Eva Air from its airspace under One-China policy

Pakistan has stopped Taiwanese airlines from flying through its airspace, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, in what it called a first for any country. Flight-tracking data show that Taiwan's two big carriers, China Airlines and Eva Air, have not flown over Pakistan since the morning of 25 October 2026, Dawn reported, citing Bloomberg.

What the government said

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg that Pakistan's aviation division follows the One-China policy, which means only mainland China is recognised, and that Pakistan has allowed only Chinese airlines to fly over the country.

No written notice to airmen (NOTAM) or formal order has been made public, and the government has not explained why the step was taken now. China Airlines and Eva Air declined to comment. Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration did not comment on the rerouting.

Stricter than Beijing

The rule goes further than China itself: mainland China lets Taiwanese airlines fly over its territory. Pakistan cut official ties with Taiwan in 1951. On 3 January, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan adheres to the One-China principle and regards Taiwan as part of China, after Chinese military drills around the island.

China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier, and the two countries have deepened ties under the Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC.

What it means for flights

Pakistan sits on one of the main corridors between East Asia and Europe. With Pakistani skies closed to them, Taiwan's carriers have been routing over other parts of South Asia and the Middle East, and Flightradar24 data cited by Bloomberg show at least a dozen of their flights have crossed Russia since Sunday. Taiwanese airlines had avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, although they were never formally barred.

The detours add hours to Taipei to Europe flights and raise fuel bills at a time when oil prices are already high (Brent was above $115 a barrel on Wednesday).

For passengers in Pakistan there is no direct effect: neither airline flies to Pakistan. Travellers who book Asia to Europe trips on Taiwanese carriers through connecting cities may see longer journey times.

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