Flight Travel News: Pakistan Bars Taiwanese Airlines From Its Airspace, Forcing Flight Rerouting

Published: October 28, 2026

Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace in a move linked to its support for Beijing's One-China policy, according to a Bloomberg report published on October 28 and cited by international media.

The reported restriction has affected flight planning for Taiwan-based carriers China Airlines and EVA Air. Flight-tracking data cited in the reports show that the airlines stopped crossing Pakistani airspace from the morning of October 25, prompting some services between Asia and Europe to use alternative routes.

The development highlights how geopolitical decisions can influence long-haul aviation, affecting route planning, fuel consumption and journey times. However, the impact varies by flight, and the available evidence does not show that every service operated by the two airlines has been rerouted in the same way.

Pakistan's Airspace Restriction Targets Taiwanese Carriers

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg that the country's aviation policy follows the One-China principle and that only airlines from mainland China are permitted to fly over Pakistan.

The reported restriction is notable because it appears to distinguish between airlines based on their political status rather than applying a general closure of Pakistani airspace to flights from Taiwan.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taiwan operates its own government and aviation system. Pakistan maintains close political and economic relations with China and has repeatedly endorsed Beijing's position on Taiwan.

Bloomberg's report, as cited by Dawn and Taiwan's Central News Agency, described Pakistan as the first country to take this type of step against Taiwanese airlines. The precise reason for introducing the restriction at this particular time remains unclear.

No publicly available notice from Pakistan's aviation authority specifying the full terms and duration of the reported restriction was identified in the sources reviewed for this article. China Airlines and EVA Air declined to comment on the reported rerouting, while Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration did not comment specifically on the route changes.

China Airlines and EVA Air Adjust Some Europe-Bound Flights

According to flight-tracking data cited by Bloomberg, China Airlines and EVA Air had stopped flying over Pakistan from October 25. More than a dozen flights between Asia and Europe subsequently used Russian airspace, while other services took routes through parts of South Asia and the Middle East.

The changes affect route planning rather than necessarily causing cancellations. Airlines can select different corridors according to available airspace permissions, weather, winds, fuel requirements and operational considerations.

One example reported by aviation-focused coverage was China Airlines flight CI75 from Taipei to Rome, which used a northern route across Russia. Other flights, including services to different European destinations, continued to use southern corridors.

These differences matter: the available tracking evidence does not establish that all China Airlines and EVA Air flights to Europe are now using Russian airspace.

Why Alternative Routes Can Affect Flight Times

Airlines operating between East Asia and Europe rely on a network of international air corridors. When a route becomes unavailable, flight planners may need to choose a longer path or use a different combination of airspaces.

Some Taiwan–Europe flights previously used southern routes crossing Pakistan and other parts of Asia. Avoiding Pakistani airspace can require aircraft to travel farther south or consider a northern route, depending on the destination and the permissions available.

Flight-tracking analysis of China Airlines flight CI75 to Rome found that its October 24–25 journey took about 14 hours and 16 minutes in the air, approximately 55 minutes longer than a flight on the same route on October 20 using a southern corridor.

This is an individual comparison, not a measure of the impact on every flight. Actual journey times depend on the route, winds, weather, traffic and other operational factors.

The Russian Airspace Factor

The rerouting is particularly significant because many airlines from Europe and North America have avoided Russian airspace since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Taiwanese carriers also stopped using Russian routes during that period, according to reporting on their previous operations.

The recent flight-tracking data indicate that some Taiwanese services have returned to northern routes across Russia. That does not mean every Taiwanese flight has changed its route or that all airlines are able or willing to use Russian airspace.

Airlines must evaluate applicable restrictions, safety considerations, insurance conditions and operational requirements before selecting a route. A northern route may be suitable for one destination but not another.

Could Passengers Face Higher Fares?

Longer routes can increase fuel consumption and operating costs, potentially putting pressure on airline finances. Whether those costs lead to higher ticket prices depends on competition, demand, available capacity and how long the restriction remains in place.

There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that the reported restriction has already caused a general increase in fares between Taiwan and Europe.

Passengers travelling on China Airlines or EVA Air should check their flight status and scheduled arrival times directly with the airline. A change in flight path does not automatically mean that a flight has been cancelled or delayed.

What Happens Next?

The longer-term effect will depend on whether Pakistan maintains the reported restriction and how the affected airlines adapt their route planning.

Further official clarification from Pakistani aviation authorities, Taiwan's aviation regulator or the airlines could establish the scope and duration of the measure. Until then, flight-tracking data provide evidence of route changes, but do not by themselves establish the full legal terms of the restriction.

The episode demonstrates how geopolitical decisions can influence international airline operations even when the airports at either end of a route remain open.

Sources

Flight Travel News distinguishes reported developments from independently confirmed operational details. Flight routes and schedules may change as further information becomes available.