Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from its airspace under its One-China policy Pakistan stance, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed. He told reporters that the aviation division follows the One-China policy and that only mainland Chinese carriers are allowed to fly over the country.
Reports say the step is the first of its kind by any country. Flight-tracking data show that China Airlines and EVA Air have not flown over Pakistan since the morning of 25 October. Since then, at least a dozen of their services between Asia and Europe have been sent over Russia instead, lengthening journeys and raising fuel costs. Both airlines declined to comment. Taiwan’s civil aviation authority did not comment on the rerouting but said it has never banned carriers from flying over Russia.
What the minister said
Asif said the aviation division follows the One China policy and that only mainland China is allowed. He added that Pakistan has permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over its territory. That framing matches long-standing diplomatic practice: Islamabad has recognised Beijing as the sole government of China since the early 1950s and does not maintain formal ties with Taiwan.
The One-China policy Pakistan applies here is stricter than Beijing’s own airspace rules. Mainland China still allows Taiwanese airlines to use Chinese airspace, while Islamabad’s new bar closes Pakistani skies to those same carriers.
Ties with Beijing and other airspace bans
Officials and analysts link the decision to Pakistan’s close economic and military relationship with China. China has invested heavily in Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative, and 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. That ban has reportedly cost Indian carriers around $2 billion. Earlier this month, the government extended the Indian airlines ban until 24 November.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Early 1950s: Pakistan recognises Beijing as the sole government of China and keeps no formal ties with Taiwan.
- 2025: Conflict with India; Chinese-made J-10C jets supplied to Pakistan play a role; Pakistani airspace remains closed to Indian airlines afterwards.
- Early October 2026 (earlier this month): Government extends the Indian airlines airspace ban until 24 November.
- Morning of 25 October 2026: China Airlines and EVA Air stop flying over Pakistan, according to flight-tracking data.
- From 25 October (Sunday) onward: At least a dozen of their Asia–Europe flights are routed over Russia instead.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ne Taiwan ki airlines ko apni hawaai hadood se guzarne se rok diya hai. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif ke mutabiq sirf mainland China ki airlines Pakistan ke upar ur sakti hain. 25 October se China Airlines aur EVA Air Russia ke raste Asia–Europe flights chala rahi hain. Yeh faisla One-China policy ke mutabiq hai, jisme Pakistan Beijing ko China ki wahid hukumat manta hai.
