Pakistan Bars Taiwanese Airlines From Its Airspace Under One-China Policy

ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace, citing its support for Beijing’s One-China policy, in a move that has forced carriers to reroute flights between Asia and Europe.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the restriction to Bloomberg News, saying the country’s aviation division followed the One-China policy.

“The aviation division follows the One China policy — only mainland China is allowed,” Asif was quoted as saying. “We have permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistan.”

Flight-tracking data cited in the report showed that China Airlines and EVA Air had stopped flying over Pakistani airspace from the morning of Oct 25. At least a dozen flights operated by the two Taiwanese carriers between Asia and Europe had subsequently flown over Russia.

The airlines declined to comment, while Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration did not comment on the rerouting. It said, however, that it had never imposed a ban on its carriers using Russian airspace.

The restriction reportedly makes Pakistan the first country to bar Taiwanese airlines from its airspace specifically on the basis of the One-China policy. It also goes beyond mainland China’s restrictions, as Chinese airspace remains available to Taiwanese carriers for overflights, according to the report.

The rerouting could affect flight times and operating costs, as airlines adjust routes to avoid Pakistani airspace. Taiwanese carriers have generally avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although the latest flights indicate that routes over Russia are now being used.

Pakistan’s decision comes amid its longstanding strategic partnership with China, which has invested billions of dollars in the country under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and remains a major supplier of military equipment to Islamabad.

Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Beijing on Taiwan. On Jan 2, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad would continue to adhere to the One-China principle and regard Taiwan as an “inalienable part of China,” describing the two countries as “iron-clad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners.”

The statement followed Chinese military exercises around Taiwan that included live-fire drills and simulated attacks on maritime targets.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan rejects that claim and maintains its own elected government.

The reason for Pakistan’s latest airspace restriction has not been independently established beyond the explanation provided by its defence minister.