Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace in a move aimed at reinforcing Beijing’s One-China policy, disrupting flight routes between Asia and Europe. The restriction has forced Taiwan’s two major carriers to alter their flight paths, increasing travel distances and potentially adding to fuel consumption and operating costs.
The reported decision has drawn attention because mainland China itself has not imposed a comparable blanket restriction on Taiwanese airlines flying over its territory, placing Islamabad’s latest move at the centre of a wider debate over Beijing’s efforts to limit Taiwan’s international presence.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the decision in an interview with Bloomberg News on Wednesday. “The aviation division follows the One China policy — only mainland China is allowed,” Asif told Bloomberg. “We have permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistan.”
According to Bloomberg’s reporting, flight-tracking data showed that China Airlines Ltd and EVA Airways Corp had not flown through Pakistani airspace since the morning of October 25.
The move comes as China continues to press governments around the world to recognise its claim that Taiwan is part of its territory. Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim and maintains its own democratically elected government.
Taiwanese Airlines Reroute Flights Between Asia and Europe
Pakistan’s airspace restrictions have disrupted established routes used by Taiwanese airlines operating long-haul services between Asia and Europe.
Bloomberg reported that at least a dozen flights operated by China Airlines and EVA Air had taken longer routes over Russia since Sunday, October 25, according to flight-tracking data from Flightradar24.
Neither airline nor Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration had issued an official response at the time of the report. Bloomberg also sought comment from China’s foreign ministry.
The development presents an additional challenge for Taiwanese carriers, which have largely avoided Russian airspace since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Many international airlines altered their flight paths following the invasion because of security concerns and restrictions affecting access to Russian airspace.
With Pakistani airspace no longer available to them, Taiwanese carriers may need to rely on alternative corridors through Russia, other parts of South Asia or the Middle East, depending on individual flight routes and operational requirements.
Longer journeys can increase fuel consumption, crew-related expenses and other operating costs. These additional expenses may put further pressure on airlines already dealing with volatile fuel prices.
Why Pakistan’s Decision Matters to Beijing
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has sought to restrict the island’s international diplomatic recognition. Taiwan, however, governs itself and rejects Beijing’s claim that it falls under Chinese sovereignty.
Pakistan’s reported restrictions extend this diplomatic position into commercial aviation, potentially affecting the operations of airlines based in Taiwan.
The move also highlights Islamabad’s close strategic relationship with Beijing. The two countries maintain extensive economic, military and diplomatic ties, with Pakistan describing their relationship as an all-weather partnership.
Pakistan ended official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1951 in favour of closer ties with the People’s Republic of China. Its latest reported decision represents a further practical expression of that policy.
Other Countries Have Also Taken Measures Against Taiwan
Pakistan’s reported action comes amid other moves by governments to limit Taiwan’s international engagement.
In April 2026, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar reportedly withdrew overflight permissions for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, forcing him to postpone a planned visit to Eswatini.
Somalia also stopped accepting Taiwanese passports from April 30, 2025, while Kenya reportedly denied Taiwanese scholars access to a pre-conference event in Mombasa in June 2026, citing its One-China position.
These measures differ in scope from Pakistan’s reported aviation restriction. Passport and travel-document policies affect the movement of individuals, while an airspace restriction can directly alter the routes available to commercial aircraft.
Pakistan-China Ties and the One-China Policy
Pakistan and China have developed a close economic and military partnership over several decades. Chinese investment in infrastructure and other projects, including those associated with the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, has strengthened their economic relationship.
China is also a major creditor to Pakistan, which owes it billions of dollars.
The reported airspace decision underscores how the relationship extends beyond traditional diplomatic statements into policies that can affect international transportation and commercial operations.
For Taiwan’s airlines, the immediate concern is the need to adapt established flight routes. For Pakistan and China, the development highlights Islamabad’s support for Beijing’s position on Taiwan, although the long-term operational and diplomatic consequences remain to be seen.