Pakistan Allows Taiwanese Airlines Back Into Its Airspace After Sudden Ban

Pakistan has reversed its decision to exclude Taiwanese airlines from its airspace, granting China Airlines and EVA Air permission to resume overflights just hours after its defense minister justified the restrictions under the country's One China policy.

Civil aviation documents dated October 28 authorized both carriers to use Pakistani airspace until March 27, 2027, according to documents seen by Bloomberg and Dawn.

The government offered no explanation for the reversal. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who also oversees aviation, made no immediate further comment.

One China Policy Cited for Initial Ban

Earlier on Wednesday, Asif confirmed that Pakistan had restricted Taiwanese carriers from using its airspace, explicitly linking the decision to Islamabad's position on Beijing.

"The aviation division follows the One China policy — only mainland China is allowed," Asif told Bloomberg.

He also said Pakistan had permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over its territory.

The restriction was reportedly the first such move by any country against Taiwanese carriers. It went further than Beijing's own approach, since China allows Taiwanese airlines to use its airspace.

Pakistan recognizes the People's Republic of China and calls Taiwan an inalienable part of China, and it maintains close military and economic ties with Beijing.

Flights Diverted Through Russia

The restrictions had already disrupted airline operations before Wednesday's reversal.

China Airlines and EVA Air operated 14 flights over Pakistan on October 24. By the morning of October 25, both carriers had stopped using the country's airspace.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24, cited by Bloomberg, showed that at least a dozen flights between Asia and Europe were redirected through Russian airspace since Sunday.

The diversions represented a change for carriers that had largely avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, although Taiwan has never formally banned its use.

China Airlines and EVA Air declined to comment, and Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration did not comment on the rerouting.

Taiwan Condemns Politicization of Airspace

Taiwan's foreign ministry strongly condemned Pakistan's position, accusing Islamabad of following China's line, undermining Taiwan's sovereignty and politicizing and weaponizing airspace, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.

The ministry reiterated that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country that has never been subordinate to the People's Republic of China.

Taipei said it would stay in close contact with the transport authorities and respect airlines' route decisions based on flight safety, journey time and cost.

The dispute comes amid wider pressure on the island. Earlier this month, a Chinese militia boat was detected off Taiwan's east coast for the first time, and U.S. officials reportedly assess that China is unlikely to invade Taiwan before 2028.

India Questions Diplomatic Restrictions

India also weighed in, with foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reportedly arguing that airline routing should depend on commercial considerations and civil aviation permissions rather than the diplomatic restrictions of a third country.

EVA Air's planned direct service between Taipei and Delhi, due to begin December 1, was reportedly unaffected.

Beijing made no immediate public comment on Pakistan's initial restrictions or their withdrawal.

The October 28 authorization restores Pakistani overflight access for both Taiwanese carriers through March 2027, leaving the reason for Islamabad's abrupt change of position unexplained.