Pak bans Taiwan airlines over One-China policy. Even China hasn't done that

Pakistan banned Taiwanese commercial aircraft from using its airspace. The restriction applies to Taiwan’s two major carriers, China Airlines Ltd and EVA Airways Corp. It affects established routes linking Asia with Europe, where Pakistani airspace can provide a useful passage.

Flight-tracking data showed that neither carrier had flown over Pakistan since the morning of October 25. At least a dozen flights later took longer routes over Russia, while others used parts of South Asia and the Middle East. The airlines had to change their paths rather than cancel the services.

The ban matters because Pakistan permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over its territory. Longer paths require more fuel and increase operating costs. They can also lengthen journeys for passengers. The article reported no official response from the airlines or Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration at the time of filing.

The One-China policy is the position that Taiwan belongs to China. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taiwan governs itself and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. Because the dispute involves Taiwan’s political status, countries’ policies toward Taiwan can carry diplomatic meaning.

Pakistan’s aviation division applied that position directly. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said only mainland China was allowed to use Pakistani airspace. Other examples in the article include Somalia rejecting Taiwanese passports and Kenya denying Taiwanese scholars access to an event, both while citing the One-China position.

The policy therefore affects more than formal recognition. It can influence air routes, travel documents, official visits, and access to events. Beijing has pressed other governments to support its position. Pakistan’s decision gives that pressure a practical effect on Taiwanese commercial flights, while also highlighting Islamabad’s close relationship with Beijing.

Pakistan’s move is unusual because it goes beyond diplomatic statements or restrictions on Taiwanese documents. The article identifies Pakistan as the first country to take this step against Taiwan. It also says Beijing itself allows Taiwanese carriers to operate in Chinese airspace.

The contrast is clear in the flights affected. China Airlines and EVA Air stopped using Pakistani airspace after October 25, and at least a dozen Asia-Europe flights were tracked taking longer routes. Pakistan’s aviation division said only mainland Chinese airlines could fly over the country.

This places Islamabad ahead of Beijing in restricting Taiwanese commercial aviation. The decision demonstrates strong support for China’s One-China position and reinforces the countries’ “iron-clad friendship.” It also creates a notable tension in regional diplomacy, since Pakistan has been cultivating closer ties with the United States, which supports Taiwan’s defence.

When aircraft cannot use a shorter established corridor, they must travel farther around the restricted airspace. That usually adds time in the air and increases fuel use. For airlines, more fuel and longer aircraft operating hours raise the cost of each flight.

The article gives a direct example. China Airlines and EVA Air moved at least a dozen Asia-Europe flights onto longer routes over Russia after October 25. Other aircraft were routed over parts of South Asia and the Middle East. These changes preserved service but made the journeys less efficient.

The financial effect comes during already difficult conditions. Benchmark crude prices were above $115 a barrel at the time of the report. Higher fuel consumption therefore adds to existing expenses. Passengers may face longer journeys, while airlines must absorb higher costs or eventually reconsider schedules and routes if the restriction continues.

Taiwanese airlines largely avoided Russian airspace after February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The article says carriers feared that flying over an active conflict zone could expose aircraft to missiles and air-defence systems. Many Asian, European, and North American airlines made similar changes.

Pakistan’s ban forced a partial reversal of those routing choices. Flightradar24 data showed at least a dozen China Airlines and EVA Air flights taking longer routes over Russia. Other aircraft used corridors over South Asia and the Middle East. These alternatives keep flights operating but do not offer the same combination of distance, cost, and perceived safety.

Route availability is therefore important for long-distance airlines. A path may be geographically possible but operationally unattractive because it adds fuel burn, time, or security concerns. The article reports no official response from the airlines or Taiwan’s aviation authority about the new routing arrangements.

Pakistan’s willingness to restrict Taiwanese airlines is linked to its deep relationship with China. The countries have a close economic and military partnership, and China has channelled billions of dollars into Pakistani infrastructure and other projects through the Belt and Road Initiative.

That partnership gives the One-China policy practical importance in Islamabad. Pakistan’s defence minister said the aviation division permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistani airspace. The decision extends diplomatic support for Beijing into commercial aviation and directly affects Taiwan’s two major carriers.

The choice is notable because Pakistan is also cultivating closer ties with the United States. Washington has long supported Taiwan’s defence against China’s military and diplomatic pressure. The article does not say that the US relationship caused a response or policy change. It shows instead that Pakistan is balancing broader international ties while giving especially strong backing to China.

International airspace is not simply an open road for every airline. A country generally has authority over the airspace above its territory and can decide which foreign aircraft may cross it. Airlines normally rely on permissions, agreements, and operating rules when planning international routes.

That authority is the mechanism behind Pakistan’s decision. Its defence minister said the aviation division followed the One-China policy and allowed only mainland Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistan. Taiwanese carriers therefore had to avoid the country, even though they were operating international commercial services.

The article focuses on the political reason rather than explaining aviation law in detail. It shows the practical result: China Airlines and EVA Air rerouted Asia-Europe flights, including paths over Russia, South Asia, and the Middle East. The restriction demonstrates how control of national airspace can turn a diplomatic position into a direct operational barrier.