ISLAMABAD – Taiwanese airlines were flying freely through Pakistan’s skies but their planes were taking costly detours as Islamabad’s One-China policy prompted restrictions and now Pakistan made U-turn, reopening its airspace to the same airlines and raising questions over what prompted the sudden reversal.
Civil aviation restored overflight permissions for China Airlines and EVA Air, allowing two Taiwanese carriers to resume operations through its airspace after an interruption that began earlier this week.
The decision attracted international attention because Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had publicly linked the restrictions to Pakistan’s support for Beijing’s One-China position.
On Thursday, EVA Air passenger aircraft flying from Taipei to Vienna entered Pakistani airspace, marking the first reported Taiwanese commercial overflight since the disruption.
Earlier, instead of following their usual flight paths, aircraft began travelling through Russian airspace or taking alternative routes across India, other parts of South Asia and the Middle East. The changes meant additional flying time, higher fuel consumption and increased operating costs for airlines already managing complex international routes.
Pakistan’s aviation authorities follow the country’s One-China policy, under which overflight permissions had been granted to airlines from mainland China.
Pakistan has long recognized Beijing as the government of China and maintains no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the reported restrictions introduced an unusual dimension to that diplomatic position.
Pakistan was described in international coverage as the first country to restrict Taiwanese carriers’ overflight access specifically in support of Beijing’s position. While the defence minister’s remarks suggested a deliberate policy restriction, officials familiar with Pakistan’s aviation procedures offered a different explanation.
Pakistan blocks Taiwan Flights from its Airspace to reinforce strategic Support for China
Sources within the Civil Aviation Authority said no formal Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued announcing a prohibition on Taiwanese airlines. A diplomatic source also denied that any such policy decision had been taken, while describing the October 28 authorizations as extensions of overflight permissions.
The newly issued approvals contained no explanation of whether previous authorizations had expired, been withheld or been formally suspended.
Today on October 29, EVA Air Flight 65 entered Pakistani airspace on its journey from Taipei to Vienna, providing the clearest indication that the restrictions had been lifted. However, other Europe-bound services operated by both Taiwanese carriers continued avoiding Pakistan immediately after the restoration, suggesting airlines had not yet fully adjusted their schedules.
Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi confirmed that Pakistani airspace had been closed and subsequently reopened to Taiwanese airlines. He accused Islamabad of sending a dangerous international message by allowing access to commercial aviation routes to become entangled in geopolitical disputes.
Taipei also suspected Chinese influence behind the move, although Taiwanese officials did not publicly present evidence proving Beijing had directed Pakistan to impose the restrictions.
Islamabad remains one of Beijing’s closest strategic partners, with extensive cooperation in defence, trade and infrastructure development. China, meanwhile, continues to assert sovereignty over Taiwan.
