A First in Aviation Diplomacy
Pakistan has shut its airspace to airlines from Taiwan, becoming the first country to impose such a restriction explicitly in support of Beijing's One China policy. The decision surfaced after aviation observers noticed Taiwanese carriers suddenly taking longer routes to Europe, bypassing Pakistani territory entirely.
According to Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif, the aviation division permits only mainland Chinese airlines to operate in its airspace. "The aviation division follows the One China policy - only mainland China is allowed," Asif confirmed this week. "We have permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistan."
The closure represents a new escalation in how countries express diplomatic alignment with Beijing. Whilst many nations recognise the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government, none had previously barred Taiwanese carriers from their airspace on those grounds alone.
Longer Routes Through Russia
The practical effect has been immediate. Since late October, at least a dozen Asia-Europe flights operated by Taiwanese airlines have rerouted entirely through Russian airspace. A China Airlines flight from Taipei to Rome on 24 October, for instance, flew north over Russia rather than taking its usual path through India, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, according to flight-tracking data.
The detours add hours to journey times and increase fuel costs. They also force Taiwanese carriers into airspace that most Western and many Asian airlines have avoided since early 2022, though Russia has not formally banned any carrier. The rerouting underscores the limited options available to Taiwan's aviation industry, which already cannot overfly mainland China for political reasons.
An All-Weather Partnership
Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the People's Republic of China in 1951, and the two nations describe their relationship as an "all-weather" partnership. Islamabad has minimal engagement with Taipei and opposes Taiwanese independence. In January, Pakistan's foreign office described Taiwan as an "inalienable part" of China and reaffirmed its commitment to the One China principle.
That principle, which Beijing considers a precondition for diplomatic relations, holds that there is only one China, that Taiwan is part of its territory, and that the People's Republic is the sole legitimate government. Most countries, including the United States, acknowledge Beijing's position without formally endorsing it, and many maintain unofficial ties with Taipei.
Taiwan's Shrinking Diplomatic Space
Taiwan, a self-governed island of 23 million people, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and enjoys de facto independence. Yet only 12 countries maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, most of them small developing nations such as Belize and Tuvalu.
The airspace closure adds another layer to the constraints Taiwan's airlines face. They are already barred from Chinese airspace, and now a key corridor through South Asia has closed. The result is a narrowing set of economically viable routes, particularly for long-haul services to Europe and the Middle East.
What It Means for Travellers
Passengers on Taiwanese carriers flying to Europe should expect longer flight times and possible schedule adjustments as airlines settle into the new routing. The diversions through Russian airspace may also raise concerns among travellers wary of overflying the region, though the flights remain technically and legally permissible.
For the broader industry, Pakistan's move sets a precedent. If other countries with close ties to Beijing follow suit, Taiwanese airlines could find themselves squeezed into an even smaller operational footprint, with knock-on effects for ticket prices, frequencies and connectivity.
The closure is a reminder that air travel remains subject to political currents. Routes that seem fixed can shift overnight, and passengers often bear the cost.
