Story perspectives

Pakistan temporarily blocks Taiwan flights, rerouting via Russia

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Pakistan closed its airspace to Taiwan's China Airlines and EVA Air, then restored access.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the ban followed Pakistan’s One-China policy.
The ban, starting Oct. 25, 2026, forced at least a dozen flights to reroute via Russia, raising travel time and fuel costs.
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee condemned the closure as politicizing airspace.
Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi blamed China, calling the action a dangerous precedent.

Summary

Starlux Airlines launched its first European route to Prague in 2026, expanding Taiwan’s outbound market.
Starlux plans to add Barcelona and Zurich services in 2027, confronting identical routing limits.
China Airlines Flight CI75 first used Russian airspace on 25 October 2026, adding fuel use and longer travel times.
Analysts say the forced Russian corridor may permanently alter Taiwanese long-haul network strategies.

History

During the 1995-96 Taiwan Strait crisis, the PRC fired dozens of missiles near Kaohsiung and Keelung, prompting President Bill Clinton to dispatch the carriers USS Independence and USS Nimitz with 70 aircraft to deter escalation. The episode showed how China could weaponize airspace, a tactic echoed in Pakistan’s October 2026 ban on China Airlines and EVA Air under its One-China policy.

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During the 1995-96 Taiwan Strait crisis, the PRC fired dozens of missiles near Kaohsiung and Keelung, prompting President Bill Clinton to dispatch the carriers USS Independence and USS Nimitz with 70 aircraft to deter escalation. The episode showed how China could weaponize airspace, a tactic echoed in Pakistan’s October 2026 ban on China Airlines and EVA Air under its One-China policy.

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