Pakistan Reverses Airspace Ban on Taiwanese Airlines Within Hours

Pakistan has lifted its ban on Taiwanese airlines using its airspace, a decision that came just hours after the restriction was first reported, according to Bloomberg citing documents dated October 28. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) granted permission to China Airlines and EVA Air to utilize Pakistani airspace from October 28, 2026, to March 27, 2027.

The move reversed an earlier ban imposed by Pakistan in line with its One-China policy, which restricted only mainland Chinese airlines from flying over the country. Previously, airlines like China Airlines and EVA Air had been rerouted to fly over Russia due to the airspace closure, adding significant flying time and fuel costs to their operations.

Taiwanese airlines had avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, although they were never formally prohibited from using it. The restriction imposed by Pakistan went beyond Beijing's own rules, as mainland China still permits Taiwanese carriers to utilize its airspace. While Pakistan's ban on Indian airlines remains in effect until November 24, the reversal of the Taiwanese airline ban marks a notable shift in the country's aviation policies.