In support of One-China policy, Pakistan bans Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace: Report

Pakistan has banned Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace as part of its strict adherence to Beijing’s One-China policy, making it the first country to take such a step, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

“The aviation division follows the One China policy, only mainland China is allowed,” the outlet cited Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif as saying.

He said that Islamabad now only permits airlines from the People’s Republic of Chinese to fly over Pakistan, excluding Taiwan.

According to flight tracking data, Taiwanese carriers began rerouting flights over the weekend, with China Airlines Ltd. and Eva Airways Corp. no longer flying over Pakistan since Sunday.

The two carriers declined to comment to Bloomberg, while Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration did not address the rerouting.

Islamabad's restrictions are even stricter than those imposed by China, which allows Taiwanese airlines to fly over its territory.

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN