Multiple Asian airlines announced on Wednesday that they were cancelling or rerouting flights to and from Europe due to escalating military conflict between India and Pakistan.
India launched strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, prompting Pakistan to respond by reportedly downing five Indian fighter jets. The confrontation marks the most serious flare-up between the nuclear-armed rivals in over 20 years.
Taiwan’s EVA Air stated it would reroute its Europe-bound flights to avoid airspace affected by the conflict, citing safety concerns.
“One flight from Vienna will be diverted back to that city, while a flight from Taipei to Milan will be diverted to Vienna for refuelling before continuing on to its destination,” the airline said in a statement to Reuters.
Korean Air confirmed that from Wednesday, it began rerouting its Seoul Incheon–Dubai flights, now using a southern route over Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, instead of its previous route through Pakistani airspace.
Thai Airways announced it would begin diverting flights bound for Europe and South Asia starting early Wednesday morning, cautioning that the changes might cause delays.
Taiwan’s China Airlines also activated its contingency protocols. “A series of measures have been taken to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew,” it said, without providing further details.
Taoyuan International Airport’s website indicated that China Airlines’ direct flight to London scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled.
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, most Europe-bound flights from Taiwan passed over Russian airspace. However, after Taiwan joined Western sanctions against Moscow, its airlines have been barred from doing so and instead route flights over India, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
