TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan have created ripple effects reaching as far as East Asia, disrupting air travel between Taiwan and Europe. Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours following an Indian airstrike in the contested Kashmir region, forcing Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the island's main international gateway, to announce flight rerouting and delays on Wednesday (May 7) as airlines scrambled to ensure passenger safety.
The sudden airspace closure has affected at least 10 flights, including key China Airlines (中華航空) European routes connecting Taipei with Frankfurt and Prague. According to official notifications posted on the Taoyuan Airport website, both China Airlines and EVA Air (長榮航空), Taiwan's two largest international carriers, have been forced to cancel or reschedule several of their long-haul European services in response to the crisis.
In a statement released to passengers, EVA Air officials pledged to continuously monitor the evolving situation in South Asia, promising to make necessary adjustments to their European flight paths based on real-time security assessments. China Airlines representatives separately announced they had implemented established contingency protocols designed to safeguard passengers and crew members while minimizing disruptions to their international network during the regional conflict.
Airport authorities have issued a public advisory urging all travelers with European itineraries, as well as individuals planning to meet arriving international flights, to vigilantly monitor real-time flight status information. Officials emphasized the importance of directly confirming departure and arrival times with airlines before heading to the airport, as the dynamic nature of the crisis could lead to additional schedule changes with minimal notice. ★