Asian Airlines Alter Routes as India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate

TAIPEI (News in A Day) - Several Asian airlines announced on Wednesday that they were rerouting or canceling flights to and from Europe due to the conflict between India and Pakistan.

India launched an assault against Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, after which Pakistan claimed to have brought down five Indian warplanes. This marks the most intense conflict between these nuclear powers in over twenty years.

Taiwan-based EVA Air announced that it would modify its routes to and from Europe to steer clear of airspace impacted by the conflict between India and Pakistan, prioritizing passenger safety.

A flight departing from Vienna will return to the same city, whereas a Taipei-to-Milan route will make an additional stop in Vienna for refueling purposes before proceeding to its final destination, as stated by the airline to News in A Day.

Korean Air announced that starting Wednesday, it has redirected its Seoul Incheon–Dubai routes, choosing a more southerly course that goes above Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India rather than using the former flight path across Pakistani air space.

Thai Airways announced that routes to European and South Asian destinations will be redirected beginning early Wednesday morning, with potential flight delays as a result.

China Airlines from Taiwan mentioned they have initiated their emergency response plan and implemented various steps to guarantee passenger and crew safety. They didn’t provide further details.

The official website of Taiwan’s primary international gateway located in Taoyuan, near Taipei, indicated that the direct China Airlines service to London scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled.

Prior to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, numerous flights from Taiwan destined for Europe often passed through Russian airspace. However, following Taipei’s alignment with Western sanctions against Moscow, Taiwanese carriers have been prohibited from using these routes. Instead, they now typically travel over regions such as India, Pakistan, and various countries in Central Asia.

(Reported by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Jin Hyun Joo in Seoul; Edited by Christian Schmollinger, Michael Perry, and Raju Gopalakrishnan)