In six zones around the island, the Chinese have launched dozens of fighter jets and are launching missiles.
A number of airlines have canceled flights to Taipei or changed their routes to avoid flying near Taiwan, where China is conducting large-scale military exercises in response to a visit by the speaker of the House of Representatives US Nancy Pelosi on the island. This is reported by Reuters.
China deployed dozens of aircraft and fired cruise missiles near Taiwanon Thursday in its largest-ever drills in the Taiwan Strait, which are expected to last until noon local time (0400 GMT) on Sunday in six zones , surrounding most of the island. The airspace is relatively small, but obstacles hinder travel between Southeast and Northeast Asia.
Company Korean Air Lines Co Ltdsaid it has canceled flights between Seoul and Taipei on Friday and Saturday and will delay a flight on Sunday due to training. Singapore Airlines Ltd said it had canceled Friday flights between Singapore and Taipei due to “evolving airspace restrictions” and would continue to monitor the situation if further adjustments were necessary. Japan's ANA Holdings Inc and Japan Airlines Co Ltdare still operating flights to Taipei as normal, airline officials said, but are avoiding dangerous areas of airspace on those flights, as well as on other routes in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Thursday that its flights are avoiding designated areas of airspace around Taiwan, which could lead to longer flight times for some flights.
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Flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 revealed that Taiwanese carriers China Airlines Ltd and EVA Airways Corp were still flying to and from the island as of Friday morning, as were Philippine Airlines and cargo carriers FedEx Corp and United Parcel Service Inc but avoiding areas affected by military exercises.
According to information from the website of the airline company Emirates, their planes are scheduled to depart for Taipei on Friday.
Also read: US postpones ballistic missile test amid tensions over Taiwan – WSJ
Aviation industry cooperative OPSGROUP, which reports on flight risks, said China's military exercises would affect major routes between Southeast and Northeast Asia, causing rerouting that could take longer and burn extra fuel. However, these changes have a smaller impact on the global aviation industry compared to the decision of most airlines to bypass other destinations such as Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq and Syria.
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Remember, China has officially urged airlines operating in Asia to avoid flying in areas around Taiwanwhere the PRC is conducting military exercises.
See special topic: China begins new military exercises near TaiwanDuring the previous exercises, China conducted 11 ballistic missile launches and Chinese ships and fighter jets maneuvered around the island. US to participate in military exercises near India's disputed border with China – CNN The exercises will take place in October. The US accuses China of provocations in the Taiwan Strait The Chinese army has started large-scale exercises after the departure of Nancy Pelosi. North Korea calls Pelosi a 'destroyer of international peace' After Pelosi visited Taiwan and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to protecting democracy on the self-governing island, North Korea criticized the USA and the support of China, its main ally and biggest benefactor. China not answering Pentagon calls amid tensions over Taiwan – Politico US officials and experts say Beijing's silence is a dangerous move.
