TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese live-fire military drills around Taiwan are expected to disrupt air travel for more than 100,000 international passengers on Tuesday, according to the Civil Aviation Administration.
The CAA said military exercises will affect flights between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. A total of 296 international departures, 265 international arrivals, and 296 transit flights are expected to be disrupted, per CNA.
In addition, 68 domestic flights to Kinmen and 16 flights to Matsu will be canceled, affecting 6,000 passengers.
The CAA warned that significant delays could continue even after the drills conclude, as a backlog of flights will require time to disperse. Airlines have been instructed to notify passengers in advance and ensure aircraft carry sufficient fuel before departure.
According to the CAA, the live-fire exercises have resulted in major restrictions on air routes and airspace within the Taipei Flight Information Region, prompting coordination with air traffic control units in adjacent FIRs to implement flow control measures.
China’s “Justice Mission 2025” exercise spans seven regions around Taiwan.
The CAA condemned Beijing’s actions in a press release, saying it disregarded regional flight safety by unilaterally issuing its notice just one day before the drills began, calling it a serious violation of international norms and aviation practices.
Under International Civil Aviation Organization regulations, any exercise affecting route usage should be announced at least seven days in advance, said the CAA. It added that standard practice also requires prior communication and coordination with affected flight information regions.
According to CAA, Taipei FIR includes 14 international routes and four domestic routes, most of which are endangered by the live-fire exercises. Only flights to and from Japan on routes R595, R583, and M750 to the northeast remain unaffected, while all other routes are inaccessible during the drills.
To ensure air traffic safety, air traffic controllers will guide international flights to avoid danger zones or assign alternative routes for arrivals, departures, and transits. Flow control measures will be implemented as needed based on conditions during Tuesday’s exercises.
The CAA has requested airlines notify passengers via text messages, official websites, or mobile apps if flights are delayed or canceled. Passengers scheduled to fly on Tuesday are urged to check for the latest information before heading to the airport and to monitor airport display boards and announcements to make appropriate travel arrangements.
