China's 'Justice Mission 2025' Drills Cause Major Taiwan Flight Delays, Violating ICAO Rules

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted large-scale military exercises near Taiwan. The drills, codenamed 'Justice Mission 2025', drew strong condemnation from Taipei. Taiwan's Minister of National Defence, Wellington Koo, stated the PLA's actions threaten regional stability and civilian traffic. The exercise involved the PLA's Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force troops in a joint military operation.

Significant Impact on Commercial Air Traffic

The military drills severely disrupted air travel within the busy Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR). Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) estimated the exercises would affect over 100,000 international passengers.

More than 850 international flights were impacted, with 296 international departures and 265 arrivals facing delays. Additionally, 84 domestic flights were canceled, primarily routes connecting Taiwan to the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu.

Aviation Safety and Regulatory Concerns

The CAA condemned the drills, citing a serious violation of international aviation practices. The agency noted that China issued the notice just one day before the drills began. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations require a minimum seven-day advance notice for exercises affecting air routes.

Air traffic controllers coordinated with adjacent FIRs to implement flow control measures. Airlines were forced to reroute aircraft, leading to longer flight times and increased fuel burn. The CAA urged airlines to notify passengers and ensure aircraft carried sufficient fuel for the detours. For more on global air travel disruptions, visit our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.

Military Activity and Geopolitical Context

The two-day exercise, which began on December 29, 2025, was the sixth large-scale war game since 2022. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported significant PLA activity. This included 130 PLA aircraft and 14 PLAN vessels operating near the island.

Taiwan's military also reported that the PLA fired 27 rockets during the drill. Ten of these rockets landed at sea within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone. The contiguous zone is an area where coastal states can enforce certain laws.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command called the drills a "stern warning" to "Taiwan Independence" separatist forces. The exercises focused on joint operations and blockades of key ports and areas.

US Arms Sales and China's Response

The 'Justice Mission 2025' drills followed a major development in US-Taiwan relations. The United States had recently approved a record-breaking arms sale package to Taiwan, valued at over $11 billion.

This package included advanced systems like HIMARS rocket systems and anti-tank missiles. In response, China's Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against 20 US defense-related companies. These sanctions targeted firms involved in supplying weapons to Taiwan, including the defense division of Boeing. China also sanctioned 10 senior executives from these companies. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) monitors geopolitical risks that affect global airline operations. The escalating tensions pose a major challenge for carriers flying through the region.