Chinese Military Incursions Near Taiwan Threaten Regional Flight Operations
Key Points
- 1Four Chinese PLA aircraft sorties and six naval vessels were detected by Taiwan's MND on January 3, with one sortie crossing the central ADIZ.
- 2A recent military drill on December 30 disrupted 941 flights, affecting over 100,000 passengers and lasting nearly 10 hours.
- 3The exercises restricted 11 of 14 international air routes in the Taipei FIR, forcing major rerouting and delays.
- 4Taiwan's CAA stated the lack of seven-day advance notice for the drills violated International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported new military activity near its territory on January 3, 2026. The MND detected four sorties of PLA aircraft and six naval vessels. One Chinese aircraft sortie reportedly crossed the unofficial median line and entered Taiwan’s central Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). This detection follows a similar report the previous day of six naval vessels and two People's Republic of China (PRC) balloons near the island.
Major Commercial Aviation Disruption
These ongoing Chinese military incursions highlight a severe risk to Taiwan Strait air traffic. The activity comes shortly after a large-scale military exercise on December 30, 2025. Those drills, codenamed "Justice Mission 2025," caused widespread regional flight disruption. The exercises lasted nearly 10 hours, significantly impacting commercial aviation across the region.
Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) confirmed the scale of the disruption. The drills affected a total of 941 flights. This included 857 international flights and 84 domestic routes. The disruption impacted over 100,000 passengers.
Operational and Regulatory Impact
Live-fire activities forced commercial aircraft to reroute or cancel operations. The drills established seven temporary zones for live-fire exercises. These zones fell within the Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR). Consequently, 11 of the 14 international air routes in the Taipei FIR were restricted. This placed pressure on major carriers like China Airlines and EVA Air. Rerouting international flights increases operational complexity and fuel burn.
The CAA condemned the action for violating international norms and aviation practices. Regulations by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) state exercises affecting routes should be announced seven days prior. China's notice was reportedly issued only one day before the drills began. The lack of advance warning severely compromises aviation operational safety and coordination.
Security Implications for Air Travel
Experts view the scale and timing of the drills as deliberate planning. Su Tzu-yun, an Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) fellow, described the operation as a "quasi-blockade". This simulation is intended to test wartime conditions and exert psychological pressure. The repeated military presence, including the PLA aircraft sorties and naval vessels, underscores the ongoing commercial aviation security challenge.
- The drills demonstrated the ability to shut down most of Taiwan's international air routes.
- Airlines must now factor in increased geopolitical risk for regional operations.
- The incident highlights the need for stronger coordination among regional Air Traffic Control units.
Industry bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) monitor such events closely. The disruption to the busy East Asia air routes, often flown by aircraft from manufacturers like Airbus, impacts global supply chains and passenger travel. Stakeholders are urged to follow the latest commercial aviation news on this developing situation commercial aviation news.
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