Flights cancelled, rerouted over China’s drills near Taiwan

ALJAZEERA:

Asian airlines have cancelled or rerouted numerous flights to avoid military exercises China is carrying out around Taiwan following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the democratically-ruled island.

The move comes after Beijing cautioned carriers to avoid six “danger zones” where the People’s Liberation Army is conducting drills aimed at upholding “sovereignty and territorial integrity” after the veteran United States politician defied its warnings against a trip.

South Korea’s Korean Air cancelled all flights to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, while local rival Asiana cancelled its Friday route.

Korean Air also moved up the schedule for its Sunday flight to Taipei by an hour, after Asiana delayed its flight by three hours on Thursday.

Singapore Airlines and its budget offshoot Scoot said they had cancelled all four flights between Singapore and Taipei scheduled for Friday and would monitor the situation for further changes.

Japan’s ANA and Japan Airlines have continued to operate all flights as scheduled but have adjusted the route on flights to Taipei, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia to avoid the affected airspace.