Taiwan: Flight exclusion zone north of Taiwan to cause flight delays April 16

Event

Around 33 flights are expected to experience delays north of Taiwan 09:30-09:57 April 16 due to a flight exclusion zone imposed by mainland China. According to Taiwanese officials, the flight exclusion area is related to mainland China's upcoming weather satellite launch. Civilian flights are prohibited from entering the area throughout the specified time period and authorities have recommended that the affected flights change their original route to avoid the exclusion zone. Additionally, China's Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) will enforce a maritime exclusion area from 09:00-15:00, prohibiting civilian vessels from entering the area.

Context

The flight and maritime exclusion areas come amid tensions in the region over a meeting last week between Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan's government confirmed that China initially planned to impose a flight exclusion zone from April 16-18, but Chinese officials shortened the duration to 27 minutes the morning of April 16 following negotiations.