Potential airspace closure-China invasion of Taiwan: concern? | FerrariChat
Buy

Potential airspace closure-China invasion of Taiwan: concern?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by Jacob Potts, Jul 1, 2022.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2008
    352
    Pueblo, CO
    Full Name:
    Jacob Potts
    #1 Jacob Potts, Jul 1, 2022
    Aviation Week recently ran an article with a curious headline:

    Airlines Not Voicing Concerns Over Potential China Airspace Closure
    https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/airlines-not-voicing-concerns-over-potential-china-airspace-closure

    Watching the news in the western Pacific develop, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan seems to be growing more certain almost daily. If the airspace above and around Taiwan (and China) is closed because of combat operations, airlines would face major problems, with all the air traffic in the area.

    So I ask you pilots who ply the long, lonely routes of the Pacific, why are airlines not "voicing concerns" over the possible closing of Chinese airspace? Is it that they are concerned, but not voicing it? Are the airlines afraid? If so, of what or of whom? Are the airlines blind, or indifferent, or what? What is happening here?

    Thank you all.
     
  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,067
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #2 tazandjan, Jul 3, 2022
    Ukraine has undoubtedly given the Chinese much to think about and highlighted the problems with invading Taiwan. Airborne assault now looks like it would be a disaster and an amphibious assault would be like a shooting gallery. If you are willing to absorb huge casualties......

    Airlines have enough problems without making up new ones. They are already doing fine flying around Russia.
     
    kylec, boxerman, EastMemphis and 1 other person like this.
  3. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2008
    352
    Pueblo, CO
    Full Name:
    Jacob Potts
    #3 Jacob Potts, Jul 4, 2022
    Ah! Very interesting! I was wondering solely about the airlines, but if you want to talk about the larger situation, that's fine. I was trying to stay away from that, to avoid breaking the rules.

    I clearly remember KAL007, and do not want any repeats, especially involving any friends on Ferrarichat.

    It sounds like you are saying that the airlines are neither unaware nor blind to the consequences of war in the western Pacific, but they remain quiet for now. If unpleasantnesses do break out, however, the airlines could easily adapt. Am I reading you accurately?
     
  4. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,067
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #4 tazandjan, Jul 4, 2022
    Affirmative.
     
    Jacob Potts likes this.
  5. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

    Jul 18, 2014
    5,344
    CT
    #5 BJK, Jul 4, 2022
    I expect the U.S. military will maintain international 'right of passage' on the seas and in the air. The Chinese are playing a dangerous game pushing limits.
     
    Jacob Potts likes this.
  6. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 9, 2005
    3,664
    Orlando
    #6 kylec, Jul 6, 2022
    I wouldn’t be so sure of that.
     
  7. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2008
    352
    Pueblo, CO
    Full Name:
    Jacob Potts
    #7 Jacob Potts, Aug 3, 2022
  8. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2008
    352
    Pueblo, CO
    Full Name:
    Jacob Potts
    #8 Jacob Potts, Aug 3, 2022
  9. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2008
    352
    Pueblo, CO
    Full Name:
    Jacob Potts
    #9 Jacob Potts, Aug 4, 2022
    Okay, China is holding drills around Taiwan, in what amounts to what Taiwan calls a blockade (citations below).

    I do NOT want to talk about politics. I DO want to talk about what and how the airlines decide to send and receive airliners from Taiwan in the face of missiles firing and fighters screaming around the sky. For example, let's say, when China began its drills, an airline has a plane seven thousand miles from its home base, boring a nightly hole from the US to Taiwan. Do they tell the plane to continue? To turn back? To go elsewhere? How would they make the decisions? What factors need to be weighed? Thanks!

    https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/airlines-cancel-reroute-flights-during-chinese-military-drills-near-taiwan-2022-08-05/
    Reuters
    Airlines cancel, reroute flights during Chinese military drills near Taiwan

    https://www.foxnews.com/world/south-korea-cancels-flights-taiwan-amid-chinese-live-fire-military-drills
    Fox News
    South Korea cancels flights to Taiwan amid Chinese live-fire military drills

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/taiwan-cancels-flights-as-china-holds-military-drills/articleshow/93345500.cms
    The Times of India
    Taiwan cancels flights as China holds military drills
     

Share This Page