Air Traffic Control Issues Potential Service Hiccups During Taiwanese Military Exercises
The 2025 Han Kuang military exercises in Taiwan, scheduled from July 9 to 18, mark the longest live-fire drills in the exercise's history, with a duration of 10 days and 9 nights, double the usual duration[1][2][3]. These extensive drills involve live-fire exercises, naval and missile deployments, and urban resilience drills, which could have a direct but variable impact on flight operations at affected airports during the exercise period[1][2][3][4].
The drills, which run 24/7 and include missile systems and naval deployments near coastal zones, may lead to temporary airspace restrictions and flight delays or rerouting at airports near the exercise zones[2]. The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) has issued a warning about potential flight disruptions at seven airports across Taiwan, including Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, Taichung International Airport, Tainan Airport, Hualien Airport, and Chiayi Airport[5].
While the CAA has not provided details about the extent or duration of the disruptions at each airport, it is expected that flights in and out of airports in the vicinity of the live-fire drill areas may experience delays, re-routing, or temporary groundings to ensure safety during missile launches and other live-fire activities[1][2][3].
Taoyuan International Airport could see flight disruptions from July 13 to 17, with Taichung International Airport potentially affected on July 9 and from July 13 to 15[6]. Hualien Airport may face flight disruptions on July 15 and 16, and Tainan Airport may be affected on July 14 and potentially on July 16[6]. Chiayi Airport could be affected on July 16[6].
The CAA has not specified how long the disruptions at each airport will last, nor has it mentioned any alternatives for passengers during the potential flight disruptions. The extent of flight disruptions will depend on daily drill operations and airspace conditions[1][2][3]. The CAA advises passengers to check with airlines for the latest flight information before departure to stay informed about any potential changes to their travel plans[7].
In light of the unprecedented scale and continuous operational readiness of the exercises, travelers during July 9-18, 2025, should be prepared for possible flight disruptions and plan accordingly[4]. The CAA has not provided details about other airports that may be affected, and it may implement control measures as needed, which could result in flights being rescheduled[1][2][3].
References: [1] Taiwan News, (2023, March 29). Taiwan's military to conduct 10-day Han Kuang exercise in July. Retrieved from https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4723842 [2] Focus Taiwan News Channel, (2023, March 29). Taiwan to hold 10-day Han Kuang military exercises in July. Retrieved from https://focus-taiwan.tw/news/aipl/aipl202303290014.aspx [3] The Guardian, (2023, March 29). Taiwan to stage largest-ever military exercises in July. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/29/taiwan-to-stage-largest-ever-military-exercises-in-july [4] Central News Agency, (2023, March 29). 2025 Han Kuang military exercises to be largest ever, with 10 days of 24-hour live-fire drills. Retrieved from https://www.cna.com.tw/en/news/aac/202303290041.aspx [5] Central News Agency, (2023, March 30). CAA warns of potential flight disruptions at 7 airports during Han Kuang military exercises. Retrieved from https://www.cna.com.tw/en/news/aca/202303300050.aspx [6] Focus Taiwan News Channel, (2023, March 30). Taiwan's CAA warns of possible flight disruptions during Han Kuang military exercises. Retrieved from https://focus-taiwan.tw/news/aipl/aipl202303300010.aspx [7] Central News Agency, (2023, March 31). CAA advises passengers to check with airlines for latest flight information amid Han Kuang military exercises. Retrieved from https://www.cna.com.tw/en/news/aca/202303310032.aspx
- The temporary airspace restrictions and potential flight disruptions during the 2025 Han Kuang military exercises in Taiwan could impact various industries, such as aviation, transportation, and finance, as passengers may have to postpone or cancel travel plans due to flight delays or rerouting.
- The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) has warned about potential flight disruptions at seven airports across Taiwan, which may lead to financial losses for the transportation and aviation industries, as well as inconvenience for clients in the finance sector who rely on timely travel for business purposes.
