The largest state-owned airlines in China have responded to a U.S. proposal that seeks to prevent them from flying over Russian airspace on routes to and from the United States.
The U.S. government argues that such flights give Chinese airlines an unfair cost advantage over their American counterparts, which are banned from using Russian airspace. In 2022, Moscow closed its airspace to U.S. and most European airlines as a reaction to Western sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Among the six Chinese airlines that filed complaints regarding the U.S. proposal last week are Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, all of which oppose the suggested ban on their flights transiting through Russian airspace to and from the United States.
In a submission to the U.S. Department of Transportation this week, China Eastern Airlines stated that the proposed ban “would harm the public interest” and “would cause inconvenience to travelers” from both the U.S. and China. They added that the increased flight duration would lead to higher operational costs and airfares, placing an additional financial burden on all travelers.
China Southern Airlines warned that restricting flights over Russian airspace would negatively affect thousands of passengers. Air China estimated that at least 4,400 travelers could be impacted if the ban takes effect during the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holiday periods.
Last week, Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, commented on the proposed U.S. ban, labeling it a “punishment” for travelers globally.
David Yu, an aviation industry expert at New York University in Shanghai, indicated that the inability of U.S. airlines to fly over Russian airspace has extended some flight routes between the U.S. and China by two to three hours. Longer flights require more fuel, which places additional pressure on the profitability of American carriers.
Yu noted, “The route between the U.S. and China has always been a lucrative opportunity for airlines on both sides. From the perspective of Chinese airlines, if they can fly over Russia, their costs would decrease.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation mentioned in its proposal that the ability of Chinese airlines to utilize Russian airspace has created “competitive imbalances” between American and Chinese airlines.
According to a statement from the department last week, “The ability to use the most efficient routes provides a competitive edge, typically resulting in shorter flight times and offering a more appealing choice for travelers.”
European airlines, including Air France-KLM, have also expressed similar concerns.