China’s largest state-owned air carriers are strongly pushing back against a United States proposal that would prevent them from flying through Russian airspace on routes connected to the U.S.
The U.S. claims these flights offer Chinese airlines an unfair cost advantage over American carriers, which have been unable to use Russian airspace since Moscow closed it to U.S. and most European airlines in 2022, a retaliatory measure following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Six Chinese airlines, including prominent carriers like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, have officially filed complaints concerning the order proposed last week.
In its submission to the U.S. Department of Transportation, China Eastern stated that the proposed ban would ‘harm the public interest’ and ‘inconvenience travelers’ from both China and the U.S. The airline highlighted that longer flight times would lead to increased operational costs and higher airfares, thereby placing a greater financial burden on passengers.
China Southern echoed these concerns, warning that a prohibition on using Russian airspace would negatively impact thousands of travelers. Air China estimated that if the ban were implemented during peak travel seasons like Thanksgiving and Christmas, at least 4,400 passengers would be affected.
Last week, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, also criticized the proposed ban, describing it as a ‘punishment’ for travelers worldwide.
David Yu, an aviation industry expert at New York University Shanghai, explained that the inability of U.S. carriers to fly over Russian airspace has extended flight paths for some U.S.-China routes by approximately two to three hours. These longer journeys demand more fuel and consequently reduce the profitability of U.S. carriers.
“Historically, the U.S.-China route has been a significant revenue generator for airlines on both sides,” Mr. Yu commented. “From the perspective of Chinese carriers, utilizing Russian airspace significantly lowers their costs.” Despite this advantage, Chinese airlines have faced considerable financial challenges, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, in its proposed order, explicitly stated that Chinese carriers’ access to Russian airspace has created ‘competitive imbalances’ between American and Chinese airlines.
“The ability to use the most efficient route provides a competitive advantage because it typically results in the shortest flight duration, offering a more attractive option to travelers,” the department explained last week. The U.S. Department of Transportation intends to review public comments before finalizing its decision. European airlines, including Air France-KLM, have also voiced similar grievances.
In a separate filing to the Department of Transportation, United Airlines advocated for Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, to also be included in the proposed ban, despite it not being among the initial list of Chinese airlines targeted.