Chinese airlines protest US plan to ban their flights over Russian airspace

HONG KONG: China’s biggest state-owned air carriers have hit back at an American proposal to bar them from flying over Russia when traveling to or from the United States.Air China, China Eastern and China Southern are among six Chinese airlines filing complaints over the order proposed last week to prohibit such flights by Chinese carriers.

China Eastern said in its filing this week to the US Department of Transport that the proposed ban would “harm the public interest” and “inconvenience travelers” from both China and the US.Air China said it estimates at least 4,400 passengers would be affected if the ban takes effect during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Last week, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also hit back at the proposed ban, saying the move would be “punishing” passengers around the world.

David Yu, an aviation industry expert at New York University Shanghai, said that US carriers’ inability to fly over Russian airspace has increased flight paths for some US-China routes by roughly two to three hours. Longer journeys require more fuel and pressure US carriers’ Despite that, Chinese carriers have struggled with losses, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US Department of Transportation said in its proposed order that Chinese carriers’ ability to cross Russian airspace has caused “competitive imbalances” between American and Chinese airlines.

“Being able to use the most efficient route provides a competitive advantage because it usually results in the shortest flight time duration, thereby offering a more appealing option to travelers,” the department said last week.

The additional flight time would result in higher costs and elevated air fares, which increases the burden on all travelers, it said.