Chinese airlines urge US not to ban flights over Russia

On Tuesday, Chinese airlines called on Donald Trump's administration to withdraw its planned ban on flights over Russia to and from the United States. They argue that the restriction would extend flight times by two to three hours, increase costs and fuel consumption, and disrupt flight connections.

The US Department of Transportation justified the proposal by saying that Chinese airlines have an unfair advantage because, unlike US airlines, they can use Russian airspace and thus fly shorter and more efficient routes.

The US banned flights over Russia in 2022 in response to the invasion of Ukraine, prompting Moscow to also ban US airlines from flying over its airspace.

China Eastern, Air China, and China Southern warned that a ban during the holiday season would affect thousands of passengers. United Airlines is also calling for the ban to apply to Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, which continues to fly over Russia. The Airlines for America association welcomed the proposal but demanded that parity be maintained in the number of flights between the US and China.

(reuters, max)