Chinese airlines protest US plan to ban flights using Russian airspace

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Major Chinese airlines have protested a proposed US Department of Transportation (DoT) plan that could ban Chinese carriers from operating flights passing through Russian airspace en route to the United States.

The protest, lodged through diplomatic and industry channels, comes after US officials cited “unfair competitive advantage” concerns — arguing that Chinese carriers benefit from shorter routes over Russia, while American airlines have avoided the area since 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Carriers including Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern have urged Washington to reconsider, saying the restriction would “severely disrupt commercial operations” and escalate tensions in global aviation. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) also defended the practice, asserting that route selection is based on safety and efficiency, not politics.

The proposed US ban follows growing scrutiny from lawmakers who claim that flights over Russian territory expose crews and passengers to security risks and indirectly support Russia through airspace fees. However, analysts warn that a tit-for-tat escalation could impact the already fragile China–US aviation recovery, which has only recently begun to resume post-pandemic.

If implemented, the policy could force Chinese airlines to adopt longer routes, raising fuel costs and ticket prices while further straining bilateral air travel agreements. Industry experts view the standoff as another flashpoint in the geo-economic rivalry between Washington and Beijing, now extending into civil aviation.