Closure of Russian airspace ‘single biggest factor’ stopping foreign airlines from boosting service to China, global industry body says

The number of flights between China and the United States remains at just 6 per cent of 2019 levels amid tensions between the two sides.

After flight bans were imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow retaliated by closing its airspace to countries it considered hostile.

Airlines operating out of the United States and Europe complain carriers from China and India are receiving an unfair advantage by being allowed access to Russian airspace, which cuts down on flight time and fuel costs. Delta, United and American Airlines say their ban from Russian air space costs them US$2 billion a year.

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways uses the airspace to fly from New York to the city, saying the route allows it to maximise passengers, cut flight times and save on fuel costs.

Walsh said the IATA hoped to see Russian airspace reopen to all airlines.

“I think we will only see Russian air space reopen for everybody when peace is in that region and when the war in Ukraine finishes,” he added.

Finnair CEO Topi Manner said flights between Finland and mainland China were now 35 per cent longer as it could not use Russian airspace

“It’s clear that is not a level playing field for players,” he said on the sidelines of the meeting. “There’s a significant cost advantage for the Chinese carriers.”

United CEO Scott Kirby earlier told reporters that re-routing its flights to avoid Russia had created a “big impact” on business.

“Pre-pandemic, we were doing five flights a day between the US and India, for example, and now we fly one and it’s an extra two hours. That’s disappointing,” he said.