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

China's major state-owned airlines are protesting a U.S. proposal that would ban them from flying over Russia when traveling to or from the United States. The U.S. argues that these flights provide Chinese carriers with an unfair cost advantage over American airlines, which cannot use Russian airspace due to Moscow's closure of its airspace to U.S. and most European carriers in response to Western sanctions. Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, among others, have filed complaints, stating the ban would harm public interest and inconvenience travelers by increasing flight times, costs, and airfares. China Eastern estimates the ban could affect thousands of passengers, particularly during holiday seasons. China's foreign ministry has also criticized the proposal as "punishing." Industry experts explain that U.S. airlines' inability to fly over Russia has significantly extended flight paths for U.S.-China routes, increasing fuel consumption and impacting profitability. While Chinese carriers also face losses, their ability to use Russian airspace offers a cost advantage by allowing for shorter, more efficient routes. The U... download the app to read more