Published • loading... • Updated
Chinese airlines protest US plan to ban their flights over Russian airspace
The U.S. cites competitive imbalances as Chinese airlines use Russian airspace closed to American carriers, potentially affecting thousands of passengers during peak travel seasons.
- China's biggest state-owned air carriers protested the recent U.S. proposal, with Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern among six airlines filing complaints last week over the order to ban flights over Russia.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation last week proposed the restriction, saying Chinese carriers' access to Russian airspace created `competitive imbalances` with U.S. airlines after Moscow closed airspace in 2022.
- Aviation experts noted U.S.-China routes have increased by roughly two to three hours, with China Eastern warning the ban could add two to three hours, raise missed connections, and sharply increase fuel costs.
- Air China estimates at least 4,400 passengers would be affected during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, while China Southern expects around 2,800 rebookings in the November-December peak season.
- Amid diplomatic pushback, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday said the restrictions were not conducive to exchanges, and Guo Jiakun called the move `punishing` passengers while USDOT said it will consider public input before finalising the rule.
Insights by Ground AI
62 Articles
62 Articles
Chinese airlines oppose US plan to stop them flying over Russia on way to America
HONG KONG — All major Chinese airlines operating flights to the United States have formally opposed or asked for reconsideration of a proposal from the United States government that could bar them from flying over Russian airspace on US routes as early as next month.
·Bangkok, Thailand
Read Full ArticleBeijing has voiced its position to Trump on banning Chinese airlines from flying through Russia: EADaily
EADaily, October 15th, 2025. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China expresses solidarity with the protest of national airlines against the intention of the US Department of Transport to ban their aircraft from flying through Russian airspace. This was stated by the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Lin Jian.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources62
Leaning Left9Leaning Right6Center27Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 22%
C 64%
14%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium