China’s largest state-owned airlines have criticised a U.S. plan to stop them flying over Russia on journeys to or from the United States, warning it would inconvenience travellers and raise costs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed the ban, arguing that Chinese airlines currently gain an “unfair advantage” by using shorter routes over Russia, which American carriers cannot access. Since 2022, U.S. and European airlines have been forced to avoid Russian airspace following Kremlin restrictions in response to Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, along with three other carriers, filed complaints against the proposed ban. China Eastern warned it would “harm the public interest” and increase travel times and fares for passengers from both China and the U.S. Air China estimated that at least 4,400 passengers could be affected during peak travel periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the U.S. proposal as “punishing” for people globally. Aviation expert David Yu noted that avoiding Russian airspace adds two to three hours to U.S.-China flights, historically a profitable route for airlines on both sides.

While using Russian airspace reduces costs for Chinese carriers, the airlines have struggled financially, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, making efficient routes critical to profitability.

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