Trump admin proposes barring Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on US flights
US airlines have long complained that this gives Chinese carriers the advantage of decreased flying time and lower fuel consumption
The Trump administration on Thursday proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on flights to and from the United States, saying the practice puts American carriers at a disadvantage.
US airlines have long criticised the decision to allow Chinese carriers to fly over Russia on some flights because it gives them the advantage of decreased flying time and lower fuel consumption.
Russia has barred US airlines and other foreign carriers from flying over its airspace in retaliation for Washington banning Russian flights over the US in March 2022, after the country invaded Ukraine.
The US Transportation Department (USDOT) said on Thursday in its proposed order, “this imbalance has become a significant competitive factor”.
USDOT said it was proposing to bar Chinese overflights “to level this competitive disparity amongst US and Chinese air carriers”.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry on Friday said the restrictions were not conducive to person-to-person exchanges.
The Transportation Department’s decision could affect some US flights operated by Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines and China Southern.