Trump proposes barring Chinese airlines flying over Russia on US flights

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (GWN) -The Trump administration on Thursday proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on flights to and from the United States, saying the follow places American carriers at a drawback.

U.S. airlines have long criticized the choice to enable Chinese carriers to fly over Russia on some flights because it which provides them the benefit of decreased flying time and burning less fuel.

The U.S. Transportation Department 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 U.S. and Chinese air carriers.”

The Chinese embassy in Washington didn’t have an fast remark.

Russia has barred U.S. airlines and other overseas carriers from flying over its airspace in retaliation for Washington banning Russian flights over the U.S. in March 2022 after the nation invaded Ukraine.

The choice might influence some U.S. flights operated by Air China, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines and China Southern.

The push comes amid growing pressure between China and the United States over a collection of financial points.

USDOT is giving Chinese carriers two days to reply to the order and said a closing order could possibly be in impact as soon as November.

In May 2023, the United States permitted further flights by Chinese carriers after they agreed not to fly over Russia on new flights, GWN reported.

Last 12 months, USDOT said Chinese passenger airlines might enhance weekly round-trip U.S. flights to 50. More than 150 weekly round-trip passenger flights had been allowed by each aspect before restrictions had been imposed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some U.S. carriers have told the Trump administration that direct East Coast flights to China should not economically possible because of the added expense of not flying over Russia.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; modifying by Chris Sanders)