Trump wants to ban Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace on US routes

"A Department of Transportation order issued on Thursday aims to prohibit Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on US routes. Instead, these carriers would be forced to fly longer, less efficient paths - possibly adding multiple hours of extra flight time. The order targets seven airlines, including Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways was not named."

"The DoT said barring Chinese airlines from flying over Russia would address a "competitive disparity" for US carriers; it excluded cargo carriers from the order. The agency added that Chinese airlines enjoy an "unequal" advantage by avoiding the added time and fuel costs of detouring around Russian airspace. US airlines, such as American, Delta, and United, must fly less economical flight paths as they are barred from using Russian airspace amid sanctions over the nation's invasion of Ukraine. It also strains maintenance, aircraft utilization, and crew rest."

"The move comes amid escalating economic tensions between China and the Trump administration. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told Reuters on Friday that "barring Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on flights to and from the US would hinder travel and people-to-people exchanges." He added that the US should take "a hard look at its own policy and the impact on American businesses" instead of "punishing other countries and passengers around the world.""

A Department of Transportation order would bar seven Chinese passenger airlines from flying over Russia on US routes, forcing longer, less efficient flight paths that could add hours. The order names Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan, Sichuan, and Xiamen; Cathay Pacific was not named. The DoT framed the move as addressing a competitive disparity because Chinese carriers currently avoid detours that US airlines must take due to sanctions on Russia. Cargo carriers were excluded. US carriers face maintenance, utilization, and crew-rest strains. Airlines for America supported the step. China warned the action would hinder travel and exchanges amid rising tensions.

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