China's biggest airlines are pushing back against a new US plan that could stop them from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States.
They say the move would raise costs, make flights longer, and disrupt travel for thousands of passengers.
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has proposed stopping Chinese carriers from using Russian airspace.
According to CNA, American airlines are currently barred from flying over Russia due to sanctions after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The US says allowing Chinese airlines to use shorter routes through Russia gives them an unfair edge.
Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern — the country's "Big Three" airlines — are among six carriers that have filed official complaints against the proposal.
In its filing, China Eastern said the move would "harm the public interest" and cause "inconvenience" for both American and Chinese travelers.
They also warned that rerouting flights would make tickets more expensive.
China Southern said thousands of passengers would be affected. Air China estimated that about 4,400 travelers could face delays or rebooking if the ban takes effect during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
"This change would hurt travelers on both sides," the airlines said, adding that longer flights would require more fuel, add hours to travel time, and raise prices.
Major Chinese airlines warn that the US Transportation Department’s plan to bar them from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States could increase flight times, raise airfares, and disrupt routes, citing a disadvantage for American carriers.#China #US #Trump pic.twitter.com/SLITvDgmSb
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 14, 2025
China Slams US Ban Proposal
Aviation expert David Yu, who teaches at New York University Shanghai, explained, "If US airlines can't fly over Russia but Chinese airlines can, the Chinese side saves money and time. That's why US carriers feel at a disadvantage."
Even with this advantage, Chinese airlines are still recovering from financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chinese foreign ministry has also spoken out. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the ban would "punish passengers around the world" and wasn't helpful for people-to-people ties between China and the US, , AP News reported.
On the American side, Airlines for America — which represents Delta, United, and American Airlines — supports the US proposal.
They say it's about fairness and want the number of flights between the two countries to reflect real demand.
The USDOT said it is reviewing public comments and has not finalized the decision yet.
European carriers, like Air France-KLM, have also raised concerns about the issue, while United Airlines has asked the US government to apply the same restrictions to Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific.
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