Why it’s getting harder to fly to China

European airlines face higher costs to avoid Russian airspace, while economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions reduce business travel to China

Flight options for American and European travelers to and from China are shrinking rapidly. In recent months, numerous international airlines have either suspended or reduced the frequency of their routes to China. For European and British airlines, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has prevented non-Chinese carriers from flying over Russian airspace, resulting in longer flight times and higher operating costs due to the need for extended routes.

Key takeaways

• In the first half of this year, China reported 14.6 million foreign visitors-an increase from last year, but still well below the 49 million visitors recorded in 2019;
• Despite restrictions on flights over Russia, many European airlines are performing well on routes to the country. However, many of these flights are packed with tourists;
• As European airlines face economic challenges in operating flights to China, Chinese airlines are stepping in to fill the gap. They enjoy a competitive advantage by offering lower fares and shorter flight times, as they continue to fly over Russian airspace without restrictions.

Get the full story at The New York Times