Because of competitive disadvantage
Landing ban in the USA demanded for airlines that fly over Russian airspace
Today, 02/27/2023 | 08:47
Two senators are calling on the US government to fine airlines that use Russian airspace. They should no longer be allowed to take off and land at American airports. This affects airlines from China, but also Emirates and Co.
The World Aviation Association Iata has been warning for months. Now that China is opening up once more following the strict corona measures and travelers from the People’s Republic are increasingly returning to Europe, the competitive situation is changing: while European airlines are not allowed to fly via Russia on their way to Beijing or Shanghai because Moscow allows them the overflight bans, Chinese airlines are still allowed to do so.
This gives Chinese airlines a significant competitive advantage. Their flights take less time, which customers like. At the same time, thanks to shorter routes, they consume less kerosene – an important cost advantage.
Iata is therefore already calling for negotiations with Russia to reopen airspace. A request that has no chance in view of the Russian war of aggression once morest Ukraine.
Cargo flights are also affected
In the US, two members of the Senate and the Foreign Policy Commission have now made a proposal on how to solve the problem without having to make concessions to Russia. In a letter, Democrat Robert Menendez and Republican James Risch call on President Joe Biden’s administration to introduce new regulations.
Flights using Russian airspace should in future neither land nor take off in the USA nor be allowed to use American airspace, according to the demand.
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A side effect of the current situation is that “US airlines are at a competitive disadvantage compared to airlines from other countries that are willing to do business with Russia,” argue Menendez and Risch.
Among other things, the flights of the national airline Air China from Beijing via Shenyang to Vancouver, from Beijing to Los Angeles or from Shanghai to Anchorage and on to Chicago are affected. Cargo flights would also be affected.
Also detours for golf airlines
Not only Chinese airlines would take the measure. It would also have consequences for the golf airlines.
For example, Emirates flies from Dubai to Los Angeles, Houston or Seattle via Russia. A similar measure would also be conceivable in Europe, but has not yet been publicly discussed.
This article was written by Stefan Eiselin