Chinese airlines oppose US plan to ban flights over Russia

(VOVWORLD) -Major Chinese airlines on Tuesday urged the US administration to abandon its plan to bar them from flying over Russia on US routes, saying the measure would extend flight times, increase ticket prices, and potentially disrupt certain routes.

An airplane of  Air China (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

China Eastern Airlines, one of six airlines that sent letters to the US Department of Transportation, said the US measure could extend flight duration on several major routes by two to three hours, significantly increase risks of missed connections and fuel costs.

Air China and China Southern said the plan would affect the travel demand of thousands of passengers from both countries, especially during the peak season from early November to late December.

Chinese airlines reacted to President Donald Trump’s October 9 proposed ban, which said the reduced flight time puts American carriers at a disadvantage.