CHINESE AIRLINES WIN IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT

Russia's clash with Ukraine has stirred up more than just headlines—it’s thrown a wrench into the whole scene of air travel. One can notice that flights between China and Europe now carry a different story.

European carriers find it tough since they have to steer clear of Russian skies, meaning longer, more expensive detours. Meanwhile, with fewer hurdles, Chinese airlines have been rapidly scheduling more flights by sticking to the direct paths. You might say that while two players squabble, a third party grabs the benefits—China is clearly riding that wave, planning even more international routes.

Feng Zhenglin, who once led China’s Civil Aviation Administration, remarked, "China's air transportation network is entering the global market. This will ensure the country's high-quality economic development." His words hint at a big picture where even the air travel game is evolving as part of a broader economic push.

Since last summer, Chinese airlines have been busy expanding their reach to European destinations—new routes and boosted frequencies from cities like Beijing and Shanghai are now the norm. Chinese media has noted that in the first half of 2024, more than 70% of flights headed for Europe were airlifted by Chinese airlines, a leap from the under-50% figure recorded back in 2019.

European airlines, in contrast, are struggling. Around October and November last year, significant names such as Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Scandinavian Airlines had to pull back, canceling or suspending several direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai. This all traces back to a move in late February 2022 when Russia—reacting to an EU ban on its aircraft—closed its airspace not just to EU countries but to 36 nations altogether. This decision forced European operators to reinvent their routes, stretching flights from Shanghai to destinations like Paris and London by over 1,000 kilometers. Longer flights meant higher fuel costs and more crew hours, pushing ticket prices up and nudging more travelers toward Chinese carriers.

Western media reports even mention that airlines, especially Lufthansa, have submitted petitions to the European Commission and other bodies, asking for support as they struggle to match the speed and efficiency of Chinese competitors. Meanwhile, the usual authorities have stayed noticeably quiet—somewhat odd, considering the scale of the challenge.

On the flip side, the Chinese government seems determined to seize the moment. Last July, recommendations were rolled out to boost the nation's international aviation competitiveness, underscoring a plan to back stronger routes under careful oversight. Generally speaking, Beijing is betting on a solid recovery and an even more robust position in global air travel.

Still, not everyone is on board with this rapid expansion. A few skeptics label the surge in international flights by Chinese carriers as a sort of "market glut." Even so, Beijing officially predicts that by 2025 the country’s transport sector will fully return from the COVID-19 slump, launching Chinese airlines into a new league internationally.

Of course, this whole dynamic hinges on one stubborn fact: as long as Russia’s airspace stays off-limits, a major change in this turbulent system remains unlikely, at least for now.