RT.com
03 Jun 2023, 00:13 GMT+10
Washington is reportedly seeking to protect domestic carriers which are banned from overflying the country.
Chinese airlines are avoiding Russian airspace by adhering to newly approved routes to and from the United States, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing flight tracking website FlightAware and industry officials.
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 18 approved four new weekly Air China and China Eastern flights between the US and China, bringing the the total number of weekly roundtrips to 12.
FlightAware records show that the new flights are not overflying Russia, while previously approved Chinese flights are still using Russian airspace.
Washington and its European allies closed their airspace to Russian aircraft last year as part of Ukraine-related sanctions against Moscow, and Russia retaliated by barring US and European airlines from flying over its territory. China was not affected by the restrictions and continued to use Russian airspace.
It was reported earlier this year that the Biden administration was urged to ban Chinese airlines from passing over Russia on US routes.
The proposal was the result of lobbying by US air carriers, who are losing up to $2 billion annually in market share to foreign competitors not subject to Russian airspace ban, the New York Times reported in March, citing industry trade group Airlines for America.
Airlines from countries such as China and India have enjoyed a boom in business, as they can fly the shortest route without the need to circumvent Russia's vast territory, the outlet wrote.
American carriers, on the other hand, have had to fly longer distances with dozens of empty seats, in the hope of making the plane light enough to avoid refueling, the New York Times reported, citing airline sources. More than a dozen planned new routes to Mumbai, Tokyo, Seoul and other cities were reportedly put on hold and are being taken up by competitors.
US Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Annie Petsonk declined to answer on Thursday whether the Biden administration had required Chinese carriers to avoid Russian airspace as a condition for approving the new routes, Reuters wrote.
According to the agency, the Chinese carriers and the Chinese Embassy in Washington were not immediately available for comment.
For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Manila Metro news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Manila Metro.
More InformationJAKARTA, Indonesia - According to Asian diplomats and the Philippines' president, Southeast Asian leaders have decided that Myanmar will not ...
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant milestone for its defense capabilities, Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically developed submarine. Although it ...
HONIARA, Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed that he opted out of a Pacific Islands leaders' summit at the ...
MANILA, The Philippines: The Philippines remains steadfast in its resolve not to yield to Chinese efforts to obstruct its fishermen ...
SEOUL, South Korea: Marking a tougher stand against North Korea, South Korea held its first large-scale military parade in over ...
Hangzhou [China], October 4 (ANI): Indian athletes Majnu Rani and Ram Baboo secured a bronze medal in the 35 m ...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: To resolve a pending litigation with the Oregon affiliate of the International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), ...
PANAMA CITY, Panama: On September 30, the Panama Canal said that due to a drought that has reduced the supply ...
TRIPOLI, Libya: Italy and Libya resumed commercial flights for the first time in ten years on September 30, with flight ...
SAINT GEORGE, Maine: A fire destroyed several waterfront buildings in Maine on September 29, including an art gallery with several ...
JAKARTA, Indonesia - According to Asian diplomats and the Philippines' president, Southeast Asian leaders have decided that Myanmar will not ...
NEW LONDON, Connecticut: Video footage taken deep in the Pacific Ocean provided the first detailed view of three World War ...