European airlines are leaving China
In February 2022, the EU and the UK quickly imposed a complete ban on Russian aircraft flying in their countries. In response, Russia closed its airspace, forcing European carriers to fly to Asia on longer routes.
Since fuel accounts for about 25 percent of airlines' operating costs, flights to China have become significantly more expensive as a result, which has forced European companies to reconsider their plans. Longer flights also require more crew, which also increases costs.
Unlike the loud statements accompanying the opening of a new route, flight reductions are usually quiet. For example, Finnair reduced the number of non-stop flights from Helsinki to China from 42 per week in August 2019 to only 3 by August 2024, and also maintained communication with Hong Kong.
Chinese airlines continue to fly freely over Russia, and therefore capture the transportation market in this direction.
#aviation
In February 2022, the EU and the UK quickly imposed a complete ban on Russian aircraft flying in their countries. In response, Russia closed its airspace, forcing European carriers to fly to Asia on longer routes.
Since fuel accounts for about 25 percent of airlines' operating costs, flights to China have become significantly more expensive as a result, which has forced European companies to reconsider their plans. Longer flights also require more crew, which also increases costs.
Unlike the loud statements accompanying the opening of a new route, flight reductions are usually quiet. For example, Finnair reduced the number of non-stop flights from Helsinki to China from 42 per week in August 2019 to only 3 by August 2024, and also maintained communication with Hong Kong.
Chinese airlines continue to fly freely over Russia, and therefore capture the transportation market in this direction.
#aviation