Western airlines are experiencing significant financial setbacks following Russia’s closure of its airspace to their flights, reports the South China Morning Post.
This decision has inadvertently provided Chinese airlines with a competitive edge, as they continue to have access to Russian airspace.
According to the newspaper, a representative from Lufthansa, Jorg Faber, highlighted the unequal competition now facing European carriers. “European airlines are at a complete disadvantage compared to Chinese companies,” said Faber.
He noted that utilizing shorter routes through Russian airspace offers Chinese airlines a significant cost-reduction advantage.
The South China Morning Post further detailed that flights from Beijing to Frankfurt average 9.5 hours for Chinese carriers, while German airlines take approximately 12 hours for the same route.
The extended flight duration leads to increased ticket prices due to higher fuel, maintenance, and crew costs.
Consequently, Asian flights that traverse Russian territory are between 600 to 1200 yuan ($78-$156) cheaper for Chinese airlines and also quicker.
The current scenario has drastically reduced the number of weekly flights by Western airlines to Asian destinations compared to 2019.
For instance, during peak season, European airlines now operate only 23 weekly flights from Amsterdam to Chinese cities, down from 43 pre-pandemic.
This aviation landscape shift occurred on February 28, 2022, when the Russian Federation closed its airspace to 36 countries in retaliation to those countries banning Russian aircraft from their skies.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced after a meeting with defense ministers that NATO would continue to enhance its presence on the eastern side near the Russian border.
Rutte stated that NATO would increase the strength and presence of its eastern wing along the Russian border, including boosting air defense systems and deploying artillery and fifth-generation fighters.
“We have discussed strengthening our collective defense and deterrence methods… We have recently significantly increased our presence on the eastern side and have reinforced our air patrols. The allies will provide air defense systems and artillery, mainly modern F-35, fifth-generation aircraft,” said Rutte.
