Western airlines cut flights to China: Reason revealed
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Western airlines continue to cut flights to China, citing low demand and high costs associated with avoiding Russian airspace. Other reasons include rising geopolitical tensions between Beijing, the US, and its allies, referencing the Financial Times.
The competitiveness of Western airlines compared to Chinese carriers, which still can fly through Russian territory, continues to decline.
This month, British Airways announced it will suspend flights between London and Beijing starting in October. This decision comes just weeks after British Virgin Atlantic closed its sole route to Shanghai.
Australian airline Qantas has also announced it will reduce the number of flights on the Sydney-Shanghai route due to insufficient aircraft occupancy.
According to industry data provider OAG, the number of international flights from Europe and North America to China for the summer season of 2024 has decreased by more than 60% compared to the peak in 2018.
Russia's ban on flights of Western carriers over its airspace
Since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally, the number of Western flights to China began to decline sharply.
In 2022, Russia banned flights by American and European airlines over its territory, leading to increased fuel costs. These now account for 25% to 30% of operational expenses. This reason is one of the primary explanations for the reduction in the number of flights.
Before the pandemic and the Russian ban, China had one of the largest aviation markets in the world. Currently, despite efforts to restore demand, it remains significantly lower than in 2019.
Experts also highlight significant changes in China’s relations with the US and Europe as contributing factors. The geopolitical tensions have inevitably impacted demand and, as a result, reduced flights to Beijing.
Recently, Bloomberg reported a drop in demand for Chinese electric vehicles in the European market. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian government announced a complete phase-out of Chinese technology in all government bodies and institutions starting in 2025.
Also, the Taiwanese government is preparing its citizens for a possible Chinese invasion.
