US DOT proposes banning Chinese flights over Russia on US routes

The U.S. Transportation Department on Thursday proposed banning Chinese passenger airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States, saying the practice gives Chinese carriers an unfair competitive advantage. The agency said the proposed order responds to an imbalance created when Chinese carriers continued using Russian airspace while most U.S. and many other foreign carriers have been barred from doing so since early 2022. The department gave Chinese carriers two days to respond and said a final order could take effect as soon as November.

U.S. regulators framed the proposal as a measure to level the playing field for U.S. carriers, which they say face longer routes, higher fuel consumption and increased operating costs because they cannot use Russian airspace. Russia closed its skies to many Western carriers after those countries restricted Russian flights in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Using Russian airspace typically shortens transcontinental routes between Asia, Europe and North America, lowering flight time and fuel burn.

The proposal would apply to passenger services and would not extend to cargo flights, according to the Transportation...