AIRLINES flying to Europe from Hong Kong are asking China to change a new routing system that has increased flying times and costs.
The new west-only route, numbered R339 and mandated last month by the Civil Aviation Authority of China, adds 84 kilometres onto Europe-bound flights.
That translates into about 15 minutes more flying time and makes it more difficult for airlines to ensure non-stop flights.
It also means at least 2,000 extra kilograms of fuel is needed, along with a reduction of either cargo or passengers.
Cathay Pacific said it had been forced to reduce its cargo by as much as four tonnes per flight.
Airline officials were not willing to say how much the route changes were costing them, but it is known that losses are being incurred from the reduced cargo capacities, the increased use of aircraft and the extra time that must be paid to air crews.
Mainland authorities said they implemented the changes in an effort to deal with the ever-increasing traffic over southern China by organising it in one-way directions.
