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European airlines adding China flights despite Russian airspace barrier

Demand for China-Europe flights surges as airlines avoid Iranian, Russian airspace and divert tourists away from Southeast Asia

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An Air France Airbus A319-111 airplane taxis at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris, as demand for China-Europe flights climbs despite increased fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East. Photo: Reuters
Ralph Jennings
European airlines are adding flights to China despite costly airspace barriers over Russia to capture surging tourism demand and vie with Chinese carriers, analysts said.

The frequency of direct China-Europe flights will climb from 3,011 this month to a per-month maximum of 4,151 in August at the height of summer, British aviation intelligence firm OAG said on Sunday.

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The same span of time last year saw a similar flight frequency in May, but an increase to only 3,393 flights by that August.

Though the data reflects more activity on Chinese airlines, it lists hundreds of flights scheduled by European carriers such as Air France, Air Serbia, British Airways, Finnair, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and Turkish Airlines.

This month, frequency by European airlines – excluding Russian carriers – on China-Europe routes is expected to be at 508 before reaching 551 in July and August, OAG data shows. Their frequency made a smaller jump, from 445 to 463, between May and August last year.

Unlike their Chinese peers, European airlines are banned from flying over Russia en route to China and forced to take detours that lengthen flight times and use more jet fuel – the price of which has soared during this year’s Middle East conflict. Jet fuel cost US$181.22 per barrel as of May 1, the International Air Transport Association said.
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Normally popular Europe-Southeast Asia routes are harder to fly this year due to the danger of passing over Iranian airspace, analysts said, while China has been relaxing visa-free entry rules for European travellers since 2023.
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