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US airlines oppose China's bid to add more flights
Airlines for America said Chinese carriers have an advantage on eight Russia overflights and warned more service would widen the gap, citing current flight limits.
- On Thursday in Washington, Airlines for America head Chris Sununu opposed Chinese President Jinping's proposal to increase direct flights between the United States and China, citing competitive disadvantages for American carriers.
- Sununu cited the continued restriction of United States carriers from Russian airspace, which Russia imposed in 2022 after banning U.S. flights following its invasion of Ukraine, while Chinese airlines continue utilizing that airspace for eight flights.
- Before 2020, more than 150 weekly round-trip flights were allowed between the United States and China; capacity fell to 12 by August 2023 and currently stands at around 50 per week for each side.
- In October 2025, the Transportation Department proposed banning Chinese airlines from overflying Russia on United States routes, but the measure faced opposition from other federal agencies and was shelved ahead of trade talks.
- United States carriers remain effectively barred from flying from the East Coast to China because they cannot access Russian airspace, a restriction that continues driving industry opposition to approving additional Chinese flight capacity.
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Total News Sources4
Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
C 75%
R 25%
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