This summer, China will add 29,000 European flights!
This is made possible by the ability to use Russian airspace.
On March 28, Tass reported that the total number of seats on two-way routes between China and Europe this summer will increase to 12.1 million.
Compared to last year, Chinese airlines will add nearly 2,900 European flights to their summer schedules, thanks to the access to Russian airspace.
The report cited by Tass comes from the South China Morning Post.
The newspaper noted that unlike many Western airlines, Chinese carriers can fly directly through Russian airspace to Europe without lengthy detours, enabling them to offer shorter routes, save fuel, and avoid flying over the unstable Middle East region.
According to SCMP, the number of Chinese airline flights to Europe will increase by 2,891, with Air China adding 1,120 flights, China Southern Airlines adding 839 flights, and China Eastern Airlines adding 654 flights.
Smaller airlines will also increase their flight numbers.
It is reported that overall, the total number of two-way seats between China and Europe (excluding Russia) during summer 2026 will rise from 10.4 million in 2025 to 12.1 million.
Previously, Russia had closed its airspace to several Western airlines in response to Western countries shutting down their airspace.
This has given Chinese carriers a significant advantage on China-Europe routes.
The South China Morning Post pointed out that as a result, some European airlines have reduced their flights to China or canceled them altogether, creating a gap that Chinese carriers are now filling.
Last year, European airlines expressed dissatisfaction, claiming it was unfair for European aviation and calling for measures against Chinese airlines.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860863039090688/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s).