European airlines ignore Russian airspace flight ban and continue to increase flights to China

Foreign media: European airlines continue to launch new flights to China despite Russia's airspace flight restrictions.

Data from OAG shows that direct flights between Europe and China in May totaled 3,011, increasing to 4,151 during the peak season in August—exceeding the 3,393 flights in the same period last year. Among these, flights operated by European airlines (excluding Russian carriers) will rise from 508 this month to 551 in July and August, a significant increase compared to 463 flights during the same period last year.

Despite longer flight routes and rising fuel costs due to detours around Russian airspace—aviation fuel prices reached $181.22 per barrel on May 1—and increased risks over Iranian airspace due to ongoing Middle East conflicts, European airlines are actively expanding their networks, driven by surging tourism demand following China’s visa-free policy for European travelers starting in 2023.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864964755945545/

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