【Text by Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】Accusing others of so-called "unfair competition", while actually "crying wolf", the United States has once again resorted to such underhanded tactics.

According to Reuters, on October 9 local time, the Trump administration threatened to ban Chinese airlines from flying over Russian airspace when operating flights between China and the United States. The U.S. claimed that previous policies have placed American airlines at a "disadvantage".

It is reported that on the same day, the U.S. Department of Transportation stated in its proposed order that "this imbalance has become an important competitive factor," and that the proposal to prohibit Chinese airlines from flying over Russian airspace aims to "narrow the competitive gap between Chinese and U.S. airlines".

The report said that this move by the U.S. comes as relations between the two countries have become increasingly tense over a series of trade issues. This decision may affect some U.S. flights operated by China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines. Currently, the U.S. Department of Transportation has given Chinese airlines two days to respond to the order, and it has warned that the final order could come into effect as early as November this year.

On November 11, 2023, China Airlines' flight CA985 took off from Beijing Capital International Airport heading to San Francisco International Airport. Visual China

Reuters reported that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in retaliation for the U.S. banning Russian airlines from flying over U.S. airspace, Russia has banned U.S. airlines and other Western airlines from flying over its airspace. In addition to being prohibited from entering Russian airspace by Russia or their own governments, some U.S. and Western airlines have also chosen not to fly over Russian airspace for safety reasons.

On the other hand, Chinese airlines continue to fly over Russian airspace, taking the shorter northern route to Europe and North America. For example, the flight time for British airlines on the London-Beijing route is 2.5 hours longer than that of Chinese airlines, facing higher fuel and costs.

Previously, U.S. airlines that had "hurt themselves" by banning flights over Russian airspace have been "sneering" at the fact that some Chinese airlines can fly over Russian airspace, claiming that this gives Chinese airlines advantages such as reduced flight time and lower fuel consumption.

Some U.S. airlines have already informed the Trump administration that due to the inability to fly over Russian airspace, which would increase costs, it makes it economically unfeasible to operate direct flights from the U.S. East Coast to China.

Over the past few years, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a large-scale reduction in Sino-U.S. flights. After the pandemic, all international passenger flight control measures were lifted, and Chinese and foreign airlines announced the restoration or increase of international and regional flights.

On April 30, 2023, the Financial Times reported that according to a source, the U.S. agreed to increase the number of flights from China to the U.S. from eight per week to twelve, but with the condition that flights from China to the U.S. must not fly over Russian airspace.

The report said that after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, due to U.S. sanctions against Russia, this led to U.S. airlines being banned from entering Russian airspace, forcing them to take longer routes and consume more fuel to bypass Russia. However, instead of self-reflection, the U.S. accused Chinese, Indian, and UAE airlines of gaining an "unfair advantage," threatening other airlines not to fly over Russian airspace, which has caused negotiations for the complete recovery of Sino-U.S. routes to stagnate.

The industry lobbying group "Airlines for America," representing U.S. airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines, stated in a speech to Congress that foreign airlines can achieve shorter flight times, lower costs, and less fuel consumption, putting U.S. airlines at a competitive disadvantage. It estimated that U.S. airlines lose a total of $2 billion in market share annually because of this.

However, the awkward situation that U.S. airlines are in ultimately stems from the U.S. and Western countries instigating the Russia-Ukraine conflict and imposing successive rounds of sanctions on Russia. Instead of reflecting on their own causes, the U.S. is recklessly threatening other airlines not to fly over Russian airspace, fully demonstrating the U.S.'s hegemonic mentality and double standard behavior.

In addition to the U.S., Europe has also targeted Chinese airlines, acidly and resentfully炒作 the so-called "unfair competition."

Last October 16, Bloomberg once cited reports that the largest European airline group, Air France KLM, along with Lufthansa of Germany, is lobbying the French and German governments to take measures against Chinese airlines.

Air France KLM is jointly established by Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, headquartered in Paris. A source revealed that Air France KLM is using the pretext of protecting European airlines from "unfair competition" to request the French government to limit the number of flights operated by Chinese airlines to Europe.

Some people said that the group's demands might involve requiring the French government to suspend existing traffic rights between France and China. Traffic rights, commonly known as air freedom, are aviation transport rights of a national nature set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Simply put, it refers to the right of an aircraft from one country to fly over the airspace of another country or land there.

Another source said that Lufthansa of Germany is also urging the German government to take the lead in challenging China on this issue.

Last April, major U.S. airlines and airline unions urged the Biden administration to pause the approval of additional flights between China and the U.S., citing the reason that "the Chinese government continues to implement anti-competitive policies."

In response, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at the time, "As a principle, I can tell you that increasing direct flights is a consensus reached during the meeting between the leaders of China and the U.S. in San Francisco, which is beneficial for the people of the two countries to strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual understanding."

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7559386554863583759/

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