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The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

Tech 2024-08-19 10:36:58 Source: Network
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The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace BanAs the pandemic era comes to a close and the tourism industry gradually recovers, friendly exchanges between people from different countries are becoming increasingly close. However, a recent event has raised eyebrows: several foreign airlines have announced the suspension of flights to China

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

As the pandemic era comes to a close and the tourism industry gradually recovers, friendly exchanges between people from different countries are becoming increasingly close. However, a recent event has raised eyebrows: several foreign airlines have announced the suspension of flights to China. The incident has prompted other countries to follow suit, leaving people wondering why they are abandoning the lucrative Chinese market. This decision is closely linked to Russia's actions.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

The Curious Actions of International Airlines

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 swept across the globe, forcing economies worldwide to shut down. The airline industry, heavily reliant on tourism and finance, was particularly hard hit, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy for three years. Even airlines with multi-billion dollar valuations were severely impacted.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

As the pandemic gradually subsided, the airline industry experienced a resurgence. China, with its massive population, emerged as a highly influential aviation market, presenting a profitable opportunity for international airlines.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

However, a strange event has unfolded recently, with many foreign carriers announcing the suspension of flights to China. In early August, British Airways issued a notice stating their impending suspension of the London-Beijing route, much to the dismay of numerous students and overseas businesspeople. This means they will now have to transfer through other countries to reach the UK, a time-consuming and costly process.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

British Airways' action is not an isolated case. In May 2024, Qantas Airlines announced the cancellation of flights from Sydney to Shanghai, followed by British Airways suspending the London-Shanghai route indefinitely. This was the only direct connection between the two cities. Earlier this month, they also canceled the London-Beijing route, effectively withdrawing British Airways from the Chinese market.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

While not as blatant as the UK and Australia, other countries have also taken subtle measures. For example, Emirates Airlines has replaced its A380 aircraft, previously used on the China route, with the much smaller 777-300ER, making tickets extremely difficult to obtain.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

This raises suspicions that these actions might not be coincidental. Given the immense size of the Chinese market, which has always been cherished by airlines worldwide, their current actions are perplexing. Are they truly abandoning the pursuit of profits? Ultimately, the focus shifts to Russia

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

Russia as the Potential Culprit

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

Faced with protests from Chinese citizens, several airlines have yielded to public pressure and offered explanations, claiming that the China routes are unprofitable. While a single airline citing such a reason might be plausible, the identical responses from multiple airlines raise further suspicions.

The Truth Behind the Suspension of Flights to China: A Look at the Russian Airspace Ban

Many speculate that, given the current global landscape where Western countries are eyeing China with suspicion, could someone be imposing sanctions or obstructing these airlines, forcing them to take this course of action? However, this argument is tenuous; who would intentionally forgo profits? Even if someone wished to intervene, how could they justify completely abandoning the lucrative Chinese market?

Experts have identified three possible explanations.

Firstly, it could be true, as airlines claim, that the China routes are not generating profits. Following the pandemic, various sectors have been severely impacted, leaving individuals with limited financial capacity for discretionary spending, especially on travel. Therefore, apart from student groups and overseas business professionals with regular international travel needs, few others have any plans to travel abroad. This has led to a significant decrease in passenger traffic, and ticket revenue may not even cover the operating costs of a long-haul flight. Hence, multiple foreign airlines have been forced to abandon these routes.

Secondly, the increasing competition within China's airline industry has made it challenging for foreign carriers to compete. Previously, Chinese airlines relied on imports from abroad, primarily Boeing and Airbus. However, China has now successfully developed its own large passenger aircraft, the C919, which is now in commercial operation. Furthermore, the advanced version, C929, is nearing its launch. In the future, Chinese-made aircraft will undoubtedly occupy a leading position in the world. Additionally, China has the largest number of airlines globally. To attract more passengers, domestic airlines are engaging in fierce competition, offering price reductions, subsidies, and membership benefits to entice customers. Given this intense domestic competition, foreign airlines have little room to operate in China, presenting another reason for their withdrawal.

The most significant factor, however, is inextricably linked to Russia. To safeguard its airspace, Russia has implemented a policy of closing its airspace. As a result, airlines from countries aligned with the US are prohibited from entering Russian airspace. With the intensification of the Ukraine conflict, the lifting of this closure is unlikely unless the US stops supplying military weapons to Ukraine and ceases its behind-the-scenes manipulation.

Therefore, since Russia's policy came into effect, numerous airlines have had to alter their routes to China, flying much longer distances and incurring significant additional costs. As a result, with passenger traffic declining and routes becoming longer, continuing to operate China flights based on the original plan would be a losing proposition for foreign airlines.

Conclusion

The relationship between China and Russia has always been amicable. It is understood that the current situation is not a deliberate action by Russia, which is merely taking appropriate measures to protect its airspace. However, objectively, this has undoubtedly impacted foreign airlines' investments in the Chinese market.

While this has caused significant inconvenience for Chinese citizens, it presents an extraordinary opportunity for domestic airlines. The vast Chinese market still holds immense potential, and it is hoped that domestic airlines will seize this opportunity to continue their growth.

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References:

Hexun.com, 2024-08-09, British Airways to Suspend Flights to Beijing in Late October: Slower Demand and Circumnavigation of Russian Airspace Lead to Longer Flight Times! Multiple Airlines Reduce Flights to China

Henan Business Daily, 2024-08-13, British Airways Announces Suspension of Beijing Flights, Staff: Cross-border Travel Tourists Have Decreased

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