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The share of international flights to and from China operated by local carriers is growing steadily.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Chinese carriers have continued to take shorter northern routes to Europe and North America over Russia’s airspace, while this option has been unavailable for European airlines. Reuters notes that this has given Chinese airlines a cost advantage, allowing them to take a greater share of the international market.
Lufthansa CEO said that the company’s weakness in Asia stemmed not from a lack of economic opportunities, but from the strengthening of Chinese carriers. Shorter routes over Russia have given PRC companies a price advantage.
British Airways said that it would halt flights from London to Beijing from 26 October until November 2025. Australia’s Qantas cited half-empty planes and low demand for travel when it suspended Sydney–Shanghai flights in July, while Royal Brunei Airlines pointed to “market conditions” as the reason for suspending Beijing flights from October.