Saturday, November 9, 2024 European airlines are gradually reducing flight routes to China, signaling a potential “new normal” as they face geopolitical pressures, competitive disadvantages, and shifting market demand. Lufthansa, British Airways, Qantas and other airlines are on the list of airlines cutting back on their routes. While intercontinental travel between Europe and Asia has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, routes to Greater China tell a different story, with several European carriers scaling back or suspending flights entirely.
This trend, highlighted by aviation analyst Rodrigue in a recent AeroTime article, underscores the competitive imbalance European airlines face compared to Chinese carriers. While EU-based airlines must reroute to avoid Russian, Belarusian, and much of Ukrainian airspace, Chinese carriers benefit from access to Russian airspace, thanks to a “no limits” partnership between Russia and China. This routing advantage results in reduced flight times, lower fuel consumption, and cost savings, giving Chinese airlines a substantial edge.
For instance, China Southern’s flight from Guangzhou to London takes nearly three hours less than British Airways’ comparable route, significantly affecting fuel expenses and profit margins. According to Rodrigue, while these challenges have intensified since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the shift in Europe-China travel patterns is part of a larger trend. Since the 2016 US-China trade tensions .