Trump proposes ban on Chinese airlines using Russian airspace on US routes

10-Oct-2025

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The Trump administration on October 9 proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russian airspace on routes to and from the United States, arguing the practice gives Chinese carriers an unfair competitive edge. 

The US Transportation Department (DOT) said the move aims to “level this competitive disparity,” noting that Chinese airlines benefit from shorter flight times and lower fuel costs by continuing to use Russian routes, while US carriers are barred from doing so.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Washington prohibited Russian aircraft from entering US airspace, prompting Moscow to retaliate by banning American and other Western airlines from flying over Russia. 

As a result, US carriers must take longer, more costly routes to Asia, while Chinese airlines—still permitted to use Russian airspace—avoid those limitations. The DOT said this “imbalance” has caused “substantial adverse competitive effects” on US airlines.