Airlines for America (A4A), which represents U.S. carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, has opposed Air China’s request to operate two additional flights between Beijing and New York and Washington.
Following Air China’s application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on September 14, A4A filed its objection on September 17. The association requested that the flights be permitted only as charter services rather than being added to Air China’s regular schedule.
The objection centres on competitive conditions related to the use of Russian airspace. Since Russia closed its airspace to U.S. airlines in 2022, American carriers have been required to use longer routes on flights to China, while Chinese airlines continue to fly through Russian airspace. A4A argues that this gives Chinese carriers an advantage in terms of flight time and operating costs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed in October 2025 to prohibit Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace on flights to the United States, but the measure was later postponed. A final decision on Air China’s request for the two additional flights has not yet been announced.
