In a recent interview with WNL television, KLM CEO Marjan Rintel has urged the European Union to take action against what she describes as "unfair" competition from Chinese airlines benefitting from access to Russian airspace. Since the commencement of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, EU airlines have been barred from flying over Russian territories, leading to increased operational costs and extended flying times.
Rintel highlighted that the exclusion of Russian airspace has resulted in a significant additional two to four hours of flight time for European carriers, consequently driving up their operational expenses. This hindrance has given Chinese airlines a competitive advantage, as they continue to operate flights with the privilege of utilizing Russian airspace.
As a result of this disparity, European airlines, including British Airways and Deutsche Lufthansa, are faced with tough decisions regarding their routes to China. British Airways recently announced a suspension of its London-Beijing flights until November next year, while Lufthansa is contemplating the reduction of its Frankfurt-Beijing service due to the challenges posed by Gulf carriers.
Moreover, Air France-KLM's Dutch branch has initiated cost-saving measures, such as deferring investments and exploring the divestment of non-core assets. These strategic actions underscore the seriousness of the situation faced by European airlines in navigating the current aviation landscape shaped by geopolitical tensions and operational impediments.