Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group have formally requested the European Union to reassess current airspace regulations, arguing that existing restrictions are creating economic disparities for European airlines on long-haul routes to Asia. The carriers highlight that while they are barred from utilizing Russian airspace, airlines from China and the Middle East retain access, allowing for direct flights. This report is based on information from the US-based publication AirGuide Publications.
Prior to March 2022, European airlines operated approximately 30% of their flights along the Trans-Siberian route, transiting through Russian airspace. Carriers based in the United Kingdom, in particular, extensively utilized this corridor for flights to Southeast Asian destinations, as well as to Japan, China, and Korea. On average, over 50 transit flights crossed Siberian and European Russian airspace daily. According to Rosaviatsiya (Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency), this figure peaked at 70 on February 25, 2022.
For comparative context, in 2019, the number of trans-Eurasian flights over Russian territory operated by European carriers reached 360,000. By 2021, this figure had decreased to approximately 200,000. Following February 24, 2022, such flights ceased entirely.
In response to Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, the European Commission and the UK imposed flight bans on Russian airlines transiting over European airspace. Initially targeting Aeroflot, these sanctions were subsequently extended to all carriers with ties to Russia. In a reciprocal measure, Rosaviatsiya restricted transit for European airlines over Russian territory, effectively barring them from the most direct routes.
The rerouting necessitates flight time extensions ranging from one to four hours per flight, depending on origin, destination, and aircraft type. This increased flight duration directly impacts fuel consumption, crew workload, and overall operational costs. For instance, a London to Tokyo route flown by a Boeing 787-9 incurs an approximate two-hour delay in each direction to circumvent Russia. This translates to an additional fuel expenditure of about 11.6 metric tons, costing approximately $9,950, and generating 37 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. Similarly, a Helsinki to Tokyo flight operated by an Airbus A350-900 faces an additional four-hour flight time. This escalation results in a fuel consumption increase of 22.4 metric tons, with associated fuel costs reaching $19,200 and CO₂ emissions climbing to 71 metric tons.
Considering current fuel prices ranging from $86 to $90 per barrel, these additional expenses represent a significant economic burden for European airlines. The disparity in routing also confers a competitive advantage to carriers with access to Russian airspace, enabling them to offer ticket prices 5-35% lower on Europe-Asia routes. Consequently, European carriers are losing market share and attracting fewer passengers who opt for more efficient, shorter itineraries.
Executives from Air France-KLM and Lufthansa support a US initiative aimed at restricting airspace access for airlines continuing to utilize Russian routes, which includes several Chinese carriers. They emphasize that adherence to EU geopolitical mandates should not come at the expense of European airlines’ economic viability.
Beyond direct route-related cost impacts, carriers are also concerned about the uneven application of environmental regulations, tax burdens, and market-distorting practices by state-backed airlines such as Qatar Airways. European carriers are advocating for a unified EU policy grounded in reciprocity, ensuring fair competition, and supporting industry consolidation. The overarching objective of these measures is to preserve Europe’s competitiveness on long-haul international routes.
Without a regulatory overhaul, industry leaders predict a continued erosion of market share for European airlines. This could diminish Europe’s appeal as a departure region and exacerbate financial pressures on carriers. The implementation of any new regulations should comprehensively account for flight times, fuel expenditures, and operational parameters for all airlines operating on Europe-Asia routes.
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