Chinese Airlines Soar as International Competitors Retreat

Chinese airlines are gaining market share on international routes as foreign carriers retreat due to weak China travel demand, rising costs, and extended flight times caused by avoiding Russian airspace. Foreign airlines like British Airways and Qantas are cutting services, whereas Chinese airlines are expanding operations overseas.

Chinese airlines are increasingly dominating international routes, industry data reveals, as foreign competitors withdraw due to weak demand for travel to China, rising costs, and longer flight times caused by avoiding Russian airspace.

Western carriers, including British Airways and Qantas Airways, are cutting back on services or stopping flights to China post-pandemic. In stark contrast, Chinese airlines are ramping up their overseas operations, now operating a higher proportion of international flights to and from China than before COVID-19.

British Airways recently announced a year-long suspension of its London to Beijing route starting in late October, citing commercial reasons. The airline had earlier suspended one of its daily London-Hong Kong flights for similar reasons. China's growing international traffic has been slower than elsewhere due to economic challenges and a renewed focus on domestic travel.

(With inputs from agencies.)