Airlines Suspend Flights to China Amid Ongoing Geopolitical Tensions
As the conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its third year, Western airlines are encountering significant challenges, particularly with restrictions on flying over Russian airspace, which covers over 6.6 million square miles.
Earlier this year, Virgin Atlantic announced it would halt its service between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in October 2024, citing “significant challenges and complexities.”
U.S. carriers such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines continue to operate flights to Beijing and Shanghai, but they have experienced substantial delays in reinstating routes that were initially cut during the pandemic. These disruptions are compounded by the escalating political tensions between the United States and China.
