Chinese airlines to add thousands of new flights to Europe over the next six months

Chinese airlines are ramping up operations in Europe, planning to add thousands of new flights over the next six months. This move comes as the Middle East conflict and the disruption to airspace over Russia–Ukraine create major challenges for European airlines. After the US and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks in the region, airlines operating routes between Europe and Asia have had to find narrower corridors to fly through, because Russia and Ukraine's airspaces remain closed. This means longer flights and higher fuel consumption amid soaring oil prices. However, for Chinese carriers they can fly through Russian airspace, a situation that offers more business opportunities. Nikkei Asia quoted Linus Bauer, head of aviation advisory firm BAA & Partners, saying Chinese airlines have a structural edge on Europe–Asia routes since they can fly over Russia, while European airlines must go south. These detours can cost a carrier an extra $8,000–$20,000 per hour just for fuel. When other costs are included, airlines could face added costs of $15,000 to $30,000 per such flight. British Airways' website shows it only operates direct flights to Beijing through a codeshare with China Southern. Skyscanner shows a Frankfurt–Shanghai flight in the same period on Air China priced at 870 euros (about $1,015), while Lufthansa prices it at 1,008 euros. Marco Forster, ASEAN regional director at Dezan Shira & Associates, says shorter routes mean lower fuel consumption, lower operating costs, and more competitive fares. According to OAG, Chinese airlines are planning to add a total of 2,350 flights to Western Europe this summer compared with the same period last year. The increase is led by Air China with 969 additional flights, followed by China Eastern with 697 and China Southern with 410 flights in the spring–summer period from March to October. Chinese carriers are also opening new connections to European cities. For example, Chinese airlines have for the first time launched direct routes linking Beijing Daxing International Airport with Frankfurt, Helsinki, and Milan, serving more than 100 flights on these routes. Beyond the advantage of routes, Beijing is expanding visa-free travel for many European countries this year. European airlines are currently hedging risk from high fuel prices. Some carriers hedge up to about 90% of their estimated fuel consumption, according to analysts. However, fuel supply disruptions could eventually force cancellations on Europe–Asia flights, especially in May, said Kpler, a logistics data company. Nevertheless, some European airlines have quickly tapped into the demand of travelers facing disruptions in the Gulf. Finnair has reported a 15% increase in average fares to Asia due to higher demand. British Airways announced more flights to Bangkok and Singapore in mid-March, while reducing flights to the Middle East. For winter 2026, it added flights to Melbourne and Colombo. “Right now European airlines will attract demand for Europe–Asia trips as many travelers will be wary of flying through Gulf hubs. These passengers will have to pay higher fares due to higher fuel costs,” said Edmond Rose, head of aviation consulting at ASM Global Route Development. However, Bauer warned that the intensified flight activity is a temporary opportunity at best, and that sustainable profitability and a stable network are essential in the long term. “This is not a short-term disruption; it is reshaping the competitive dynamic between Europe and Asia. European airlines are at a disadvantage, while Chinese airlines have gained a significant edge,” he said.