US may restrict Chinese airline use of Russian airspace amid trade tensions

A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry responded through state media outlet Global Times: "Any US restrictions on Chinese airline operations would harm personnel exchanges between the two countries."

At present, Chinese carriers are permitted up to 50 roundtrip flights per week between China and the United States—a limit set by the DOT in March 2024 when it was raised from 35 weekly flights in efforts to restore normal air connectivity between both countries. This figure has remained unchanged despite opposition from US airlines and unions. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, both nations' carriers were allowed up to 150 round-trip flights per week.

China's three largest airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—all operate services to the United States; however, not all of their routes pass through Russian airspace. For example, Air China's Beijing-Los Angeles route does fly over Russia while China Eastern's Shanghai-San Francisco service does not. Some new routes approved by DOT since 2023 require avoiding Russian airspace entirely.

The debate about airspace access occurs amid growing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. On October 9, 2025, China announced reductions in rare earth exports—a move met with President Donald Trump's threat on October 10 of “massive” new tariffs on China and cancellation of a planned summit with President Xi Jinping.

In September 2025 reports surfaced suggesting that Chinese airlines were close to placing an order for 500 aircraft from Boeing—the first significant deal since 2017 if finalized. At a press conference on September 23, Representative Adam Smith said: “It has been a while since Boeing airplanes were sold here in China,” adding hopes for renewed sales soon.

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