PARIS—France and China are negotiating the ramp-up of flights between the two countries amid fears on the French side that a rapid increase could distort competition in favor of Chinese carriers.
PARIS—France and China are negotiating an increase in flights between the two countries, despite French concerns that a rapid expansion might distort competition in favor of Chinese carriers.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine over a year ago, European airlines have been denied access to Russian airspace. To fly to Asian locations, European airlines must endure longer flight times and incur more expenditures.
A bilateral agreement dating back to 1966 governs traffic rights between France and China. The agreement allows for a maximum of 126 weekly flights on either side of the agreement, albeit this figure has never been met.
Around 90 flights per week were authorized for the summer of 2019, with about two-thirds of them being run by Chinese airlines.
The bilateral accord which was most recently revised in 2017, contains a provision that calls for discussions between the two parties to determine what to do if one country's airlines are unable to fly over Russia. A situation like this increases expenditures by requiring an additional 2-3 hours of travel time and more crew.
The expiration of COVID-related travel restrictions in China at the beginning of 2023 opens up the potential of restoration to more typical levels of traffic between both countries after years of minimal flights during the pandemic.
“Since the reopening of Chinese borders in January-February 2023, and through very frequent exchanges with Chinese authorities, the minister of transport is proceeding with a gradual reopening of traffic with China, which is essential in France for a certain number of players,” a French transport ministry spokesperson said.
