Air France, the largest airline in France, has publicly called on French authorities to curb the number of flights operated by Chinese carriers to the republic. The appeal arrives amid broader geopolitical considerations shaping aviation policy, with observers noting how tensions involving major powers influence decisions in Europe and beyond.
Air France contends that Chinese airlines enjoy a perceived advantage because, unlike European rivals, they can fly across Russian airspace. This freedom to route flights over a critical corridor is cited as a factor contributing to a cost and competitive imbalance in the European aviation market. The airline argues that adjusting access or costs in this area could help restore level playing conditions for European carriers, particularly in the most important markets where competition remains intense.
Industry insiders point to the French government as a pivotal actor in determining how such a shift in policy might be implemented. Bloomberg, reporting on the matter, notes that Air France is seeking measures from the French presidency that would realign the cost base for Chinese airlines to be more in line with European operators. The aim is to reduce distortions in competition that, in the airline’s view, have emerged under current rules, ensuring fairer competition across major hubs and routes.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Air France operated about 32 weekly flights to China. Today, the airline runs six one-way flights per week to the country, a reduction that mirrors broader changes in the aviation sector and ongoing geopolitical considerations. The stance taken by Air France highlights a broader debate about airspace access, trade policy, and fair competition within international aviation networks. Stakeholders are closely watching policy developments in Paris and Brussels for potential actions, including regulatory responses or tax considerations that could shape future flight patterns and market dynamics. Reports from Bloomberg and related industry analyses underscore how strategic policy levers in capital cities can ripple through airline networks, affecting routing, pricing, and service levels across continents.