China's aviation come-back stokes tensions over access to Russian airspace

China’s return to the skies as it eases COVID-19 restrictions is ramping up concerns about congestion and possible trade tensions as far away as Europe, as carriers seek to restore lucrative services without some of them being able to fly over Russia. Western airlines have not had access to Russia’s East-West air corridors since Moscow’s February invasion of Ukraine triggered Western sanctions and retaliatory bans by Russia. But Chinese cargo carriers kept flying and passengers may follow. “I don’t see there’s any appetite for removing sanctions while the war continues,” Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told Reuters. But that could have unforeseen effects as China returns to the international air passenger market. “That clearly will have a big impact on traffic flows between Europe and Asia. I think it will also start raising questions from European carriers as to whether it’s fair that some carriers can travel to Europe through Russian airspace and others can’t,” he said on the sidelines of an airlines briefing. “I expect that to become more of an issue of discussion in 2023,” he added. Walsh’s comments shed light on emerging concerns over the knock-on effect of the closure of Russian airspace to 36 Western countries, whose impact has until now been dampened by a slump in travel demand to China. Chinese authorities have begun revising the country’s draconian zero-COVID policies, and may announce further steps on Wednesday. The potential impact is far-reaching because one flight between Europe and Asia usually generates three throughout the air traffic network as passengers take connecting flights to and from major hubs, according to Brussels-based Eurocontrol.<br/>