Exclusive: Some Chinese Airlines Reroute Flights to Avoid Southern Russian Airspace (AI Translation)

独家｜部分中国航司航班绕开俄罗斯南部空域

[para. 1] In response to recent aviation challenges, several Chinese airlines are altering flight paths to avoid southern Russian airspace following the suspected shooting down of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243 by Russian defenses on December 25, 2024. This has led to rerouted flights by carriers like Air China and China Southern Airlines, which are now detouring through alternative countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan to reach destinations like Tbilisi, Georgia, bypassing Russia entirely.

[para. 2] Investigations revealed that original routes were approximately 130 kilometers from the crash site of flight J28243 near Grozny, Russia. Despite rerouting, flights like China Southern Airlines' CZ6039 and CZ6040, connecting Urumqi with Tbilisi, showed minimal changes in flight duration. Similarly, China Southern Airlines routes from Budapest to Guangzhou have also adjusted their paths to avoid contentious regions in Russia.

[para. 3] The changes are part of broader modifications affecting Chinese airline routes through the Caucasus, avoiding Russian airspace for improved safety. Air China and other airlines on routes from China to Greece, Italy, and Turkey have avoided entering Russian airspace by flying along international borderlines.

[para. 4] Such adjustments follow the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243, which caused heightened safety concerns. Azerbaijani President Aliyev confirmed the aircraft's downing by Russia, stressing it wasn’t intentional but nonetheless called for accountability.

[para. 5] The aviation safety concerns are underlined by reports highlighting unchanged flight paths of Chinese airlines to Western and Northern Europe, encompassing Russia's central and northern routes, contrasting with the rerouted European flights post-2022 mutual airspace sanctions due to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

[para. 6] These geopolitical tensions have driven the intensified frequency of Russia announcing temporary airport closures via "Carpet" instructions, mandating immediate airspace clearance, amid increasing drone attack threats, adding aviation safety challenges.

[para. 7] The deteriorating stability within Russia, with escalated drone attacks targeting vital infrastructure as far as northern regions like Murmansk, prompts continuous adaptation in civil aviation operations amidst expanding conflict zones. The presence of military-grade drones increasingly disrupts Russian airspace, affecting flights and airport operations.

[para. 8] The conflict's impact on civil aviation remains significant, leading to route suspensions, like Kazakhstan's Air Astana suspending flights to certain Russian cities. Meanwhile, various airlines—especially from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa—still traverse Russian airspace despite pervasive safety concerns.

[para. 9] China's airlines, being some of the most frequent users of Russian airspace, along with Air Serbia's adjustments, highlight the cost benefits of shorter routes despite notable safety risks. Passenger anxiety is growing, with incidents like the Azerbaijan Airlines' tragedy reminding of past events, such as the MH17 downing in 2014 that alarmed the industry about civilian aviation risks in conflict zones.

[para. 10] The International Civil Aviation Organization has advocated for caution in conflict zones, though jurisdiction limits its regulatory authority. The determination to reroute lies individually with airlines, leading to varied responses globally as the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict demands reevaluation of safe aviation practices.

The piece underscores the intricate dynamics of civil aviation against a backdrop of geopolitical challenges, amid calls for enduring extra caution for airlines navigating or rerouting around Russian airspace.