Lufthansa Contemplates Suspending Frankfurt to Beijing Route Because of Unfair Competition
The German airline is considering whether to continue operating daily flights between Frankfurt and Beijing due to high costs and weak demand. A final decision on cutting the connection from Frankfurt will be made in October, according to a Lufthansa spokesperson. The airline is continuously evaluating and optimizing its route network.
Due to the Russian-Ukrainian war causing the closure of Russian airspace to most European airlines, Lufthansa flights have had to detour to avoid it, increasing costs and flight times. On the other hand, airlines from China, the Middle East, and other countries benefit from shorter flight times, lower costs, and the use of Russian airspace. This unequal competition, along with rising taxes, fees, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure issues, reduces European airlines’ international competitiveness.
Despite these challenges, Lufthansa will continue its daily flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai. The decision to cut routes to China is influenced by weak demand, rising costs, political factors, and unequal competition. British Airways has already announced the cancellation of routes to Beijing in October.
Experts predict more Western airlines may follow suit due to similar reasons like weak market demand, slow tourism recovery post-COVID-19, and geopolitical factors. This trend could have economic repercussions on China’s aviation industry, trade, and tourism. It may also impact the regime’s international image and lead to transportation difficulties.
Unequal competition from Chinese airlines has led to significant losses for major Western airlines, prompting them to lobby for international economic pressure on China. This could involve seeking preferential treatment for foreign investors from Beijing or imposing restrictions on certain Chinese industries, products, or trade practices in the EU and the U.S.
