COLOGNE- German airline Lufthansa (LH) is considering canceling its daily Frankfurt (FRA)-Beijing (PEK) flights due to increased competition and rising operational costs in Europe.
The company will make a final decision in October while maintaining its daily Munich (MUC)-Beijing route, Reuters reported.
Lufthansa Cancel Frankfurt to Beijing
Chinese carriers are gaining market share on international routes as foreign airlines face weak demand for travel to China, higher expenses, and longer flight times due to Russian airspace restrictions.
European airlines, including Lufthansa, are struggling to compete with Chinese, Gulf, and Turkish carriers that benefit from lower costs and stronger government support.
Lufthansa’s spokesperson highlighted the challenges European carriers face, including higher taxes, stricter regulations, and inadequate infrastructure.
These factors are negatively impacting their international competitiveness. The airline is calling for European policymakers to develop new industrial strategies to address these issues.
Well, Lufthansa is not the sole European carrier to cut its flights to China. On the other hand, Chinese carriers such as Air China (CA) and China Southern Airlines (CZ) are adding new routes and increasing flight frequencies on European routes.
British Airways and Virgin Cuts China
British Airways (BA) will also suspend direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Beijing from October 26, 2024, to November 2025. The decision stems from the Russian airspace ban on European carriers, forcing airlines to use longer, costlier routes to Asian destinations.
BA did not provide a detailed explanation for the suspension. However, industry experts attribute the move to the challenges posed by the airspace restrictions. The extended flight paths increase fuel consumption, operational costs, and flight durations, making certain routes economically unviable.
The airline confirms that its daily flights to Shanghai (PVG) and Hong Kong (HKG) will continue without interruption.
Further, Virgin Atlantic (VS) has announced the termination of its London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong route, citing Russian airspace restrictions as the primary cause.
The final flight departs on October 25, 2024, ending 25 years of service. Virgin Atlantic operates the 4,987-nautical-mile route daily using Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The airline initiated Shanghai flights in 1999, establishing vital UK-China connectivity. Virgin Atlantic’s spokesperson emphasizes the route’s significance in supporting global supply chains through cargo operations. The decision to suspend the service follows a thorough evaluation by the airline.
Virgin Atlantic acknowledges the contributions of its Shanghai-based staff and expresses gratitude to customers who have used the service over the past 25 years.
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