LONDON- Virgin Atlantic (VS) announces the termination of its sole mainland China route, connecting London Heathrow (LHR) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). The airline cites “significant challenges and complexities” stemming from Russian airspace restrictions as the primary reason for this decision.
The final flight will depart on October 25, 2024, marking the end of a 25-year service history.
Virgin Atlantic Exits China
The route, currently operated daily using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, spans 4,987 nautical miles. Virgin Atlantic has served Shanghai since 1999, providing crucial connectivity between the UK and China. The airline’s spokesperson acknowledges the importance of this route in supporting global supply chains through cargo operations.
The decision to suspend the Shanghai service comes after careful consideration by Virgin Atlantic. The airline expresses gratitude towards its staff and customers in Shanghai, recognizing their contributions over the past quarter-century. However, the ongoing challenges have made the route commercially unsustainable.
This development reflects the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on the aviation industry. The inability to overfly Russian airspace has significantly affected airlines operating between Europe and Asia, forcing them to take longer routes and incur higher operational costs.
Main Reason for Cancellation
Virgin Atlantic terminates its London-Shanghai route due to increased operational costs. The airline cites the inability to overfly Russia as the primary cause, resulting in longer flight times.
Flights from London to Shanghai now take an extra hour, while the return leg extends by two hours. This change requires additional aircraft and crew time, impacting the route’s viability.
The decision follows Russia’s airspace closure to many international carriers after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Chinese airlines continue to use Russian airspace, gaining a competitive advantage on Europe-Asia routes. Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith has called for a ban on airlines overflying Russia from landing in Europe, highlighting the industry’s concerns.
After Virgin Atlantic’s exit, four carriers will continue to serve the London-Shanghai market. British Airways (BA) and China Eastern Airlines (MU) offer daily flights from Heathrow to Pudong. Air China provides daily service from Gatwick to Pudong, while China Eastern operates twice-daily flights on the same route.
Virgin Atlantic resumed its Shanghai service in May 2023 after a two-year suspension due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. The airline will offer full refunds to passengers booked on flights after October 26, 2024.
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