KLM Demands Tariffs Against Chinese Carriers for Flying Over Russia

KLM Airlines CEO Marjan Rintel has urged the European Union to impose tariffs on Chinese carriers utilizing Russian airspace for flights between Europe and Asia.

This route has been barred to Western airlines since 2022, following a series of flight bans imposed by Russia in response to Western sanctions.

Rintel criticized the situation as "unfair competition," noting that Chinese airlines can take advantage of Russian airspace, resulting in significantly shorter flight times and reduced operational costs. She pointed out that this advantage could save Chinese carriers between two to four hours of travel, allowing them to offer lower ticket prices compared to European airlines.

In an interview on the Dutch television program WNL Op Zondag, Rintel emphasized the necessity for the European Commission to implement financial measures that would support European carriers in competing effectively against their Chinese counterparts. She compared KLM's situation to that of rival Lufthansa, which has also called for EU intervention to address these disparities.

This appeal comes as KLM announced austerity measures on October 3, targeting a €450 million ($497 million) improvement in operating results. Rintel acknowledged that KLM's financial performance contrasts with that of its sister airline, Air France, and discussed proposed measures to enhance efficiency, including addressing a pilot shortage and reorganizing flight services.

Rintel also noted that passengers on European flights will now have to pay for food and drinks, reflecting customer demand for greater choice rather than a decline in service quality.