British Airways Axes London-Beijing Route

DALLAS – British Airways (BA) has no choice but to stop operating flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) on October 26, 2024, due to the Russian airspace ban on western carriers, which forces airlines to fly longer re-routings.

The London-Beijing route is an important one for the IAG-owned airline, resuming the connection last year with its Boeing 777 aircraft.

The British flag carrier joins Virgin Atlantic (VS) in cutting routes to the Asian country, Shanghai being the last destination in the Far East for the latter carrier, as flying over China has become too costly given the current demand for air travel between Europe and China, which has faced significant shifts due to the challenges brought about by geopolitical and economic factors.

First, the aforementioned ban on Western airlines from using Russian airspace due to the Ukraine war outbreak in 2022 has inadvertently given Chinese airlines a competitive edge. Chinese carriers are expanding their international networks, capitalizing on their ability to overfly Russia, which helps them maintain lower operational costs.

Air China (CA) and its Chinese counterparts have increased their market share on international routes, while foreign airlines have reduced their operations to China. For instance, Chinese airlines have increased their flights to Europe by 74% since the summer of 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Further, according to a recent OAG estimate, Chinese airlines will have frequencies in summer 2024 that are more than 50% higher than those in summer 2023 in seven out of nine regional markets.

Secondly, the economic slowdown in China and the growing preference for domestic travel have significantly contributed to the decline in demand for flights to China from Western countries. This shift in consumer behavior has led airlines like Qantas (QF), VS and now BA to suspend or reduce their flights to China, citing weak demand and commercial reasons.

Lastly, political tensions and regulatory changes have impacted flight operations. For example, flights between India and China have not resumed due to a border dispute, and flights between China and the U.S. remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels due to suspended agreements and competitive concerns.