United Airlines CEO worries about rivals crossing Russia. On the sidelines of an aviation conference in Istanbul, United Airlines (UAL.O) CEO Scott Kirby told reporters that competing airlines flying over Russia is a huge issue.
Kirby is concerned about American Airlines flying over Russia and diverting to a Russian airport due to medical or technical issues.
What happens if a plane with famous Americans lands in Russia? That might cause trouble. He suggested solving it before the crisis.
In retaliation for Washington prohibiting Russian aircraft from the U.S. in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russia has prevented the U.S. and other foreign carriers from flying over its airspace.
United Airlines was obliged to temporarily prohibit flying across Russian airspace, joining other major U.S. carriers, affecting its ability to offer competitive non-stop flights to India and other destinations.
“It’s clearly a big impact to us,” Kirby said, highlighting United’s several daily flights to India before the outbreak. “Now we fly one and it’s an extra two hours,” he added, adding that it cannot fly the other routes non-stop.
“That’s disappointing,” he said. Air India, Gulf, Chinese, and African carriers operate over Russian airspace, reducing flight times.
On June 1, Reuters reported that Chinese airlines’ newly approved US-bound flights skirted Russian airspace.
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